Would men but constantly observe this direction, and when their ministers are praying in their name to GOD, humbly beseech him to perform all their petitions: or, when they are speaking in GOD’s name to them, pray that the Holy Ghost may fall on all them that hear the word; we should find a more visible good effect of their doctrine, and a greater mutual love between ministers and their people. For ministers hands would then be held up by the people’s intercessions, and the people will never dare to villify or traduce those who are the constant subjects of their prayers.
4. Next to our ministers, _our friends_ claim a place in our intercessions; but then we should not content ourselves with praying in general terms for them, but suit our prayers to their particular circumstances. When _Miriam_ was afflicted with a leprosy from GOD, _Moses_ cried and said, “LORD, heal her.” And when the nobleman came to apply to JESUS CHRIST, in behalf of his child, he said, “LORD, my little daughter lieth at the point of death, I pray thee to come and heal her.” In like manner, when our friends are under any afflicting circumstances, we should endeavour to pray for them, with a particular regard to those circumstances. For instance, is a friend sick? we should pray, that if it be GOD’s good pleasure, it may not be unto death; but if otherwise, that he would give him grace so to take his visitation, that, after this painful life ended, he may dwell with him in life everlasting. Is a friend in doubt in an important matter? we should lay his case before GOD, as _Moses_ did that of the daughters of _Zelophehad_, and pray, that GOD’s Holy Spirit may lead him into all truth, and give all seasonable direction. Is he in want? we should pray, that his faith may never fail, and that in GOD’s due time he may be relieved. And in all other cases, we should not pray for our friends only in generals, but suit our petitions to their particular sufferings and afflictions; for otherwise, we may never ask perhaps for the things our friends most want.
It must be confessed, that such a procedure will oblige some often to break from the forms they use; but if we accustom ourselves to it, and have a deep sense of what we ask for, the most illiterate christian will not want proper words to express themselves.
We have many noble instances in holy scripture of the success of this kind of particular intercession; but none more remarkable than that of _Abraham_’s servant, in the book of _Genesis_, who being sent to seek a wife for his son _Isaac_, prayed in a most particular manner in his behalf. And the sequel of the story informs us, how remarkably his prayer was answered. And did christians now pray for their friends in the same particular manner, and with the same faith as _Abraham_’s servant did for his master; they would, no doubt, in many instances, receive as visible answers, and have as much reason to bless GOD for them, as he had. But
5. As we ought thus to intercede for our friends, so in like manner must we also pray for _our enemies_. “Bless them that curse you, (says JESUS CHRIST) and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Which commands he enforced in the strongest manner by his own example: in the very agonies and pangs of death, he prayed even for his murderers, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!” This, it must needs be confessed, is a difficult duty, yet not impracticable, to those who have renounced the things of this present life, (from an inordinate love of which all enmities arise) and who knowing the terrible woes denounced against those who offend CHRIST’s little ones, can, out of real pity, and a sense of their danger, pray for those by whom such offences come.
6. Lastly, and to conclude this head, we should intercede for all that are any ways _afflicted_ in mind, body, or estate; for all who desire, and stand in need of our prayers, and for all who do not pray for themselves.
And Oh! that all who hear me, would set apart some time every day for the due performance of this most necessary duty! In order to which,
I shall now proceed,
III. To shew the advantages, and offer some considerations to excite you to the practice of daily intercession. And