Instead of dilating much on the circumstances of this instructive history, we have merely glanced at them, that we may more largely dwell upon, II. The instruction to be gathered from it —
h ver. 19. ' ver. 15. k ver. 19.
1 ver. 17. m ver. 24 — 2".
Behold then here,
1. The nature of prayer —
[Prayer is an application of the soul to God for some desired blessing. But it will be proper distinctly to notice its constituent parts.
There must be, in the first place, a just apprehension of the Divine perfections. If we view not God as a Being of infinite majesty, and holiness and power, we shall not approach him with that reverential fear that becomes us : and if his goodness, and mercy, and truth, and faithfulness be not borne in mind, we shall be destitute of all those encouragements that are necessary for the support of our souls. The greatest of men must never for a moment forget the former, nor the vilest of men the latter. Abraham, Moses, Job, Isaiah, were all abased, as it were, in dust and ashes, by their discoveries of God ; whilst, on the other hand, the very murderers of the Lord of Glory had in one moment their terrors dissipated, and their souls revived, by a single glimpse of God, as reconciled to them in Christ Jesus. A partial view of God will lead either to despondency or presumption ; but a just view of him will call into exercise all the best feelings of the heart, combining activity with confidence, and fear with love11
Next, there must be a contrite sense of our ovm extreme unworthiness. No prayer can come up with acceptance before God, which does not proceed from a broken and contrite spirit, Angels who have never fallen may offer praises without any other kind of humiliation than that which proceeds from a sense of their utter meanness and insignificance ; but a sinner, though redeemed, must never forget that he is a sinner, or neglect to blend contrition even with his most exalted services. In heaven itself the redeemed cast their crowns before the Saviour's feet, in acknowledgment that they receive them altogether from him, and that they desire to wear them only for the advancement of his glory °
Connected with our contrition there must be an earnest pleading with God. This is the very soul of prayer. True it is, that God does not need to be prevailed upon by our impor- tunity, as though he were of his own nature backward to assist us; for to exercise mercy is his delight: but he requires im- portunity in us, as the means of exciting in our hearts, and of evidencing in our prayers, a deep sense of our need of mercy p
n Here a distinct view may be taken of all the perfections before mentioned.
0 Here the nature of real humiliation may be more fully traced, in reference to that of Daniel.
P This also may be briefly illustrated.
1139. J THE ANSWER TO daniel's TRAYER. 561
But that which gives to prayer its chief efficacy is, a humble affiance in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our blessed Lord tells us, that "whatever we ask in his name we shall receive." It is his mediation alone that procures acceptance for our prayers : and then only do they come up with a sweet odour before God, when they are presented in his censer, and are perfumed with the incense of his prevailing intercession*1.]
2. Its efficacy when duly offered —
[God will not cast out the prayer of faith : but his answers to it shall be sure, speedy, and effectual. " Never said he to any, Seek ye my face, in vain :" and the accumulation of pro- mises which he has given us on this subject, leaves us no room to doubt, but that he will grant us, in answer to our prayers, such blessings as he knows to be best for usr. If he give us not the thing we asked for, he will give us that which on the whole is far better, and which, if we had known what was best for us as he does, we should have asked. The time previous to his answer may appear to our impatient minds long : but his answers shall not be protracted beyond the fittest season. The parable of the unjust judge shews us how the impor- tunate widow prevailed at last : and the instruction which God founds upon it is this : " Shall not God avenge his own elect, who cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them ? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily," i. e. as speedily as will conduce to their greatest benefit. Moreover, his answers shall be commensurate with all our necessities. However " wide we open our mouth, he will fill it." David says, "I cried to the Lord ; and the Lord heard me at large ." thus will he hear us at large, " supplying all our wants accord- ing to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus," and " giving us exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think."]