In conclusion, we would suggest a few hints respect- ing the manner in which you should obey the admonition in the text. Remember her,
» Rev. xviii. 4. k 2 Pet. ii. 18, 20. and iii. 17.
1 Jude, ver. 5. 1 Cor. x. 1—6, 11, 12.
1. With thanksgivings to God, that you have not long since experienced a similar judgment
2. With 'prayer to God, that he would " keep you by his own power through faith unto everlasting sal- vation "
Luke xviii. 1. Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.
THE efficacy of prayer is continually exhibited in the sacred writings, and every incitement to it is afforded us : nevertheless we are prone to faint in the performance of it. To encourage our perseverance in it our Lord delivered a parable. Waving all notice of the parable itself, we shall consider,
I. Our duty —
To be always in the act of prayer would interfere with other duties : that which is here inculcated, implies that we pray,
Statedly —
[Regular seasons for prayer should be fixed. Except in cases of absolute necessity3 they should be adhered to. We should constantly acknowledge God in the public assembly*. We should maintain his worship also in our families* ; nor should we on any account omit it in our closetsA.]
Occasionally —
[There are many particular occasions which require us to
a Matt. ix. 13. f Heb. x. 25.
K Abraham and Joshua were noted for their attention to family religion, Gen xviii. 19. Josh. xxiv. 15 : and our Lord's example is worthy of imitation ; he not only expounded his parables to his dis- ciples in private, but prayed with them. See Luke ix. 18. which means, " he was at a distance from the multitude, and praying with his disciples."
1 How frequent the stated seasons shall be, must be left to our own discretion; David's example is good, Ps. lv. 17. But as the morning and evening sacrifices were called the continual burnt-offer- ing, so they may be said to pray always, who pray at those returning seasons.