pray : in prosperity, that God may counteract its evil tendency e : in adversity, that we may be supported under itf: in times of public distress or danger, to avert the calamity g.]
Habitually —
[We should maintain a spiritual frame of mind. We may have a disposition for prayer in the midst of business ; nor will secret ejaculations prevail less than solemn devotions11.]
To pray thus is our duty ; " We ought/' &c.
It is a duty we owe to God —
[He, our Creator, Preserver, and Redeemer, has com- manded it ; nor can any thing absolve us from our obligation to obey.]
We owe it also to our neighbour —
[The edification of Christ's mystical body depends, not only on the union of every part with the head, but on the whole being fitly framed together, and on every joint supplying its proper nourishment'. But if we be remiss in prayer, we shall be incapable of administering that benefit, which other members have a right to expect from usk.]
We owe it to ourselves —
[A " spirit of supplication" is as necessary to the soul, as food to the body ; nor can we feel any regard for our souls, if we do not cultivate it.]
It is, however, by no means easy to fulfil this duty —
II. The difficulties that attend it —
When we set ourselves to the performance of it, we shall find difficulties —
Before we begin to pray —
[Worldly business may occupy, or worldly amusements dissipate, our thoughts. Family cares may distract our minds, and family disagreements indispose us for this holy employ- ment1. Lassitude of body may unfit us for the necessary exer- tions. We may be disabled by an invincible hardness of heart. A want of utterance may also operate as a heavy discouragement.
e Our liturgy teaches us to pray, in all time of our wealth. See Prov. xxx. 9.
f Jam. v. 13. e 2 Chron. vii. 14.
ll Compare 2 Sam. xv. 31. with 2 Sam. xvii. 14, 23. See also Neh. ii. 4, 6.
i Eph. iv. 16. Col. ii. 19.
k Samuel had a deep conviction of this truth ; 1 Sam. xii. 23.
1 1 Pet. iii. 7.