with it : and it will naturally lead us to set before you the nature, the importance, and the efficacy of prayer.
I. Its nature —
Prayer is not indeed defined in the words before us ; but we may collect from the different terms by which it is designated, what are its inseparable atten- dants and its characteristic marks :
1. Earnest desires —
[The words, " ask," " seek," " knock," must certainly imply a solicitude to obtain some specific object. Now this is the very life and essence of prayer. It is not the posture of the body, or a repeating of any words, either with or without a form, that can be called prayer ; but a prostration of the soul before God, accompanied with an ardent desire of acceptance with him. We may confess our vileness in the most humiliating terms, or petition for mercy with the most suitable pleas, or render thanks to God in copious and devout acknowledg- ments; and yet, if our hearts have not felt what our lips have uttered, we have offered no acceptable service to God: " we have worshipped him in vain, because we have drawn nigh to him with our lips when our hearts were far from him." Desires in the soul will be accounted as prayer, though not expressed in words ^; but words without desires are no better than a solemn mockery.]
2. Persevering endeavours —
[A mere exclamation under an impression of terror cannot be considered as prayer: prayer imports such a desire after divine blessings as engages us in the pursuit of them from day to day: and this also is intimated in the very terms of our text. " Asking" only is not prayer, unless we " seek" also for the things in God's appointed way: nor is " seeking" sufficient, if we do not, like persons anxious to obtain an answer, continue " knocking" at the door of mercy. We do not indeed deny but that a prayer may be offered by one who speedily turns back again from God; but it is not accepted; and it is of acceptable prayer that we speak ; for nothing else deserves the name of prayer. Whatever therefore a person may do on some particular occasion, he prays not to any good purpose, unless he " set his face" determinately to seek after God, and to obtain from him those daily supplies of mercy and grace which his soul needeth. Hence the command of God is, " Pray without ceasing;" "Continue instant in prayer;" " Pray with all prayer
^ Isai. xxvi. 8, 9. Ps. xxxviii. 9. Rom. viii. 2(3.