their wants before him in prayer, assuring them, that they shall never apply to him in vain.
Let us consider, I. The promise here given us —
A gracious answer to our prayers is here promised to us,
1. Individually —
[Supposing that two persons, feeling deeply in their own souls their spiritual wants, agree to spread those wants before God in prayer, and to implore help from him ; our Lord assures them, that they shall obtain what they ask for, at the hands of a gracious God and Father. True indeed, each person asking for himself, is encouraged to expect from God a supply of all needful blessings : but a particular assurance is given where two persons unite in prayer ; because, by the agreement which is entered into between them respecting the blessings they shall ask, there is a more ample acknowledgment of God's power and grace than is usually found in the petitions of a single individual, and at the same time a more enlarged exercise of faith atid hope. Only conceive of them as agreeing respecting the extreme pressure of their wants, and the utter incapacity of any creature to relieve them — then, respecting the condescen- sion and grace of God, who is both able and willing to supply all their need — and, lastly, as encouraging each other to expect from God the fulfilment of all his promises — and you will see immediately what reason there is for them to expect an answer to their united prayers, beyond what there would be to the petitions of a solitary individual.
Of course, the promise here given can relate only to those things which, when bestowed, will promote the best interests of the petitioners, and the honour of Almighty God. But with this only limitation, they may " open their mouths as wide as they will, and God will fill them."]
2. Collectively —
[In the house of God we are to assemble " in the name of Jesus Christ;" that is, in obedience to him as our Lord, and in dependence on him as our Saviour. The whole Church ought, from time to time, to assemble for prayer : but, even if there be only two or three in number, they shall not on that account lose the blessings which they implore. God will honour the ordinances of his own appointment, and confer on his waiting people all the blessings which they stand in need
of ]
Such is the promise of God to his Church and people: to estimate which aright, we should mark