The Pulpit Commentary — Psalms — Volume 2 — Section 61

that before was dead in sine is quickened to the new life of love and holiness. Cbri~t•s rule ever tendR to the well-being of bis people. II. THAT WUERE THERE IS LIFE THERE WILL BE PRAYER. The first sign of infant life is breathing; and the first sign of the soul's life is the breathing of prayer to God. The life within expresses itself in accordance with its nature an,l needR. The mind that hns light cries for more light; the conscience, awakened to a sense of sin, seeks deliverance; the heart that has been touched with the love of God yearns for more love and nearer fellowship. So it was with Paul. "Behold, he prayeth I" and so onward, through all the toils and struggles of his noble life, be continued instant in prayer. Ill. 'l'HAT WHERE THERE 1B PRAYER THE SUPREME DESIRE WILL BE THE GLORY OF CHRIST, Self will be lost in love. Concern about ourselves will be merged in concern for the glory of Christ our Lord. "Prayer shall be made f(YT' him." 1. F(YT' his cause. What interests him will interest us; what lies nearest his heart Mll be nearest ours. There is unity of life. 2. For his people. He identifie~ himself with them, He regards what is done to them as done to himself. When "prayer was made of the Church" for Peter, they were, in a sense, making prayer for Christ. Our sympathies should be as broad as the sympathies of Christ. 3. For his second wmin!J. His first coming was the hope of Israel ; his second coming is the hope of the Church of the gospel (Rev. xxii. 20; Titus ii. 13). "Prayer for Christ" increases our love to him, binds us in closer union with the brethren, and enables us to transmit the blessed hope to future generations. Think of the prayers made every Lor~'s day! What cau,;e for thankfulness and joy! Yea, " daily" prayer shall be ma<1e till prayer is consummated in praise.-W. F.