Litchfield enquirer., 1829-05-14
17oag1ss en t1e Easre;se et Isoeiall'raye,
BY REV. JOHN NEWTON.

Bx REVe JOHN NEWIONs t
 account it great mercy, that at this time, when iniquity so generally abounds, there is number, I-hope growing num-. Der, whose eyes affect their hearts, and who are stirred up to unite in prayer fer the spread of Gospel knowledge, and bles- sing upon our sinful land. Meetings for social prayer are frequent in different parts of the kingdom, and amongst various de- nominations of Christians. As the Lord has promised, that when he prepares the heart to pray, he will graciously incline his ear to hear, who can tell but he may yet be entreated, for us, and avert the heavy and justly deserved judgments which seem to hang over ,us2
 1t is much to be desired that our hearts might beso affected with sense of divine things, and SO closely engaged when we arc worshipping God, that it might not be in the power of little circumstances to in- terrUpt and perplex us, and to make US thinksthe service wearisome, and the time which we employ in it tedious. Rut as our infirmities are many and great, and the enemy of our souls is watchful to dis compose us, if care is not taken by those who lead in social prayer, the exercise which is approved by the judgment, may become burden, and an occasion of sin. Complaints of this kind are frequent, and might, perhaps, be easily recti6ed if the persons chiefly concerned were spoken 10 in love. But us they are usually the last who hear of it, 1t may, perhaps, be of fser- vice to communicate . few remarks on n subject of much general concern.
 The chief fault ofsome good prayers is, !. that they are too long not that | think we should pray by the clock, and limit our- selves precicely to . certain number of minutes; but it is better of thetwo, that tho hearers should wish the prayer had bcen longer, than spend half or | considerable part of the time in wishing 1t was over. This is frequently owing to an unnecessary enlargement upon every circumstance that offers, as we'll us to the repetition of the a same things. If we have been copious in pleading for spiritual blessings, 1t may be best ko Dc brief and summary in the article ofintef efcession for others; or if the franc of our spirits, or the circumstances of af- fAirs, lead Us to be more large and partic- ular in laying the cases of others before the Lord. respAct should be had to this inten- tion in the iormerpart ofthe prayer. There are. doubtless, seasons when the Lord is ', pleased to favour those who pray with a peculiar liberty they speak because they feel; they have 9 wrestling spirit. and hardly know how 10 leave off Whom this E tha case, they who join with them are seIdon wearied, though tho prayer should he protracted something beyond the usual Iimils.A But believe it sometimes happens. bosh ip praying and in preaching, that we are apt to spin out our time to the greatest length. when we have in reality. the least to say. Long prayers should, in general, be avoided, especially where sew efal persons are to pray excessively; or else even spiritual heakeKz Mill Dc unable to keen up their attention. And here | would just notice an impropriety We san,es times meet with, that when person sI0es expectation that hc is just going 70 con- clu3e his prayer. something not thought of in its proper place occurring that instant to his mind, leads him, as it were. to begin a. gain. But unless 1t is a matter of singular importances t would be beuer omitted for that time.
 The prayers of some good men are more like preaching than praying. They rather express the Lords mind i0 the peo- pie, than she desires of the people to the Lord. Indeed this can hardly be called prayer. It might in another place stand 6or part of . good sermon; but will afford littis holp 10 thase who desire 10 pray wilh sheiE hoarts. Prayer should be senl8nlious and madsup ofblsa.hings to the Lord. ei-