The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-04-29
Moral and Religious.
IMuST PRAY MORE.


Ihabitually feel this necessity, bn, the other day
the conviction came 10 my mind with strange power,
and said with greater emphasis than ever, must
trdu more, II struck me with indescribable wonder
that so little time should be employed, and 80 little
energy expended in prayer, even by those who arc
prompt TO acknowledge its dignity rs privilege, and
its efficacy n means of obtaining good II Is not
now as it was in pntriOrcha times, We do not pray
as Jacob did. He wrested until the breaking of the
day Yes his praying is wrestling, and il lasted all
night. We put forth no such power in prayer and
we do not nlow the repose of our nights 10 be inter
rupted by it, 1t is not because wants are all sup
piled that we arc so feeble and briefn prayer nor is
|, TINT Gods bounty is exhausted We are as poor
ms creatures ever were, and He as rich and munif-
cent as ever His hand is not shortened, neither his
ear heavy.
Only think how small portion of zach successive
day is spent in prayer. | wonder if any Christian
ever thought Of it without being so dissatisfied to
resolve that he would spend more time in praying the
next day. Just add together the minutes you daily
occupy in supplicuton, and the kindred exercises OF
devotion, scriplural reading ard meditation, and SEQ
to whit il will amount. Win the sum total be one
hour? What less Than an hour day in devotion?
not one twenty fourth part Of time And is this all
which can be afforded
Is there any thing attended by purer pleasure
than prayer One who knew said, "It is good for
I'M to draw nigh TO God" and again, alt is good to
sing praises unto our God for it is pleasant, and
praise is comey' All the exercises of devotion ale
full Of pleasure MS they nre abundant in profit
But prayer is not only means of getting good. IT
is such means OF doing good that wonder our be-
nevolenee does not lead us to pray more. We are
commanded, "as we have opportunity" to do COED
unto all men. Now prayer affords us the opportunity
of being universal beneacors' Through God we can
reach all men, We make ourselves felt by all
the world, by moving the hand that movesit In
other way can we reach all. Prayer makes us, in a
omnipresent and omniPoten, II prevails with
Him who is both
The world needs your intercessions. 1t lies in
wickedness Zion needs them. Shelanguishes he
cause few pray for her peace few come TO her SOL
smn assemblies. Whose family needs not the pray
ers Of its every member Who has not kindred
,ha, ure out of Christ? With such a call upon for
prayer, so urgent and from so many quarters,
der we pray no more.
must pray more for then shall do more-more
for God, and more for myself for find that when
accomplish in the brieler intervals between my
devotions, than when give all my time to labor or
study, am convinced there is nothing lost by pray
er. am sure nothing helps student like prayer
His fecitous hours-his hours of most successful ap
plica,ion to study, ARE those which Immediately follow
his OF most fervent devotion. And wonder
Shall the collision of created minds with each other
produce in them salutary excitement, and shall not
the communion OF those minds with the infinite intel
iigence much more excite them,and make them capa-
BILE of wider thought and lofier conceptions
must pray more, because other christians, whose
biography have read, have prayed more than | do
God is disposed 10 hear prayers from me
than offer and Jesus the mediator stands ready 10
present moro for
If pray more, ! shall sin less
wfH pray more, The Lord help me TO fulfill this
resolution.