The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1878-09-12

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aud efficacy Of bis prayer. said Lord,
teach Us to pray, Is John also taught
bis Disciples and be was not indiffer
eat 70 such request. Prayer is au
especial duty and privilege Of bis rsli,
/ gion, aud one principal means Of eE.
tending bis kingdom among men. he
therefore gave TO his disciples that
comprehensive outline Of prayer which
is called by bis name and then, 10 our
lesson. he showed to them the necessi-
ty OF perseTering Importantly in ii.
PLAN or THE LESSON.
An illustration Of importantly. SIS.
The common experience in prayer.
9, 10.
Fathers give to their children. IL,
~
God will answer his children. 10.
The illustration il taken from the
common life and habits Of the OrientaIs
and the design is to inculcate earnest
aud persevsring prayer, by showing
how surely and readily God will an
swer The man in need goes 10 a
friend, To person disposed to iaver
him, even under announcement condi-
tions and at midnight, as from the
great beat in eastern countries during
the day, journeys were often made 10
the night and call at that hour
would not be strange to them as it
would be to us The traveller would
put up for the rest OF the night, or long
enough for rest aud refreshment; and
provision must be made for him, be.
cause the laws Of hospitality in ssch
case were strictly binding.
The leaves were thin barley cakes.
circular in shape, aad four or Eve inches
wide and each was sufficient for one
meal for a man. The lateness of the
hour prevented the purchase of bread
and the Jews were in the habit of bor-
rowing bread from one another, and
rules were laid down to regulate the
transaction The three loaves would
furnish one for bis guest, and more If
be were very hungry, one for bis own
use, TO break or TO eat with his friend,
and one for courtesy or ceremony and
to make bis hospitality appear album
dant
But his request for bread was not
Immediately granted. His friend an
swers from within, not even rising
from his bed. Trouble me not do not
so disturb aud vex me- The door is
now shut, fastened, barred or bolted
for the night; and my children are
with me 10 bed, are sleeping 10 the
same room with me as whole families
often slept ia one room, placing their
beds upon the floor or on the ground.
| cannot rise and give thee, at such In
conveoience--an utter Discrimination,
au inability only of will. And this an
swer was given to him by his friend,
and v hen he had nothing in his own
house for a creditabIe entertainment Of
his guest
This brings us to the chief point in
the illustration " s.. Importantly
was more powerful than the claims Of
friendship and Of hospitality combined;
and this quality IN prayer Christ illus.
.raicd and enforced by Tie parable. |
He will arise making every required 1
sacrifice and give him rs many as be
Aeedetb "a full supply So will our
heavenly Father de for US. when adj /
dressed In frequent, earnest. and undis-
Outraged prayer. for that 10 importu.
nate prayer with which be il ever well
pleased Nor does be delay To answer,
except that be may do US more good ia .
the end He would strengthen appre-
citation and desire. and that longing
which caunot be satisfied without the
answer Tor they make us Ct TO re-
ceive. lie froucs us; bot be himself
knows what be will do John vi: 81.
The common experience in prayer
10. l0 Our Lord now applies the
parable II an unwilling neighbor
yields TO Importantly 10 a request. how
much more will our Father 10 heaven
ialdil the earnest petitions Of his own
children This man gave. bot not wIih
perfect willingness God also gives.
add with an infaite readiness and
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