The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1878-06-07


All nations have a word that means
prayer. PRAYER of some sort forms a
part OF worssssr.yery where. Butts 1t OF
the right Xxi - It prayer? To many,
it may - nYe ask and receive
make us Is1r cause US to fail
to be helrd5 : 20 lay on the ground
and proved slysght for his child, but it
died. HezeLiah lay in his bed with his
face toward the wall, and prayed, and
God added fifteen years to his life. The
Pharisees stood at the corners of the
street end prayed and were not heard.
The publican stood " altar off" from the
re It, in the temple, and prayed, and was
heard Wrought to assume posture OF
reverence. Kneeling is very proper
posture. But the posture may be right
AMI the prayer worthless.
50 we may use the words of scripture,
or we may use our own words, and we
shall be heard, or not heard. according
as our hearts are right or wrong. Our
words may be very poor, and yet God
may hear Us. Our words may be very
fine, and yet We may get no Blessing.
Neither is God confined to any time
or place. We ought to be as much alone
As we can, when we offer our secret
prayers. But it is right to unite with
Others in social and public prayers in our
houses and in the house OF God, on the
Lords day and on all days.
Whether God viii hear a prayer does
not depend on its being long or short.
Repetitions are not forbidden, but vain
e III
was short and was heard. The Pnarisee's
was long, and good for nothing. Still
prayers may he too long. Let thy
words be few"
But We ask amiss when we do not
re- lly wish for the things We ask for.
This IS knocking God. Yet / fear many
do it. Augustine says, that at one time
he prayed to be preserved from a par
ticular sin, "but not yet" See 20 il
tkat you truly desire what you ask Tor.
We also ask amiss, when we do not
look and long for an answer TO our pray
eTs. When we send q letter TO friend,
we look for an answer until one ONES
s. if we are in good earnest when we
pray, we will at last cry out " o Lord,
how leng"
II we would get what we asS, we
must be careiul to do to others az we
ask God to doto us. II you would OBJ
tain mercy nom God, be careful 30
show mercy teall around you. If you
ask God 10 make you happy, try 70
make every one around you happy. il
you wish Godto pardon you, you Inust
not hate those who have done you harm.
" If We forgive Got men their trespasses,
neither viii war heavenly Father for
give you yOurtrespasses."
we ask amiS, when We Gre not willing
to co what God requires. A man may
prsy for q good harvest, yet If he so@s no
seed, the rich harvest viii not come
We may ask 70 be made holy, but If we
will not do what God tells us and try to
avoid sin, we viii not be made holy
We must in our hearts hate all sin, II
we would have our prayers heard. Ii
1 regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord
viii not hesr me"
We ask amiss, when we think hard Of
God for not giving Us at once all we ask
for We must be patient, and wait His
time - waited patiently for the Lord,
and He inclined unto me and heard my
cry"
We ask amiss, when we do not ask in
faith. He that eometh TO God must
believe that He Is, ard thst He is the
rewarder of them that diligently seek
Him" Withoutfsithi it Is impossible to
please Him. We must see to it that we
have faith in God, and that We believe
in Jesus. We must AJAX all in the name
of Christ He is worthy. He says, II
We ask anything in Ny name, will do
it." And our hearts must be in our
prayers.
Ii we ask Alright, we shall get what we
ask. For Christ has said, 90 Ask, and it
shall be given you; seek, and ye shall
find knock, snd it shall be opened unto
you"