The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1878-05-30
How 60 Pray ArIgn..

All nations have q word that means
prayer. Prayer of some sort forms a
part of worship everywhere. But is it of
the right kind Is it prayer To many,
il may be said : 20 Ye ask and receive
not, because We ask amiss."
The p0stures which we use will not
make us to be heard, or cause us to fail
to be heard. David lay on the ground
and prayed all night for his child, but it
died. Hezekiah 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 alar Ctf' from the
rest. in the temple, and prayed, and was
heard. We ought to assume posture OF
reverence. Kneeling is a very proper
posture. But the posture may be right
an the prayer worthless.
So 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. OuI
words may be very poor, and yet Goo
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 along
as We can, when we offer our secret
prayers. But it is right To unite with
/ others in social and public prayers in oui
/ houses and in the house OF God, on the
/ Lords day and on all DAYS.
/ Whether God will hear prayer doe
not depend on its being long or short
Repetitions are not forbidden, but " vaiI
repetitions" are. The publican's prayer
was short and was heard. The Pharisee'
was long, and good for nothing. Still
prayers may be too long. Let THY
words be few"
But we ask amiss when we do no
req lily wish for the things we ask for
This is mocking God. Yet fear many
/ do it. Augustine Gays, that at one tins
he prayed to be preserved from a par
ticular sin, " but not yet" See to i
/ that you truly desire what you ask for
We also ask amiss, when we do no
/ look and long fer an answer to our pray
ers. When we send q letter to a friend
/ we look for an answer until one omes
/ So if we are in good earnest when VI
pray, We will at last cry out 4" o Lord
how long? ?"
If we would get what we ask, W,
ask God to do to US. If you would Oh
J
show mercy to sll around you. If yoI
ask God TO make you happy, try u
make every one around you happy. ]
you wish God to pardon you, you mus
not hate those who have done you harm
6 If ye forgive not men their trespasses
neither will your heavenly Father for
give you your tTespasses."
We ask amiss, when we are not willin
to do what God requires. A man ma,
pray for good harvest, yet if he sows n
seed, the rich harvest Will not come
We may ask to be made holy, but if W
will not do what God tells us and try t
avoid sin, we will not be made holy
We must in our hearts hate all sin,
we would have orr prayers heard. 81
| regard iniquity in nay heart, the Lor
will not hear me-"
We ask amiss, when we think hard {
God for not giving as at once all we asi
tor. We must be patient, and wait Hi
time. waited patiently for the Lord
and He inclined unto me and heard m
cry."
We ask amiss, when we do not ask i
faith. He that cometh to God mus
believe that He is, and that He is tn
rewarder of them that diligently see
Him" Without faith it is impossible 1
please Him. We must see to it that W
have faith in God, and that we believ
in Jesus, We must ask all In the nam
of Christ He is worthy. He says, "
ye ask anything in My name, will d
it." And our hearts must be in GU
prayers.
If we ask Alright, we shall get what W
ask. For Christ has said, '' Ask, and
shall be given you; seek, and We sha
find knock, and it shall be opened unit
you