Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-29
How to Pray Alright.

All nations have a 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 it might be said
" "Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask
amiss."
The postures which we use will not make
us to be heard, nor cause us to fail to be
heard. David lay on the ground and prayed
all night for his child but it died Heze-
kiah lay in his bed with his face turned
towards the wall, and prayed, and God added
fifteen years to his life. The Pharisees
stood at the corners of the street and prayed,
and were not heard The publican stood
afar off " from the rest, in the temple, and
prayed, and was heard. We ought to as
sume posture of reverence Kneeling is a
very proper posture. But the posture may
be right and 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. 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
il 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 will hear prayer does not
depend on its being long or short. Repeti-
tons are not forbidden, but swain repeti-
tons" are. The publican's prayer was
short and was heard. The Pharisee's was
long and good for nothing. Still prayers
may be too long. "Let thy words be few"
But we ask amiss when we do not really
wish for the things we ask for. This is
knocking God. Yet ! fear many do it, Au-
gustine says that at one time he prayed to
be preserved from particular sin, but not
yet" See to it that you truly desire what
you ask for.
We also ask amiss, when we do not look
and long for an answer to our prayers.
When we send letter TO a friend, we look
for answer until one comes. So if we are
in good earnest when we pray, we will at
Inst cry out, 30 Lord, how longP
If we would get what we ask, we must be
careful to do to others as we ask God to do
To us. If you would obtain mercy from
God be careful to show mercy to all around
you. If you ask God to make you happy,
try to make every one around you happy.
IL you WISH bOtt W louj yOu
not hate those who have done you harm
d IF We forgive not men their trespasses,
Neither will your heavenly Father forgive
you your trespasses."
We ask amiss when we are not willing to
do what God requires. A man may pray
for good harvest, yet if he sows no seed
the rich harvest will not come. We may
ask to be made holy, but if we will not dc
what God tells us and try to avoid sin, we
will not be made holy. We must in oul
hearts hate all sin, if we would have oul
prayers heard. "If regard iniquity in my
heart, the Lord will not hear me-
| We ask amiss when we think hard Of Goo
for not giving us at once all we ask for. w,
must be patient, and wait his time. g.
waited patiently for the Lord, and he in
dlined unto me and heard my cry"
We ask amiss when we do not ask il
faith. :" He that cometh to God must be
heve that he is, and that he is the rewarde
Of them that diligently seek him." With
out faith it is impossible to please him
We must see to it that we have faith il
God, and that we believe in Jesus. w
must ask all in the name of Christ. lie i
worthy. He says, If ye ask anything il
my name, will do it," And our heart
must be in our prayers.
If we ask Alright, we shall get what W
ask. For Christ has said, Ask, and
shall be given you seek, and ye shall find
knock, and it shall be opened unto you."-
EnOlish Md1dzine.