The Van Buren press., 1878-06-04

All nations have word that means
prayer. Prayer Of some sort forms a
part of worship everywhere. But is it
of the right kind? Is it prayer2 Too
many, it may be said: /" Ye ask aud re-
ceive not. because you ask amiss."
The postures 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 played. and
God added fifteen years to his life. The
Pharissees stood at the corners of the
street and prayed and were not heard.
The publican stood "afar orr from the
rest, in the temple, and prayed, and was
heard. Weought to assume posture of
reverence. Kneeling is very proper
posture. But tue 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 nru right VI rons. 0.r
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
orplace. We ought to be as much alone
as we can when VIC offer our secret
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 will hear prayer does
not depend on its being long or short.
are not forbidden, but /" vain
are. The publican's prayer
was short and was not heard. The Pha
risee's was long and good for nothing.
Still prayers may be too Ions. LET thy
words be few
But we ask amiss when we do not
really wish for the things we ask for.
This ia hooking God. Yet fear many
do it. Augustine says, that at one time
he prayed to be preserved from par
ticular 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 pray
ers. When we send letter TO q friend,
we look for an answer until one comes.
So if we are in good earnest when we
pray, we will at last cry out; 80 Lord,
how long?'
II 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 OBJ
tain 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. If
you wish God to pardon you, must
not hate those who have done you hiram.
(" If ye forgive not men their trerpasses,
neither will your heavenly Father for
give you your trespasscs."
We ask amiss, when we are not will
ing 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 do what God tells us, and try to
avoid sin, we will uot be made holy. We
must, in our hearts, hate all sin. If we
would have our prayers heard. IF /
regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will
not hear 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"
" c ask amss, when we do not ask in
faith. He that cometh to God must
believe that Ha is, and that He is the
re warter Of them that diligently seek
Him. Without faith it is Impossible to
please him. We must see to 1t that We
have faith in God. aud that we believe
in Jesus. We must ask all in the name
Of Christ. He is worthy. He says, Z" if
ye ask anything in My 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, "Ask and it.
shall be given you; seek, and We shall
ind; knock, and it shall be opened unto
you"
The leeks in the market are very invi-
ing but when you sit clost to your girl
md have the aroma Of an onion patch
waited through your moustaehe, you feel