Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1878-05-16
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How to Pray Alright.


prayer. Prayer of some sort forms
part of worship everywhere. But is it
of the right kind9 Is it prayer? To
many it might be said: eye ask and re-
ceive not, because ye ask amfss."
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. Hezekiah lay in his bed with his
face toward the wall, and prayed, and
God added fifteen years to his life. The
Pharfsees stood at the corners of the street
and prayer, and were not heard. The pub
ican stood afar off from the rest, in the
temple, and prayed, and was heard. We
ought to assume a posture of reverence.
Kneeling is 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 anv time or
place. We ought to be as much alone as
we can, when we offer our secret prayers.
But is it right to unite with others in So
cial 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
Repetitions are not forbidden, but ssvain
repetitions' 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 the words
be few"
But we ask amiss, when we do not real
ly wish for the things we ask for. This
is mocking God. Yet 1 fear many do it.
Augustine says, that at one time he pray
ed to be preserved from a particular sin,
''but not YETI 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 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: ''OLord, how long ?''
If we would get what we ask, we must
be careful to do to others as we ask God
to do 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. If you wish God to pardon you,
you must not hate those who have done
yon harm. eff we forgive not men their
trespasses, neither will your heavenly
Father forgive your trespasses.''
| We ask amiss, when we are not willing
to do what God requires. A man NAV
pray for good harvest, yet if he sows nc
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 not be made holy. We must
in our hearts hate all sin, if we would
have our prayers heard. eff 1 regard
iniquity in my heart, the Lord will no
hear me.''
We ask aniss, when we think hard o1
God for not giving US at once all we asl
for. We must be patient, and wait Hi
time. ''I waited patiently for the Lord
and He inclined unto me and heard N!
) cry
We ask amiss, when we do not ask il
faith. che that cometh to God must be
lieve that He is, and that He is the re
warder of them that diligently see
: Him." Without faith it is impossible t
please Him. We must see that we hav
faith in God, and that we believe in Jesus
We must ask all in the name of Christ
! He is worthy. He says, eff ye ask any
thing in My name, will do it, An
our hearts must be in our prayers.
If we ask Alright, we shall get what W
ask. For Christ has said, ''Ask, and
shall be gwen you; seek, and ye sha
find; knock, and it shall be opened uni
you. .''-ERgltsh Paper.