PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

200 lJuty and Ejficacy of Prayer"
Divine worship is made up of adoration, than"ksgiving
and prayer. But, as what we have to offer con·
cerning the two former, may be observed of prayer,
we shall make that the title of the following Chapters,
and the direct subject of our consideration.
Cl:fAPl ~·R
II.
OF l'I-JE DUTY AND OF rrHE EFFICACY 01~
PRAYER .. SO FAR AS "1~HE S~~lVIE AP­
PEAR FROM rr'HE_ I~IGHT OF NArl~Ul~E.
'~HEN one man desires to obtain any thing
of another, he betakes himself to entreaty: and this
may be observed of mankind in an ages and countries
of the world. Now \vhat is universal, may be calied
Ilatural; and it seems probable, that God, as Otlr supreme
governor, should expect that towards himself,
which,by a natural impulse, or by the irresistible order
of onr constitution~ he has prompted us to pay to every
.other being on whom we depend.
The salne may be said of tharlksgi~ving.
Prayer likewise is necess:lry to keep up in the minds
of mankind a sense of God's agency in the universe,
and of their own dependency UpOll binl.
Yet after all, the duty of prayer depends upon its
efficacy: for I confess myself unable to conceive, how
any man can pray, or be obliged to pray, who ex ..
pects nothing from his prayers; but who is persuaded
at the time he utters his request, that it cannot
pos!-!bly produce the smallest impre~sion upon the Bc ..
ing to whom it is addressed, or advantage to himself.
Now the efficacy of prayer importR, that we obtain
something in consequence of praying, which we
should not have received without prayer; ag~jnst all
expectation of which, the following objection has
been often and seriousl y alleged. "If it be most