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

DUly Ilnd Efficacy cf Prayer. 267
~i'ttle rC\FElations, which we deem authentic, complete ..
ly supply this defect of natural religion. They r~quire
pra)'er to God as a duty: and they con tam
po~itive assuran.:es of its dficacy and acc~pt~ncc.
'Ve could have no reasonable il1oti\yc f()l- the exercise
of prayer, without belicxing that it may avail to
the relief CJf our \vants~ l~tJis belief can oilly be
founded, either in a sensible experience of the effect
of prayer, or in promises of acceptance signified by
divine authority. Our knowledge would have come
to us in the former way, less capable, indeed, of
doubt, but subjected to the abuses and inconveniences
briefly described above; in the latter way,·
that is, by authorized signitications of God':\ general
disposition to hear and answer the devout:::up!Jlication:;
of his creatures, \ve are eIicou '-aged to prz)~,
but fl0t to place such a dependence upon prayer, as
might relax other obligation~, or confo1J!1d the order
of events and humal1 expectations. ·
The scriptures not only affirm the propriety of
pnyer in general, but furnish precepts or examples
which justify some topic~ and s\.mle modes of prayer
that ha\Te been thought exceptionable. Alld as the
whole subjecr rests so much upon the foundation of
scriptutc, I ~hall put dO\Vll Jt l~'ngtll texts appl.!cable
to the five follo\\~iIlg heads; to the dut,,. and efficacy
• l
of praJer In general;. of IJrayer for
*,-
})articular fa--
vours by nalne; fc'r pllt,lic l1ational blessil1gs; of
interce~.;-ion for others; of the repetition of unsuccessful
prayer=-o
1. rl'exts enjoining pra)Tcr in general: "Ask, anli
it shall be given you; seek, anti ye s11all find." "If
yc, being evil, know how to [~i\'c good gifts unto
your children, how much more ~hall your Fathpr,
\vhich is in heaven, gi\re good tlliI1 0 ·S to them that
k h
- "'J t>
a~· 1m r' "Watch ye, therefore, and pray always,
that ye may be accounted worth y to escape all those
things that shaH come to pass, and to stand before
t he Son of Man." "Serving the Lord, rejoicing in
hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in 'pray-