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

~68 Duty and EjjICacy oj PUlyer.
~r." "Be careful for nothing, but in every thing
hy prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known unto God." "I will,
thorefore, that men pray every where, lifting up holy
hands without wrath and doubting." "Pray with.
out ceasing." l\iatt. vii. 7. 11. Luke xxi. 36. Ronl.
xii. 12. Phil. iv. 6.- 1 Thess. v. 17. 1 Tim. ii. 8.
Add to these, that Christ's reproof of the ostentation
and prolixity of pharisaical prayers, and his recom.
mendation to his disciples of retirement and simplicity
in theirs, together with his dictating a particular
fonn of prayer, all presuppose prayer to be an acceptable
and availing service. .
2. Examples of prayer for particular favours by
nalne: "FOle this thing (to \vit, SOOle bodily infirmity,
which he calls a (horn given him in the flesh)
I besought the Lord thrice that it might dep~trt fronl
me,," "Night and day praying exceedingly, that
we might see your face, and perfect that which is
lacking in your faith." 2 Cor. xii. 8. 1 Thess. iii. 10.
3. Directions to pray for national or public blessings:
"Pr[l~ffor the peace of Jerusalem." "Ask ye of
fhe Lord ram, in the time of the latter rain; so tIle
Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers
of rain, to everyone grass in the ficld." "I ex ..
hort, therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for
all Olen; for kings and for all that arc in authority,
· that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all god ..
liness atld honest}'; for this is good and acceptable
in the sight of God our Saviour." Psalm cxxii. 6.
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_. T· .. I:)
cc ... x. 1. 11m. 11. 1, __, S.
4. Exanlplcs of intercession and exhortations to
intercede for others: "And Moses besougllt the
Lord his God, and said, Lords why doth thy wrath
wax hot against thy people? Remember Abraham,
Isaac, arid Israel, thy servants. And the Lord re·
pented of the evil which he thought to do unto his
people.'" " Peter therefore was kept in prison, but
prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto