JANUARY 27 - PRAYER

"And Jesus said unto them, when ye pray, say, Our Father,

which art in heaven," &e.—Luke x1. 2.

Faith in the heart excites prayer from the lips. So the faith

of God’s elect manifests itself, It cometh from the Lord, the Spirit.

By it the soul is led to Jesus the mediator; and by Him to God the

Father. So each person in the Godhead is known, worshipped, and

glorified by believing souls. While we see and feel nothing of our

misery and wants, no marvel prayer is an irksome task. From a

sight of ourselves, and the knowledge of Jesus, we come to him

daily with simplicity of heart, Master, teach us to pray. It is the

highest honor, the sweetest privilege, the most blessed exercise of

the soul to draw nigh to God. What greater on earth than to come

to the throne of the King of kings? And that fear and shame may

not beset and keep us back, knowing our vile nature and sinful

practice, hear our Lord and Saviour’s encouraging direction, “When

ye pray, say, Our Father,” &c.

And can it be, that I, a child of wrath by nature, a son of perdition by sin, a vassal and slave of Satan by practice, and accursed by the holy law ; can it be that God will own me; hear me, and bless me as his child? Yes, grace triumphs over nature’s deserts; love glories

over creature’s demerits. The lips of truth have said it, and who

shall dare reverse it? By the sword of the Spirit slay the unbelief

of thy heart. What Jesus hath taught his disciples to call God, that

he is to them. As Jesus is the Saviour of all men who believe, so God is the Universal Creator of all; but in an especial manner, the Father of all the dear members of his beloved Son. A Father by covenant love, by election of grace — by precious promise—by strict justice. A Father in holiness and truth, because of the suretyship of Jesus—the righteousness of Jesus — the atonement of Jesus—the holiness of Jesus. And the weakest, feeblest member in the faith of Christ, possesseth Jesus, with all his blessings, as man and mediator. Hence God is their Father: He loveth them with complacency and delight. The paternal affections of his heart yearn over them.  Children’s hearts should continually be drawn out to their Father in holy affection, fervent desires, and humble confidence. Nothing doubting, but gathering all confidence of hope, as being taught by Jesus, “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him,” Eph. iii. 12.