Rules for Prayer

    Ask in faith; with feeling and fervency; see Mark xi. 23. If the things we ask be absolutely promised, our faith must be absolute. If conditional, our faith must be so. Our fervency may exceed in temporal things. We must not say, " Give me children, or else I die;" but we may say, "Give me Christ, or else I die." Here we may be importunate: "I will not let thee go."

    Ask with a forgiving spirit; "without wrath and doubting." He that prays in malice gets nothing of God. Forgive, as you are and hope to be forgiven; see Mark xi. 25.

    Ask in sincerity and truth: "The Lord is nigh unto all that call upon him in truth." "Draw near with a true heart." Be sincere in your asking. Look at your end in all you do; particularly in your asking.

    Ask with submission and self-resignation. Our Lord Jesus has left us a pattern of this: "Not as I will." So Eli. So David. "Behold, here I am." Our heavenly Father knows what is good for us.

    Ask with patience and with perseverance. Though the answer do not come quickly, be willing to wait. Pray always, and "not faint." Make your "request known." Then go to your watch-tower, and wait for an answer; see Hab. ii. 1.

    Ask with praise and thanksgiving, with joy and praise. Take notice of your mercies. It is a mannerly way of begging.

    Ask, putting all into the hands of Christ our Mediator. For his sake alone expect the hearing of your prayers.