Encouragements to Prayer

    The precepts are," Ask," " Seek," " Call upon me." When God bids us seek him, he will not turn his back upon us. "Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee."

    The promise is, "It shall be given you." Nothing can be more plain or positive. The promise is express. What do we make of God? "Is he not faithful that has promised?" You will rely upon the word of an honest man; how much more should you upon the word of God. "He that believeth not hath made him a liar." He that believeth " sets to his seal that God is true."

    Notice the performances. He hath been a performing God, even from the beginning. He has never been worse than his word. The Bible records many instances of remarkable answers to prayer. See Gen. xxiv., Abraham's servant. Gen. xxxii., Jacob, in great distress, prayed earnestly, and God heard. Exod. xxxii., Moses. 1 Sam. i., Hannah. And see Psa. xxxii. 5, 6. It is a thousand pities that praying people do not keep an account of the answers to their prayers.

    Observe God's name and nature. He is "merciful and gracious." See how he proclaimed his name, Exod. xxxiii. He is "easy to be intreated." "Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. If thou afflict them in anywise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry. "It shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me I will hear; for I am gracious."

    Notice his near and dear relation to us. A Father. A Husband.

    Also, the intercession of his Spirit within us. He is said to be a crying Spirit: "Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." If the king employ his own secretary to write a man's petition, it is a sign he means to grant it. We have the help of the Spirit to indite our petitions.

    Consider the intercession of his Son in heaven for us. He is no stranger; but "bone of our bone."