The Soul's Attitude in Prayer ROSTRATION. In prayer we come into the throne room of the Majesty on high, therefore "Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God." Jacob prevailed only when the shrunken sinew confessed His helplessness and prostrated him in the dust. Abraham, our example in importunity, is equally our typ? of humility. While he so persistently pressed his intercession see how reverently he deprecated his boldness, "Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes." And David when he went in before the Lord, said: "Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house?" Moses, Aaron, Daniel, aye, and the Lord himself all fell on their faces. Ecc. 5:2; Gen. 32:25, 26; 18:27, 30, 31, 32; 2 Sam. 7:18; Mat. 26:39. " R EPENTANCE. Sorrow for sin, with confession of our fault, should always accompany our approach to God, especially in intercessory prayer. "Hear, I beseech Thee, and I will speak. * * * I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes," said Job; and MoSes said, "Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, * * * yet now if Thou wilt forgive their sin * * *." David said "Have mercy upon me, O God, * * * for I acknowledge my transgression" David's n r a / . e r a i n s P i r a t i o n a l ' y . was intercession for Israel's adultery and the murder of ^ ^ W M W W l n " k e manner pleaded, "O Lord, the great and dreadful God. t 1 ffly* a v e S l n n e d - and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly." Job. 42:4-6; Ex. 32:31, 32; P s a. 51:1, 3; Dan. 9:4, 5; 1 J n o. 1:9. . A SSURANCE. But a sense of unworth and sinfulness is not a reason for discouragement. David prayed, "Pardon mine iniquity because it is great." Confidence in our acceptance is essential. "He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Being justified we have peace; having peace we have access into grace; "boldness and access by the faith of Him." Blood, grace, faith, introduce us into the Holiest (place), and unto the Holiest Presence. P s a. 40:1; Gen. 18:33; 32:31; Dan. 12:13; 1 Cor. 3:13. Y IELDING of the wiH. The broadest promise has its limits, not in the will of the petitioner but of the Promiser. Surrender to God's will must be absolute. Yet that Will is not arbitrary, it is Wisdom; nor yet cold judg- ment, but Love., "If we ask anything according to His will He heareth us." My "Fa t h er heareth always"; and, again, and repeatedly, "Not my will but thine." Paul rejoiced in this condition of prayer. God's will did not draw the thorn in the flesh, but changed' pain to pleasure. 1 Jno. 5:14; L u k. 22:42; Mat. 26:39, 42; Jno. 11:42; 2 Cor. 12:8-10. E XPECTATION, "My expectation is from Him," says the Psalmist, and "He is the Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Here earnest- ness is coupled with expectation, it is the "fervent prayer that availeth much," and "men ought always to pray, and not to faint," and "though it tarry wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." Our expectation calls "things that be not as though they were," for "we know that we have the peti- tions that we desired of Him." P s a. 25:11; Heb. 11:6; R om. 5:1, 2; E p h. 3:12; Heb. 10:19. EST. "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him, and He shall bring it to pass." Let us not be anxious, doubtful, or impatient. We may "wrestle" in prayer, but rest well after it. Abraham returned to his place"; the "sun rose upon Jacob"; Daniel "went his way" and "rests" himself and his case. Let it alone. Leave your burden at His feet. It is Enough. "The day shall declare it." P s a. 62;5; Heb. 11:6; J a s. 5il6; Rom. 4:17; 1 Jno, 5;15,
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