131. PSA 81:10. ENLARGEDNESS IN PRAYER

Psa_81:10. Enlargedness in Prayer

"Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it."’97Psa_81:10.

Prayer is the breathing of the regenerated soul; the sign, and at the same time the appointed medium of life. Our souls hold communion with God in prayer. The supplies of heavenly grace are brought down by prayer. And the more we pray, the more we receive: and it is the will of God that we should ask abundantly, that our joy may be full. Hence the address in the text: "Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." Observe in the text, I. The form of prayer’97"Open thy mouth." II. The extent of prayer’97"Open thy mouth wide." III. The promise given to enlargedness in prayer’97"and I will fill it."

I. The Manner of Prayer’97"Open thy Mouth."

Prayer is often associated with bodily action. For instance it is connected with "lifting up our eyes"’97"stretching forth our hands,"’97and often, with inquiring, or asking of God with our mouths. Now where we open our mouths to God in prayer, we must do so,

1. From a consciousness of need.

The heart must be hungering and thirsting after God. The soul must be full of solicitude, arising from a sensibility of our wants. Our exigencies must give force and power to our supplications. Then we must open our mouths,

2. With deep humility and selfabasement.

We must consider our own worthlessness and demerit’97our aggravated offences against God’97our entire reliance on divine forbearance and mercy; and we must abhor ourselves as in sackcloth and ashes. See publican.

3. With holy pleadings and importunity of spirit.

It is of the utmost consequence that we plead with God fervently, and with persevering earnestness. Abraham did so; Gen_18:23-33. Jacob did so; Gen_32:24. Solomon did so; 1Ki_8:22 &c. The woman of Canaan did so; Mat_15:22. Jesus did so; Luk_22:24. See, also, Jam_5:16.

We must open our mouths,

4. In the exercise of believing confidence.

It is faith that gives potency to prayer. Without faith God cannot be pleased, much less accept our prayers. It is whatsoever is asked in faith, that shall be done unto us. Faith honors God’s truth by unwavering reliance; his power, and wisdom, and goodness, by confiding in him to giant those things we ask of him; Mat_22:22 Now observe in the text,

II. The Extent of Prayer’97"Open the Mouth wide."

1 Ask largely, for an abundance of blessings.

God’s bounty is infinite’97giving doth not impoverish him’97we cannot exceed his ability or disposition to bless us’97"Hitherto ye have asked nothing," &c. Joh_16:24.

2. Ask incessantly.

Praying always with all prayer’97cannot weary him’97prayer is the sweetest melody to the ears of God’97"continue in prayer."

3. Ask for all sorts of blessings.

For body and for soul’97for this life and that which is to come’97for ourselves, families, church, world’97"Make all your requests known unto him."

4. Ask for the riches and fulness of all the blessings you seek.

Not for drops, but for the shower’97not for the dawn, but noonday splendor’97not for a little, but for the richest effusions of his grace; ask for what will totally annihilate your wants; ask for what your souls are capable of enjoying’97for all that divine munificence can impart.

III. The Promise given to Enlargedness in Prayer’97"I will fill it."

How concise, yet comprehensive, is this promise! Observe,

1. He can do it.

Able to do above all we can ask or think. All fulness is in him. Eph_3:20.

2. He delights to do it.

It is according to the nature of God, to communicate to his creatures’97it is his glory and happiness, to bless those who seek his face.

3. He is pledged to do it.

To his Son in covenant engagement. And to his people, in the declarations of his word. His word is immutability itself’97cannot fail in aught he has said.

4. He has never disappointed his supplicating people.

No instance on record. Those who have trusted in him have never been confounded. He never said to any of the seed of Jacob, Seek ye my face in vain.

5. He has often done much more, but never less than he promised.

Solomon prayed for wisdom, and he gave him wisdom, and riches, and honor. The man afflicted with the palsy sought healing, and he received with it forgiveness of sin, The malefactor prayed to be remembered, and he promised him a place in paradise.

Application

How important, how necessary is prayer! cultivate it’97exercise it’97watch with it’97be grateful for all returns and answers to it’97and "open your mouths wide, and he will fill them."

Autor: JABEZ BURNS