271. 1TI 2:8. PRAYER

1Ti_2:8. Prayer

"I will, therefore, that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."’971Ti_2:8.

Prayer is an important’97an essential’97part of true religion. It is the breath of the new man. The evidence of spiritual life. An exercise appointed by God, by which we approach his presence, and obtain a supply of temporal and spiritual good.

Let us notice,

I. The Nature,

II. The Characteristics,

And,

III. The Universality of acceptable Prayer.

I. The Nature of acceptable Prayer.

1. God is the only proper object of prayer.

Neither men nor angels are addressed in prayer. God alone can hear, understand, and help his creatures. The object of prayer should be infinite in knowledge and wisdom, almighty in power, boundless in goodness, and everywhere present. These are the attributes of God only.

2. Prayer is the sensible experience and expression of need.

Hence resembles thirsting, hungering, fainting, panting, &c. The pain of need, and the heart’s longing made known to God.

3. God’s word is our warrant for prayer.

Here we have authority to pray, exhortations to pray, directions for prayer, models of prayer, &c., promises to prayer.

4. The merits of Christ are the only successful plea in prayer.

We are to ask in Christ’s name. Joh_16:23; Col_3:17. He is the only way of access to God. "No man cometh," &c.

5. The Spirit’s aid must be sought in prayer.

"Praying always with all prayer," &c. Eph_6:18. "I will pour out," &c. Zec_12:10. "The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities," &c. Rom_8:26. Notice,

II. The Characteristics of acceptable Prayer.

"Lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting."

There must be,

1. Purity of motive.

"Holy hands." Perhaps referring to the rites of the Jews, which required them to wash their hands before engaging in religious services. Now God requires, when we draw near to him, that our motives, purposes, and desires be holy. "If we regard iniquity in our hearts," &c.

2. With earnestness and ardor.

"Lifting up holy hands." Not to ask carelessly, with a spirit of apathy, but with a true heart, with holy earnestness, with strong desire and expectation. Our hearts poured out, &c. Psa_62:8; Lam_3:41.

3. In a spirit of meekness and charity.

"Without wrath." In a spirit of mercy towards our enemies; see Mat_9:24, and vi. 12, 14, 15. And in a spirit of love to all mankind. Col_3:13.

Prayer must be presented,

4. With confidence in God.

Without wrath and "doubting." We must not doubt God’s power or faithfulness, or truth, or graciousness and willingness to help. See Heb_11:6; Mat_21:22; Heb_10:22; Jam_1:16.

Then observe,

III. The Universality of acceptable Prayer.

I will that men "pray everywhere."

1. Everywhere we ought to pray.

In need everywhere; in danger everywhere; world, family, closet, at home or abroad, &c. Ever exposed to Satan, and our own frail hearts.

2. God is near to us everywhere.

Wherever we are his presence surrounds us. He is never far from us; always a God at hand, &c.

3. God will receive our prayers everywhere.

No longer requires men to go to the temple, &c. The universe is his temple and every clod of earth may be knelt upon with acceptance and success. The prisoner in the dungeon, the captive in his exile, the traveller in the desert, the merchant in his warehouse, the mariner on the ocean, the mother in her nursery’97all may lift the heart, or bend the knee, with acceptance to God.

Application

1. Cultivate the spirit of prayer.

2. Be instant, constant, and persevering in this exercise.

3. Prayer will be followed with the Divine favor and blessing.

4. All prayerless souls must perish.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS