1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing. I. THE NATURE OF PRAYER. It is an act of worship, consisting of four great parts. 1. Adoration. 2. Confession. 3. Petition. 4. Thanksgiving. II. THE PRINCIPAL SEASONS OF PRAYER. 1. The Sabbath. 2. Such occasional days as are warranted by the Word of God and appointed by the Church. 3. The morning and evening of every day. 4. The times at which we receive our food. 5. Besides these regular seasons of prayer, there are many others continually occurring which can be designated by no general name.The times at which all peculiar blessings are bestowed on us are times of prayer. In the same manner is prayer our especial duty at those seasons in which we are peculiarly distressed in body or in mind, are in peculiar danger, are exposed peculiarly to temptations, are sick, are bereaved of beloved friends, are threatened with alarming evils, or whenever we find ourselves the subjects of peculiar sloth, reluctance to our duty, or ready to repine at the dispensations of God's providence, or to distrust His faithfulness or His mercy. Nor are we less obviously called to the duties of prayer and thanksgiving by the peculiar prosperity or distresses, the dangers or deliverances, of our country. In the same manner the great concerns of the Church of God ought continually to be subjects of fervent supplications. III. OUR OBLIGATIONS TO PERFORM THIS DUTY. To pray — 1. Is a dictate of conscience and common sense. 2. Is an injunction of Scripture. 3. Is after the example of Christ. 4. Promotes our own well-being.God has taught us that He will be "inquired of" by mankind for the good which He is pleased to bestow upon them. The only promise that He will give or that we shall receive blessings is made to such as ask. (Timothy Dwight, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Pray without ceasing. |
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