The Holder of the Keys Knocking at the Door

“IV/iai stra7ige co7idescensio7i, that he who hath the key of David should knock at the Father’s gate, and i-eceive his own heaven by gift and entreaty These are M anion’s words of surprise at the first sentences of our Lord’s prayer in John xvii.: “Father, glorify thy Son.” Even to Jesus it is said, “Ask of me.” God had one Son without sin, but never a son who did not pray. The cry of “Abba, Father!” is the mark of sonship. True prayer is the sign of a true-born child of God: “Behold, he prayeth” is the token by which each heir of glory is known.

What, then, must be the condition of such as never pray? How dwelleth sonship in them? All who call upon the Lord in spirit and in truth may say, “Our Father”: it is as “the Father” that God seeketh such to worship him.

O my heart, dread above all things a prayerless spirit! Thou hast not the key of David; how, then, canst thou enter into glory without knocking? He who had power to enter of himself yet asked that he might receive. Rouse thee, my soul, to renewed supplication, and may the Father hear thee at this hour, for Jesus’ sake.