May 24

“Blessed be God, which haih not turned away my prayer.” Psalm lxvi. 20.

IN looking back upon the character of our prayers, if we do it honestly, we shall be filled with wonder that

“^ God has ever answered them. There may be sotp who think their pray ers worthy of acceptance — as the Pha. isee did; but the true Christian, in a more enlightened retrospect, weeps over his prayers, and if he could retrace his steps he would desire to pray more Remember, Christian, how cold thy prayers have been. When in thy closet thou shouldst have wrestled as Jacob did; but instead thereof, thy petitions have been faint and few — far removed from that humble, believing, persevering faith, which cries,” I will not let Thee go except Thou bless me.” Yet, wonderful to say, God has heard these cold prayers of thine, and not only heard, but answered them. Reflect, also, how unfrequent have been thy prayers, unless thou hast been in trouble, and then thou hast gone often to the mercy-seat; but when deliverance has come, where has been thy constant supplication? Yet, notwithstanding thou hast ceased to pray as once thou didst, God has not ceased to bless. When thou hast neglected the mercy-seat, Gxpd has not deserted it, but the bright light of the Shekinah has always been visible between the wings of the cherubim. Oh! it is marvellous that the Lord should regard those intermittent spasms of importunity which come and go with our necessities. a God is He thus to hear the prayers of those who come to Him when they have preseing wants, but neglect Him when they have received a mercy; who approach Him when they are forced to come, but who abnost forget to address Him when mercies are plentiful and sorrows are few! Let His gracious kindness in hearing such prayers touch our hearts, so that we may henceforth be found “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit.”