January 2

“Continue in prayer.” — Colossians iv. 2.

IT is interesting to remark bow large a portion of ?V1 Sacred Writ is occupied with the subject of prayer, V/i either in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises. We scarcely open the Bible before we read, “Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord; “and just as we are about to close the volume, the “Amen “of an earnest supplication meets our ear. Instances are plentiful. Here we find a wrestling Jacob — there a Daniel who prayed three times a day — and a David who with all bis heart called upon his God. On the mountain we see Liias; in the dungeon Paul and Silas. We have multitudes of commands, and myriads of promises. What does this tt-ach us, but the sacred importance and necessity of prayer:” We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in His Word, He intended to be conspicuous in our lives, if He has said much about prayer, it is because He knows we have much need of it. So deep are our necessities, that until we are in heaven we must not ccdse to pray. Dost thfu want nothing? Then, I fear thou dost not know thy poverty. Hast thou no mercy to ask of God? Then, may the tjord’s mercy show thee thy misery! A prayerless soul is a Ohristless soul. Prayer is the lispiiiy of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. It is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honor of a Christian. If thou be a child of God, thou wilt seek thy Father’s face, and live in thy Father’s love. Pray that this year thou mayest be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter oftener into the banqueting-house of His love. Pray that thou mayest be an example and a blessing unto others, and that thou mayest live more to the glory of thy Master. The motto for this year must be, “Continue in prayer.”