December 20

Twenty-second Friday after Trinity

Lord, teach us to pray. S. Luke 11:1.

THE Disciples of Christ were sensible of their deficiency, and did not hesitate to ask to be taught. Must we not confess our own similar need? And ought we not, therefore, to receive thankfully any helps for the right fulfilment of this great duty which may be set before us. There are several helps to prayer the diligent use of which He Who "heareth prayer" will vouchsafe to bless. Endeavour, when you begin to pray, to realize the presence of God. Believe that when you kneel to pray, you do indeed enter into His presence. Try to remember the fact that the Eye of God is then immediately upon you; that He then specially sees you, reads you through and through, and marks every word and thought. Do not go hastily to your knees or suddenly rise from prayer. Bishop Horne tells us, "He who would pray must first retire." Meditation, which is the mother of devotion, is the daughter of retirement. They who do not meditate cannot pray; they who do not retire, can do neither. Before beginning to pray ponder for a short time on the majesty of Him to Whom you are going to speak. Meditate on the gentle, and viewless as the wind, yet powerful and life-giving, influences of the Holy Spirit. Read some short passages of Holy Writ. And then, with a spirit thus attuned to holy things, kneel before Him Who "seeth in secret."

I come to Thee to-night, In my lone closet where no eye can see, And dare to crave communion high with Thee, Father of love and light.