January 9

What is thy petition? . . . it shall be granted thee.

ESTHER vii. 2.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. — MATT. vii. 7.

IN this most wonderful of sermons there are few words more wonderful: but disciples of Jesus verify them daily. "I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live." Asking, seeking, and knocking are the ways in which we reveal our desires; and desire is the key of heaven. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." We cannot refrain from asking for whatever we truly desire. We cannot keep from seeking what we know to be infinitely precious. We are sure to knock at the door which is between us and the object of our warmest affections. Father, I ask for thy loving-kindness, which is better than life. Son of God, I seek for thy grace, which in weakness makes me strong. Holy Spirit, I knock at the door which is always opened to the humble and the contrite heart. May all thy mercies and my infirmities constrain me to ask without ceasing until thou hast given, to seek without fail until I have found, to knock without fear until it has been opened unto me!

Wendell Prine

What various hindrances we meet

In coming to a mercy-seat!

Yet who that knows the worth of prayer,

But wishes to be often there?

COWPER.