August 17

There will I meet thee, I will come one with thee from above the mercy-seat.—Exodus 25:22.

AM I faithful to the precious privilege God grants to his people, of meeting him at the mercy-seat, and there conversing with him as a friend with a friend? There do I spread before him all my wants, and difficulties, and troubles, asking for grace and strength, to do or suffer, as to him may seem best? Am I as earnest and full of faith in speaking to God, as I would be in speaking to an earthly friend? Do I bear in mind his own declaration and promise, that according to my faith the blessing shall be?

It is not the length, but the strength of prayer that is required; not the labor of the life, but the travail of the heart, that prevails with God. Let thy words be few, but full and to the purpose.—I. S. SPENCER.

Frequent prayer is a most natural remedy against sin.—BISHOP WILSON.

The best and sweetest flowers of Paradise, God gives to his people when they are on their knees in the closet. Prayer, if not the very gate of heaven, is the key to let us in to its holiness and its joys.—T. BROOKS.

When to the closet I repair,

To breathe my soul's desires in prayer,

When bending low at Jesus' feet,

I look toward the mercy-seat,

This promise, Lord, shall be my plea,

"There, suppliant, I will meet with thee."