August 29

The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought.— Romans 8:26.

DO I always seek the help of the Spirit in prayer, that I may pray aright, and for that which is really best for myself, as well as most for God's glory? Do I realize that, of myself, I know not what to ask, being so prone to separate the end from the means? Do I feel that in manner, I often do not pray as I ought; and that my affections will be cold, and my thoughts wander, and my petitions will be too much occupied with self, and with present comforts, unless the Holy Spirit aid me?

"I could write down twenty cases," said a good man, "where I wished and prayed that God would do otherwise than he did; but where now I see that if my prayer had been literally answered, and I had had my desire, it would have led to evil and not to good. And now I have learned to add to all my prayers, 'Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.'"

Since oft, by passion's force inclined,

And oft by stubborn will,

We blindly shun the latent good,

And grasp the specious ill,

Not what we wish, but what we want,

Oh, let thy grace supply:

The good unasked, in mercy grant;

The ill, though asked, deny.—MERRICK.