August 8

"Lord, teach us to pray." LUKE II:1.

THIS was the language of one of his disciples, as soon as he had heard him pray "in a certain place." He did not interrupt our Lord in the exercise; but when he had ceased, he said, wishing to resemble him, "Lord, teach us to pray."

It was well in him, not only to attach importance to prayer, and to feel his own ignorance and insufficiency in the performance, but to address one who is always able and willing to hear and help us. None teaches like him. Four ways he teaches to pray.

First, by his word. A form or model—why not both?—was immediately given these disciples. "He said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil." The Scripture at large has many instructions how we are to pray. In one place we are told to pray without ceasing. In another, to come boldly to the throne of grace. In another, to let our words be few. In another, to ask in faith, nothing wavering. In another, to ask in the name of Jesus. "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."

Secondly, by his example. Whoever lives without prayer, He did not. His example has the force of a law; and he "that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk even as he walked." As to place, he prayed in the wilderness, and he prayed in the garden. As to time, we read of his rising up early in the morning to pray; and praying in the evening; and continuing all night in prayer. As to observation, he prayed privately, alone, and with his disciples, and in public. As to cases, he prayed when he was baptized; and has taught us to sanctify all ordinances and duties by prayer. When going to send forth his apostles, he prayed, to teach us to engage in no enterprise relying on our own wisdom and strength. When he was transfigured, he prayed, to teach us how to escape the snares of glory and greatness. With strong crying and tears, he made supplication when he was sore amazed and very heavy, to teach us, if afflicted, to pray. To teach us to love our enemies, when they pierced his hands and his feet, he prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And to teach us how to finish our course, he dies praying, "Into thy hands I commend my spirit."

Thirdly, by his providence. Ah, Christians, this may explain many a dispensation that has made you tremble and grieve. "I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face; in their affliction they will seek me early;" that is, I will teach them to pray. What did Absalom when he wished for an interview with Joab, who, when sent for, refused to obey? Go, said he to his servant, and set his corn on fire, and then he will soon come. And so it fell out. And speedily and eagerly approaching him, Why hast thou done this? says Joab. Absalom replies, Not because I designed to injure thee, but I wanted to converse with thee, and my messengers were rejected. So when you are lifeless in prayer, and backward in the exercise, and disregard the invitation, "Seek ye my face," some fiery trial consumes or threatens some of your possessions or comforts; and alarmed and perplexed, then you anxiously say unto God, "Do not condemn me; show me wherefore thou contendest with me." You then also want succor and consolation, and therefore pray, "Let thy loving-kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant." How many of the prayers of God's people in the Scripture were, both in their reality and excellency too, the offspring of those measures by which the Lord, in chastening, taught them.

Fourthly, by his Spirit. What means "praying in the Holy Ghost," but praying by his influence? Why is he called "the Spirit of grace and of supplications?" Is it not because he brings us upon our knees, and keeps us instant in prayer? If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his: and this Spirit awakens the conscience, and makes us sensible of our needy and perishing condition; and shows us the importance and glory of divine blessings, and causes us to hunger and thirst after righteousness, and leads us into all the truth connected with our relief; and through the blood of the cross, inspiring hope and confidence, enables us to cry, Abba, Father.

Nor is it only in the beginning of a devotional life that this assistance is required. "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities," says the apostle; "for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." And where is the Christian who would not often have given over the exercise, under a sense of his imperfections and weaknesses, but for the hope of the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ; and the promise, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" This has revived him again, and out of weakness he has been made strong, and delighted himself in the Almighty.

Happy they who, by the great Teacher, are thus taught to pray. You may be ignorant of many things, but you know your way to the throne of grace. You may have little learning, but you can speak the language of Canaan. You may be unnoticed of your fellow-creatures, but your fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And a life of prayer will soon be followed by an eternity of praise.

But how awful the condition of those who never express this desire, Lord, teach us to pray! Can the love or the fear of the Lord dwell in you? Can you dispense with the blessings of salvation? Or do you think that God, who has said, "For all these things will I be inquired of," will deny himself? Well, another instructor will soon teach you to pray—a dying hour—a judgment-day. But you will pray in vain. "Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me."