October 31

"Prayer shall be made for him continually." Psalms 72:15.

WE are not only to pray, but to pray without ceasing. We are not only to pray for ourselves, but for others. We are to pray for kings, and all that are in authority; for ministers; for all saints; for even our enemies, who despitefully use us, and persecute us; and what may seem strange, we are to pray for Jesus Christ. "Prayer also shall be made for him continually."

Is prayer then necessary for him? Is he not above the reach of danger, pain, and want? Yes; he who once had not where to lay his head, has all power in heaven and in earth; he dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. The meaning, therefore, cannot be that prayer should be continually made for him personally, but relatively. Owing to the interest he has in certain objects, what is done for them is done for himself, and so he esteems it. We therefore pray for him when we pray for his ministers, his ordinances, his gospel, his church—in a word, his CAUSE. David, therefore, exemplifying what he had foretold, immediately breaks forth and says, "And blessed be his glorious name for ever; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and amen. The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended."

But what should we pray for on his behalf? Our prayers should vary with the state of his cause; but we should always bear four things upon our minds. First, the degree of its resources; that there be always a sufficiency of suitable and able instruments to carry on the work. To this the Saviour himself directs us: "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he would send forth laborers into his harvest." Secondly, the freedom of its administration; that whatever opposes or hinders its progress may be removed. "Pray for us," says the apostle, "that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified." Thirdly, the diffusion of its principles; that they may become general and universal, spreading through every family, neighborhood, and province and realm. So prayed of old even the pious Jew: "That thy way may be known on earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; yea, let all the people praise thee." Fourthly, the increase of its glory as well as its extent; that it may abound more in wisdom, purity, spirituality, charity, and zeal; that the light of the moon may be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun be sevenfold as the light of seven days; that for brass he would bring gold; and for iron, silver; and for wood, brass; and for stones, iron. Thus, they that make mention of the Lord are to "give him no rest," not only until he "establish," but "make Jerusalem a praise in the whole earth."

But why should we be concerned to pray for him? Consistency requires it. We are the professors of Christ. We profess to be his servants; but can we be wise and good servants if we are neglectful of our Master's affairs? We profess to be his subjects; but can we be loyal subjects if we are indifferent to the glory of our Sovereign? We profess to be his friends; but can we be true and faithful friends unless we make his interests our own, mourn over his dishonor, and rejoice in his prosperity? Benevolence requires it. The gospel is the greatest of all blessings to the children of men. Wherever it enters, the wilderness and the solitary place is made glad, and the desert rejoices and blossoms as the rose. It is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth; and where it does not save the soul, it yields a thousand advantages to the community. Who would not wish him success? His career is the march of truth and righteousness and peace. He makes the widow's heart to sing for joy. In him the fatherless findeth mercy.

"Blessings abound wherever He reigns: The prisoner leaps to lose his chains; The weary find eternal rest, And all the sons of want are blessed."

Gratitude requires it. How much do we owe him! When we consider what he has done, is doing, and will do for us, all we are and all we have appear to be his by a thousand claims; and nothing can equal our vileness if we are not led hourly to ask, What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits? Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?

But what reason have we to conclude that these prayers for him will be heard? Much every way. The prayers indeed even of good men are not always answered. Sometimes they know not what they ask. And when they implore what would prove evil, God's wisdom and kindness lead him to refuse. But whatsoever we ask according to his will, he heareth us. And has he not commanded us to pray that his kingdom may come? Has he not promised it? Is not the grand condition fulfilled, "When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed; he shall prolong his days; and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hands?" Can his death be unavailable? Can the engagements of the everlasting covenant be made void? We cannot pray for him in vain.

But what is necessary to evince that our praying for him is sincere? For there is much prayer that is a mere mockery of God. Out of their own mouths many will be condemned hereafter; and they would feel themselves condemned already, were it not that the heart is deceitful above all things as well as desperately wicked. A man prays to redeem his time, and to have his conversation in heaven; and goes and sits in a place of dissipation for the answer. A father prays for the salvation of his child; and does all in his power to leave him affluent, and surrounded with temptations that render his conversion a miracle. A third prays to be condemned; for he prays, Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us; and he is implacable. When a man sincerely desires a thing, in proportion as he desires it he will seek after it, and use all the means placed within his reach to obtain it. When therefore a person professes a great concern for a thing, and neglects whatever is necessary to it, we make no scruple to tax him with folly or falsehood. Let us do in religious matters what we do in other cases: let us judge of our faith by our practice, and of our hearts by our lives.

What then, you say, must we do to prove that our prayers in the cause of Christianity are sincere? Do! Some of you should come forward and offer to go forth as missionaries. What hinders? Nothing in your condition, nothing in your connections. Nothing but the love of ease, and the fear of suffering, and the want of the spirit of the prayer, Arise, O Lord, and plead thine own cause. Do! Live for him. All cannot go abroad, but all have a sphere in which they may be useful. They may hold forth the word of life by their temper and conversation. Do! Employ all your influence with others, provoking them to love and to good works. Do! Give according to your opportunity and ability, exercising self-denial to enlarge your ability. Read the whole verse of our text: "And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised."