September 12

PART III.—Matthew 17:2.

IT is deserving of our particular attention tha.

as Christ "prayed, he was transfigured;" and it appears that he had ascended the mountain, with his disciples, to pray. All Christ's important engagements were thus hallowed with prayer. Prayer distinguished all the leading steps of his illustrious career. When he was baptized, and received the anointing of the Spirit, and the attestation of the Father, he was praying. When he was tempted by Satan in the desert, he prayed. When he wrought some of his more splendid miracles, he prayed. When his soul was in agony at Gethsemane, he prayed. When crucified, and he was giving up the Ghost, he prayed. When, after standing on Olivet's glorious summit, he took his celestial flight to glory,

"He entered heaven by prayer."

And now, that he is in the holiest place of all, he ever liveth, to make intercession for us. Thus, be it observed, all events and conditions were sanctified by prayer. Ordinances, temptations, miracles, afflictions, persecutions, death, and glory, were thus rendered sacred by the devotional exercise of the Son of God. While he "prayed," his transfiguration was effected. And is not this a token of the honour Jehovah designed to confer upon this holy exercise? And ought we not to be influenced by it at all times and in all places, and in every possible variety of condition, to offer up prayer before him, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting? We cannot be followers of Jesus without prayer. We cannot endure prosperity or bear adversity without prayer. Ordinances will profit nothing without prayer. We shall never be glorified unless we live and die in the exercise of prayer.