by Issac Watts
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
Edited and formatted by Aaron Sturgill
Prayer is a word which has broad meaning in Scripture. It includes not only a request for mercies, but it denotes the address of a creature on earth to God in heaven about everything that concerns his God, his neighbor or himself, in this world or the world to come. It is the conversation which God allows us to maintain with himself above, while we are here below. It is that language in which a creature communicates with his Creator and in which the soul of a saint often gets near to God, experiences great delight and, as it were, dwells with his heavenly Father for a short time before he comes to heaven. It is a glorious privilege with which our Maker has indulged us, as well as a necessary part of the obedience which he requires of us at all times and in every circumstance of life. 'Pray without ceasing' (I Thess. 5:17). 'In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God' (Phil. 4:6).'Praying always with all prayer and supplication' (Eph. 6:18).
Prayer is a part of divine worship that is required of all men and is to be performed either with the voice or only in the heart, and is called vocal or mental prayer. It is commanded to individuals in their private lives, in a more solemn and consistent manner; and in the midst of the businesses of life, by secretly and suddenly lifting up the soul to God. It belongs also to communities, whether they be natural, as families; or civil, as corporations, parliaments, courts, or societies for trade and business; and to religious communities. When persons meet together for any godly purpose, they should seek their God. It is required of the churches especially, for the house of God is the house of prayer.
Since it is a duty of such absolute necessity for all and of such universaluse.it is fitting we should all know how to perform it aright, that it may be accepted by the great God, and become a delightful and profitable exercise to our own souls and to those that join with us.
I shall deliver my thoughts on the nature of prayer in the following order:
i) as a duty of worship;
ii) as it is to be performed by the gifts or abilities God has bestowed upon us;
iii) as it must be attended with the exercise of our graces; and
iv) as we are assisted in it by the Spirit of God.
v) I shall then conclude with an earnest address to Christians to seek after this holy skill of conversation with God.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
Introduction
1. The Nature of Prayer
I. Invocation
II. Adoration
III. Confession
IV. Petition
V. Pleading
VI. Profession, or Self-Dedication
VII. Thanksgiving
VIII. Blessing
IX. Amen, or the Conclusion
2. The Gift of Prayer
I. What the Gift of Prayer Is
II. Forms of Prayer
III. The Content of Prayer
IV. The Method of Prayer
V. Expression in Prayer
VI. The Voice in Prayer
VII. Gesture in Prayer
VIII. General Directions on the Gift of Prayer
3. The Grace of Prayer
I. The Grace of Prayer
II. The Grace of Prayer
III. General Graces of Prayer
IV. Graces for Particular Parts of Prayer
V. Directions to Attain the Grace of Prayer
4. Spirit of Prayer 173
I. Proofs, of the Spirit’s Assistance in Prayer
II. How the Spirit Assists Us in Prayer
III. Cautions About the Spirit’s Assistance
IV. Directions to Obtain and Keep
5. Persuasive Arguments to Learn to Pray
I. The first argument
II. Another argument
III. A third argument
IV. The honor of God
V. A fifth persuasive argument
VI. The last attempt