PRAYER AND PRACTICE
by John Angell James
I need not prove to you that prayer, as a duty,
is essential to Christian conduct; and, as a privilege, is equally
indispensable to Christian enjoyment. All consistent professors of religion
give themselves to this devout exercise. They pray in the closet, at the
family altar, and in the house of God. Their petitions are copious,
comprehensive, and seemingly earnest. What solemn professions they make to
God! What ardent desires they express! What numerous blessings they seek!
What strong resolutions they form! Judging of ourselves by the prayers we
pour forth in secret, or of each other by the utterances we hear when we
meet with one accord to make our common supplication known, we may very
properly say, "What manner of people ought we to be?" If we so pray—how
ought we to live? What kind of people must we be—to be up to the standard of
our prayers? And ought we not, in some measure at least, to reach this
standard? Should there not be a harmony, a consistency, a proportion—between
our practice and our prayers?
There are many rules and standards of our conduct, or
rather the one rule and standard is presented in various aspects in the
Scriptures. The moral law, demanding perfect love to God and man; the moral
character of God as revealed in his word; the example of our Lord Jesus
Christ; the principles drawn from the Bible, and implied in our profession
of religion, are all so many declarations of what we ought to be, and to do.
Looking at these, how we are struck with our shortcomings, and with what
deep humiliation ought we to confess and mourn them! But I now direct you to
another rule and standard, and that is—your own prayers. Do you
indeed ACT as you pray? Do you understand the import, and feel the
obligation of your own petitions? Do you rise from your knees where you have
asked and knocked, to seek? Do you really want, wish for, and
endeavor to obtain an answer to your prayers? Does God see, and do men see,
that you are really intent upon doing, and being—what you ask for in prayer?
I need scarcely inform you, that the designs and uses of
prayer are many, besides being a means of obtaining necessary blessings. It
is intended to do homage to God as the Fountain of being and bliss; to
express our dependence upon him; to be a solace to our own minds, and also
to be a means of personal improvement. Our prayers are to act upon
ourselves; they have, or ought to have, great power in the formation of
character and the regulation of conduct. This is too much forgotten. The
moral influence and pious obligation of prayer are too much left out of
sight. It is plain, therefore, that much of prayer is mere words—we
either do not understand, or do not consider, or do not
mean, what we say. This is a solemn consideration; for if it is true, we
play the hypocrite before God, and insult him by the offerings of feigned
lips. Can we endure the thought? It is time to consider such a subject—I
mean the moral obligation of our own prayers—and to institute a
comparison between them and our practice.
Let us review our prayers under two heads—
I. Prayers which relate to OURSELVES.
I can only make a selection of subjects, but a few will be sufficient. How
fervently we sometimes pray for the salvation of our souls, as our one great
business in life, adding also an entreaty that we may ever consider it as
such. Well, do we make it so? Do we go from praying to acting—and to live
for salvation, for heaven, for eternity? How common is it for professors to
pray for victory over the world by faith; to be delivered from the lust of
the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; to be enabled to set
their affections on things above, and not on things of the earth; and to be
dead to seen and temporal things, through the life that is hid with Christ
in God—and yet all the while they are as obviously eager to amass wealth, to
multiply the attractions of earth, and to enjoy as much luxurious
gratifications as possible.
Nothing is more frequent than petitions to grow in
grace—but where is the diligent use of the means of growth; where the
habit of constant and lengthened retirement for prayer, meditation,
self-examination, and reading the Scriptures? Is it not as though they
expected the good seed of the kingdom to grow and thrive amidst thorns?
They pray for the mortification of their corruptions,
and for their crucifixion with Christ; then of course they ought to
have their eye fixed upon their heart, to watch against the least rising of
sin; to repress the first movement, and crush a thought or feeling of
iniquity. They ought to labor as they would do, to eradicate a
vigorous and rapidly spreading weed in their garden; or to resist and heal a
growing disease in their body. But do they? Is there all that effort after
mortification—that weeping, wrestling, and ceaseless labor after the
destruction of sin—which their prayers would lead us to expect?
They very frequently put up a prayer for consistency
in their profession. This is a petition that is urged with all the
appearance of sincerity and fervor, as if he who uttered it, and all who
joined in it, were most anxious never to do the least thing, nor even to say
a word, that would cause the enemies of religion to taunt professors with
their inconsistency. And yet, perhaps, the very individual who had
expressed, or the hearer who had joined in his earnest breathings after
grace to be consistent, will, the next morning, by some dishonorable
transaction in business, and, may be, in their dealings with some who were
present the previous evening, do that which would disgrace a man of the
world.
Spirituality of mind is the subject of innumerable
prayers from some who never take a step to promote it—but, on the contrary,
who are doing all they can to make them selves carnally minded! How many
repeat that petition, "Lead us not into temptation," who, instead of most
carefully keeping at the utmost possible distance from all inducements to
sin, place themselves in the very way of it!
How often do they repeat that other petition in our
Lord's prayer, "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who
trespass against us;" and yet how little do many feel disposed to pardon
those who injure them, and how rarely do they from the heart forgive the
trespasses of their neighbors! We should recollect that a person of a
resentful and unforgiving temper shuts, by the use of such a prayer, the ear
of God against his cry for mercy, and moves the arm of Omnipotence for his
destruction! For if he ask to be forgiven, only 'as he himself forgives',
and he, at the same time, revenges, instead of pardoning the offence—what is
this but petitioning for vengeance, instead of clemency?
Professors ask to have the mind of Christ, and to
imitate the example of their Lord. But where is the assiduous endeavor, the
laboring effort, to copy this high model, in its self-denying condescension,
its profound humility, its beautiful meekness, its indifference to worldly
comforts, its forgiving mercy, its devotedness to God?
How often do we pray to be delivered from evil tempers
and irascible feelings; and yet we indulge them on every slight
provocation, and take no pains to subdue them! But it is unnecessary to
multiply the illustrations of the inconsistency between our prayers and our
practice, in reference to our own individual concerns as Christians. Alas!
alas! who must not blush and be ashamed for his hypocrisy before God? Who
must not smite upon his bosom, for this his iniquity, and say in deep
humiliation and contrition, "God be merciful to me a sinner?"
II. Prayers which relate to OTHERS.
We pray for the conversion of our children. What
fervent petitions are breathed out for them! Well, and how are these prayers
followed up? By the serious, regular, and devout maintenance of family
prayer? By clear instruction, affectionate counsels, faithful warning, and
above all, a consistent exhibition of the beauties of holiness in ourselves?
Do our children see in us, and hear from us, all that can recommend true
religion, and that is calculated to win them to piety? Or, on the contrary,
do they not place our conduct and our prayers in contrast, and think, if
they do not say, that it is a pity their father does not act more as he
prays?
All consistent members of a Christian church of any
denomination, pray for its prosperity—but is it enough to say, "Peace
be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces. For my brethren
and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within you?" This
should be followed up with a peaceful, judicious, and unwearied effort to
promote the good of the church. But is it?
The minister is the constant theme of supplication; his
health, comfort, and usefulness, are the topics of seemingly beseeching
entreaty. It would appear as if everyone were his helper, comforter, and
fellow-laborer. A stranger would imagine that he had none around him, but
such as were laying themselves out to promote his happiness; and his
usefulness. What conduct it should be to comport with such prayers! What
active men these praying men should be! How concerned might it be expected,
they would be—never to grieve his heart by unkindness, never to hinder his
usefulness by neglecting, much less refusing, anything by which it could be
promoted! And yet is it not too true to be denied, that these prayers have,
in some instances, been the cover of the greatest indifference, and even of
the most active unkindness?
Professors pray for the aboundings of brotherly love, and
the undisturbed peace of the church. How fervent are their expressed
longings after the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace; and their
entreaties that no root of bitterness may spring up to trouble the brethren,
and thereby many be defiled! Now such prayers bind them, of course, to
follow after the things that make for peace; to abstain from every action,
every expression, and every look that would prevent or disturb it; and so to
behave themselves as to unite the hearts of the brethren more closely
together. To pray for love, and to nourish enmity; to pray for peace, and to
promote faction; to pray for union, and to encourage division—is gross
hypocrisy. Everyone who prays for charity should exemplify it; and he who
invokes the spirit of concord upon a community, should be the first to open
his heart for its reception. It is most affecting to observe how little some
professors seem to be bound by their own prayers in this particular. It
would appear, as if they thought that their petitions for love and peace
were designed for others, but not for themselves; as if while they prayed
that others might be the friends and promoters of charity, they had a
license to indulge in wrath, malice, and uncharitableness. It is quite time
that the different sections of the universal church began to think of their
prayers, as well as of their arguments; and to remember how much they
pray, and how little they do, for peace; how much they invoke the
descent of the celestial, dove-like Spirit, and how much they do to grieve,
and drive him away, by their uncharitable conduct.
But I come now to another instance of disagreement
between prayer and practice; and that is seen in the petitions presented for
the revival of religion. Who does not often ask for this; for a spirit of
more fervent, glowing, self-denying, and consistent piety, to spread over
the church of God, and for more numerous conversions of impenitent sinners?
We continually hear this petition ascend from the lips of our brethren,
"Lord, revive your work in the midst of us;" and it might be looked for that
it would be attended with corresponding efforts to obtain the blessing that
we thus seek. Yet many pray for revivals of piety, who take no steps to
promote them. Do they begin with themselves, and endeavor that their own
religion may be revived? Do they remember that the quickening of the
whole consists of the quickening of the parts of which it is composed, and
that it is obligatory upon them to seek that it should begin with
themselves? And to gain the answer of such prayers, they ought also to
bestir themselves for the conversion of others. A revival can be expected
only in the way of general activity—it must not be left wholly to
ministers—there is something for everybody to do; and if in this way, and in
this case, doing be not added to praying, the latter savors much of
hypocrisy, or of unmeaning words. To pray for the conversion of souls, and
do nothing by direct efforts to achieve it, is shocking inconsistency.
Then think, my dear friends, what frequent and abundant
prayer there is for the outpouring of the Spirit upon all flesh, and the
conversion of the world to Christ. I do not mean to say that we yet pray
enough, but I do mean to say, that we pray more than we act. Our
prayers, I know, are far behind our obligations, but I equally know that our
exertions are far behind our petitions. It is recorded somewhere, that a
minister who was collecting money for a public religious object in some town
in America, upon asking an individual for an introduction to some of his
neighbors, received from him the name of one, with this remark—"If you were
to hear that man pray for the conversion of the world, you would imagine,
from his fervor and copiousness, that he was ready to give all his fortune
for accomplishing the object of his desire; and yet when called upon for his
benefaction, he doles out but the merest pittance of property." The minister
called on this inconsistent professor, laid his case before him, and after
much entreaty, received a dollar or two for its support, a sum very far
below the importance of the cause, or his means and obligations to support
it. Upon this the applicant told him what he had heard about the fervor of
his prayers, and, after contrasting them with the scantiness of his
beneficence, expostulated faithfully with him on the gross in constancy of
his conduct. He saw, at once, the impropriety of his behavior, confessed
that it had never occurred to him before, and immediately and considerably
enlarged his liberality. Is not this a common case, except in its results?
Is there not often the same contrast still to be seen, of
men generous and abundant in prayer, and at the same time niggardly and
grudging in their contributions? They pray as if they really wished
and wanted the world to be converted, but they give as if they would
rather it remained as it is. But who can wonder that this is the case among
laymen, if the example is set them by the preachers of the word, and by
those who lead the devotions of the assembly? The minister prays, every
sabbath, for the conversion of the world; what then, if he is a rich man, or
approaching to it, ought to be his liberality? His prayers are very
abundant; so ought to be his liberality. If covetousness is exhibited in the
pulpit, who can wonder that it should find its way into the pew? But whether
we are ministers or laymen, we are placed under solemn obligations, that is,
if we would be consistent, to an abounding beneficence by our very
intercessions—for to plead with God for the salvation of the heathen abroad,
or for the conversion of souls at home, as if it were the object which lies
closest to our heart, and for which we are ready to give up all we are, and
all we have; and then to calculate, and scheme, how little we can give; then
to avail ourselves of every sordid plea, and every plausible excuse, to keep
our money in our pockets, is an odious exhibition of disgusting insincerity.
It may be that this matter has not hitherto occurred to some who shall read
this tract; but it can now no longer escape their observation, and they will
see the necessity, from henceforth, of curtailing their prayers, or
enlarging their contributions—it remains for them to say which side of the
alternative they will take.
Thus, my dear brethren, you perceive that the sincerity
of a professor of religion is tested by his prayers; and it must be so, and
ought to be so, if those prayers are to be considered anything more than
mere unmeaning forms, or the offerings of feigned lips—for God answers our
supplications not by miracle, or by interpositions of his providence, which
leave us nothing to do but to stand still and see the salvation of God, but
by engaging and blessing our own instrumentality. Prayer is not a substitute
for human action, but the connecting link between our doings, and God's
blessing. If we pray for temporal success, comfort, or health, we must, and
we do use the means; if for pardon, we must repent and believe; if for
sanctification, we must watch and resist temptation; and if for the
conversion of others, we must use the appropriate means, that is, we
must make direct effort and give our property. We are commanded to seek,
as well as to ask, and in all those cases where anything can be done,
and ought to be done, by us, to neglect to do it, and to content ourselves
with petitioning God, however numerous or fervent our requests may be, will
receive from him no other answer than that which he gave to Joshua, when he
said, "Get up! Why do you lie on your face this way?"
Praying is a very solemn engagement, and should not be so
trifled with; but it is awfully trifled with, when it is treated as if it
imposed no obligation upon us in reference to the objects for which it is
presented. God has said he will be sanctified in all those who draw near to
him; but is this to sanctify him, to offer prayers which we do not
wish or mean should be answered? Is this to serve him with reverence and
godly fear, and remembering that he is a consuming fire—to importune him for
an object, and from that moment care nothing about it, and do
nothing to obtain it? How indignantly did he reproach the Jews for their
feigned devotions, where he said, "This people draws near unto me with their
mouth, and honors me with their lips; but their heart is far from me!" "So
My people come to you in crowds, sit in front of you, and hear your words,
but they don't obey them. Although they express love with their mouths,
their hearts pursue unjust gain. Yes, to them you are like a singer of love
songs who has a beautiful voice and plays skillfully on an instrument. They
hear your words, but they don't obey them." (Ezekiel 33:31-32)
Bear, then, in constant and practical recollection, that
prayer is a solemn and a holy thing, the effect of true piety, and intended
and designed, when properly performed, to increase its own cause. We should
be the better, not only through our prayers, as a means of obtaining
blessings from God, but by them, on account of their own influence
upon ourselves. Even in this view there is no ground for the question and
cavil of wicked men, "What profit would we have if we pray to him?"
It is profitable, when sincere, not only by the external advantages which it
brings, but by the internal power which it exerts. Every part of prayer has
a salutary tendency. Prayer improves the character, as well as comforts the
heart. Prayer exerts a counteracting influence on whatever tends to injure
the soul, and a beneficial effect on all that is calculated to do it good.
Prayer is adoration; and what is so adapted
to produce profound and habitual veneration for God, as the contemplation
and praise of his infinitely glorious perfections? Prayer is
confession of sin; and when is sin more apt to melt the heart into
the soft relentings of godly contrition, than when carefully recounted to
Him against whom it has been all committed, with a spirit awed into
reverence and submission by the pure majesty of the Divine presence? Prayer
is supplication for blessings needed; and what a sense of
dependence, what a feeling of want, what a confidence in God for supplies,
is this exercise likely to produce? Prayer is intercession for
others; and how does it nourish all the feelings of kindliness, pity,
benevolence, and universal charity! Prayer is usually attended with
thanksgiving for mercies received, and its breath fans the spark of
gratitude, until it is kindled into a flame of pure and ardent love. Prayer
resists the influence of the world, raises the soul out of the region
of temporal things, and places it within sight and attraction of unseen and
eternal things. Prayer gives efficiency to all the other means of grace; and
thus is continually, by its own tendency and power, producing a favorable
influence upon our character and conduct. Let us, then, beware of
insincerity in our prayers and in all other matters; for it is very obvious
that there is among professors of religion, who are not really hypocrites in
gross, too much of petty hypocrisy in the details of their profession.
This is a serious charge, and ought not to be hastily,
much less falsely, made; but is it not too true to be denied, and too
obvious to be concealed? We are none of us, perhaps, sufficiently impressed
with the solemn obligation to be careful in the use of our tongues, to weigh
our words before we utter them, so as to speak nothing which we do not mean
in the very import that will be conveyed by them to the hearer—and to
remember them, after they have gone from our lips, so as to feel the bond
they impose upon our conduct and our conscience. Speech, next to reason, is
man's highest glory and distinction, and even reason, without speech, could
be of little service—how tremblingly anxious, then, shall we be, never to
make our talking powers the vehicle of deceit, the veil of hypocrisy, or the
medium of unmeaning compliment. To be insincere in our talk with our
fellow-creatures; to ask for favors we do not care to obtain; to solicit an
interchange of offices we do not covet; to utter compliments we do not mean;
to acknowledge obligations we do not feel; to lavish praises which we know
are ill-deserved; to appear anxious for friendship which we do not want—is a
lamentable and criminal inconsistency, which is but too common among
professors.
But how much more guilty is all this unmeaning prattle
when addressed to the holy and heart-searching God! Hence the admonition of
the apostle, "Let every man be slow to speak," and the still more impressive
exhortation of the wisest of men, "Guard your step when you go to the house
of God. Better to draw near in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as
fools do, for they are ignorant and do wrong. Do not be hasty to speak, and
do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you
are on earth, so let your words be few. For dreams result from much work and
a fool's voice from many words. When you make a vow to God, don't delay
fulfilling it, because He does not delight in fools. Fulfill what you vow.
Better that you do not vow than that you vow and not fulfill it. Do not let
your mouth bring guilt on you, and do not say in the presence of the
messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and
destroy the work of your hands? For many dreams bring futility, also many
words. So, fear God." (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7)
Among the many confessions of our sins, and supplications
for pardoning mercy, which we are, or ought to be, continually laying before
the footstool of God's throne of grace, the following should have a
place—"Lord, forgive our misuse of the faculty of speech; pardon our
unmeaning, insincere, and deceptive language towards our fellow-creatures,
even where it is not our actual intention to lie; and especially forgive
our unmeaning prayers, and our insincere devotions; which though they be
not the offspring of designing hypocrisy, are the effusions of ignorance,
carelessness, and formalism."
Therefore, dear brethren, not only give yourselves to
prayer, but yield yourselves up to the power, direction, and control of your
own devotions. Do not, from anything I have said, be induced to pray less,
but to do more. Do not lower the standard of your prayers—but elevate
the standard of your practice. What you have to do is to be men and women of
prayer, and then to let your character be cast in the mold of your prayers.
We all see things most clearly, and feel them most impressively, when we are
prostrate before the throne of God, and in his presence let us realize his
presence everywhere, and at all times; then shall we be likely to be the
same people in action, as we are in devotion, and glorify our Father in
heaven, not only by what we say to him—but by what we do for him.
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