Morning Star

DIFFICULTIES IN PRAYER.

We are accustomed to consider the man who prays a happy man. The man who communes with God while he prays is still happier. But the man who has so much communion with God that when he prays he is free from all obtruding extraneous thoughts is happiest of all. This is an attainment to which few christians arrive, though it is the duty and privilege of all.

One common difficulty in the way of prayer is worldly-mindedness. This of course belongs to that class of christians who have much worldly care ; many worldly things to see to, & who are apt to drink in the spirit of the world. There are many christians of this sort, who it would seem are in real danger when they pray of forgetting themselves, so that instead of addressing the throne of grace, unto which they are directed to come, they call for the attendance of their servants, cast up their accounts, examine the claims of their creditors and the like. We say all this is possible. They talk these things over in their sleep, and when they are awake, and why not when they pray. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh; and where grace does not govern our desires, what is there left to govern our words?

Another difficulty in prayer is often found in a disposition or tendency of the mind to do it in a hurry. We are led to this perhaps from a pressure of business. We have a journey to perform-promises to fulfil-bargains to make- accounts to adjust—claims to answer-and bills to settle. Any how there is much work to be done, and but little time to do it in. Every thing therefore that is done is done in a hurry ; and what is done in a hurry is ill done. A man never ought to be so out of breath when he prays that he cannot state his case, or offer any reasons why he implores the divine mercy. He would be ashamed to appear in such a manner before any earthly potentate.

Fear often hinders prayer- fear that we shall not suit others—that we shall not make a fine speech-that we shall be laughed at--or if it be in secret, that some one hears us, or is coming upon us. Say, christian, say, how many times have you been driven upon your feet by the rustling of a leaf or the step of a bird behind you. Now you know or ought to know that such kind of fear is entirely inconsistent with the nature and spirit of prayer. Nothing would drive you from it if your life was at stake and you were pleading for it. Say then, is not your soul worth more than your life-a life which at best is short and transitory ?

But, finally, unbelief or a want of faith is a great hindrance to prayer. He that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of all them that diligently seek him. Pride and unbelief drive the soul away from God, and consequently to the brink, if not entirely into despair. Unbelief will tell us there is no God, or if there is, he will not hear us- while pride will shame us for the poor addresses we have made him-nay will long twit us about them afterward.

Now since we have spoken of difficulties in prayer let us propose a remedy. And, first, let us be satisfied that there are difficulties-and that they trouble us either separately as we have stated them, or unitedly, or in connection with other difficulties which we may not stop now to name. Suffer us to ask you, beloved christian -do you not find many interruptions and impediments to prayer ? If so, do you, and ought you not to, seek out the cause ? Before it can be expected any one will apply for a remedy, he must be first be convinced of his disease. So with you. You must first know the plague of thine heart before you will be induced to apply for a spiritual balm. You certainly know whether you have free and full access to the throne of grace or not. If you do not then search for the cause. Search diligently and perseveringly till you find out where it is and what it is--and then be determined to overcome it. Bring your whole soul down upon it with the whole weight of prayer and fasting. If wicked thoughts trouble you as the birds did the good old patriarch Abraham when they attempted to pick away his sacrifice, then, like him, drive them away. Resist every temptation-fix thy soul on God- give up thy life and all thy care unto him-shut out the world from thy thoughts—be not in a hurry when you pray, but pray patiently-give room for faith-drink deeply into the spirit of the Bible, and may God hear and bless you.