Southern Christian Advocate

Do You Pray?

It is morning. A dark and stormy night has passed. Many of your fellow-beings have been in great peril; and some are no more in this world. What was a quiet night of sleep to you, was to them the sleep of death. You were resting on your bed, on the great ocean they were thrown about. You see the light, are in health, and the blessings of a kind Providence are most bountiful. God has watched over you, and guarded you, and brought you to enter upon the privileges and duties of the day. Do you thank Him for it?

It is evening. The day has passed; and during it you have dashed on in your work. You have been fed and clothed, and have had strength to meet its many engagements. No accident has befallen you--no loss to your property. You feel that you have done a good business. The hour of rest draws nigh. Will you sleep without thanking God for the blessings of the day, and asking him to keep you through the night? How hard must be your heart, and how stupid, if all God's mercies call forth no grateful remembrance?

The Sabbath has now come. The church bell is beginning to make its peals. The people are going to the house of God. You are permitted to join them. You hear the prayers and praises of the sanctuary. The gospel too--its warnings and promises. You are edified and comforted perhaps. Do you pray, and praise, and thank God for all these privileges?

You are in health. A short time since you were sick. You were confined to your bed. You could not see to any of your business. It was thought that you might not recover. Who raised you? Who has given you health and strength again? From God cometh every good and perfect gift. Do you thank Him for it? Should you not esteem it a great privilege to do so?

Reader you can live without prayer. You can be unmindful of all your obligations to God. You can neglect all the vital duties of religion, and go through life as stupid as an ox. But what then? There is a God, and a heaven, and a hell! You are bound to the judgment, and must answer for it all. You are most unwise to be irreligious. If you live without prayer, it will be a sad matter to settle in the end. Those who pray not, have no grace, and no ground to hope. O! if you have lived prayerless till now, do it no more. Pray in the morning--pray in the evening--pray upon the Sabbath--pray in health--pray always with all prayer and watch thereunto--pray without ceasing. It will do you good. It will fit you to live or die. Pour out your heart before God.