A Method for Prayer01 Matthew Henry (continued)
Now the God ofhope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, that we may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost.
4. WE MUST PRAY FOR THE GRACE OF GOD AND ALL THE KIND AND POWERFUL INFLUENCES AND OPERATIONS OF THAT GRACE.
We come to the throne ofgrace, that we may obtain not only mercy to pardon, but grace to help in every time of need, grace for seasonable help. Hebrews 4:16.
From the fulness that is in Jesus Christ (in whom it pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell) let every one ofus receive, and grace for grace. John 1:16. Colossians 1:19.
4.1. We mustprayforgrace to fortify us against every evilthought, wordand work. Having been earnestfor the removing of the guilt of sin, that we may not diefor it as a crime, we must be no less earnest for the breaking ofthepower of sin, that we may not die by it as a disease; but that it may be mortified in us.
O let no iniquity have dominion over us, because we are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:14.
Let the flesh be crucified in us with its affections and lusts; that walking in the Spirit we may not fulfil the lusts of the flesh.
Let our old man be crucified with Christ, that the body of sin may be destroyed, that henceforth we may not serve sin; and let not sin reign in our mortal bodies (in our immortal souls) that we should obey it in the lusts thereof. But being made free from sin, let us become the servants of righteousness. Romans 6:6, 12, 18.
Let the law of the Spirit of life, which is in Christ Jesus, make us free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2.
Give us grace to put offthe old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, that we may put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians 4.22, That the world may be crucified to us, and we to the world, by the cross of Christ. Galatians 6:14.
— And that the temptations of Satan may not overcome us.
We pray that we may not enter into temptation: Or however, that no temptation may take us but such as is common to men, and let the faithful God never suffer us to be tempted above what we are able, but with the temptation make way for us to escape. Matthew
26:41. 1 Corinthians 10:13.
Put upon us the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand; Let our loins be girt about with truth: put onus the breastplate ofrighteousness, and let our feet be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Give us the shield of faith, wherewith we may quench all the fiery dares of the wicked, and the helmet of salvation; and let the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, be always ready to us. Ephesians 6:11-17.
Enable us so to resist the devil, as that he may flee from us; to resist him steadfast in the faith. And the God ofpeace tread Satan under our feet and do it shortly. James 4:7. 1 Peter 5:9. Romans 16:20.
4.2. We mustprayforgrace tofurnish usfor everygoodthought, word, and work; that we may not only be keptfrom sin but may be in everything as we should be anddo as we should do.
Let Christ be made of God to us not only righteousness, but wisdom, sanctification, and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30.
Let us be planted together in the likeness of Christ's death and resurrection, that as he was raised from the dead by the glory of the
Father, so we also may walk in newness of life. Romans 6:5, 4.
4.2.1. That the work ofgrace may be wrought there where it is not yet begun.
Lord, teach transgressors your ways, and let sinners be converted unto you; and let the disobedient be turned to the wisdom of the just; and made ready, a people prepared for the Lord. Psalm 51:13.
Let those be quickened that are yet dead in trespasses and sins: Say unto them, Live; yea, say unto them, Live; and the time shall be a time of love. Ephesians 2:1. Ezekiel 16:6, 8.
Open their eyes, and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them which are sanctified. Acés
By the blood of the covenant send forth the prisoners out of the pit in which is no water, that they may turn to the strong hold, as prisoners of hope. Zechariah 9:11, 12.
Let the word of God prevail to the pulling down of strong holds, and the casting down of imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and let every thought be brought into obedience to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:4, 5.
4.2.2. That where it is begun it may be carried on, and at length perfected, and thefoundation that is welllaid may be happily built upon.
Fulfil in us all the good pleasure of your goodness, and the work of faith with power. 2 Thessalonians 1:11.
Let the God that has begun a good work in us, perform it unto the day of Christ. Philippians 1:6.
Perfect, O God, that which concerns us: Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; forsake not the work of your own hands. Psa/m
Lord, let your grace be sufficient for us, and let your strength be made perfect in weakness; that where we are weak there we may be strong; strong in the Lord and the power of his might. 2
Corinthians 12:9, 10. Ephesians 6:10.
4.3. More particularly we must pray for grace.
4.3.1. To teach and instruct us and make us knowing and intelligent in the things of God.
Give us so to cry after knowledge, and lift up our voice for understanding, to seek for it as silver, and to search for it as for hid treasure, that we may understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:3, 4, 5.
Give us all to know you, from the least even to the greatest, and to follow on to know you; and so to know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent, as may be life eternal to us.
Hebrews 8:11. Hosea 6:3. John 17:3.
Give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ, that the eyes of our understanding being enlightened, we may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and may experience what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us ward who believe; according to the working of his mighty power. Ephesians 1:17, 18, Open you our eyes, that we may see the wondrous things of your law and gospel. Psalm 119:18.
Give us to know the certainty ofthose things wherein we have been instructed; and let our knowledge grow up to all riches of the full assurance ofunderstanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, even of the Father and of Christ. Luke 1:4. Colossians 2:2.
Deal with your servants according to your mercy and teach us your statutes; we are your servants, give us understanding that we may know your testimonies. Let our cry come before you, O Lord, give us understanding according to your word; that good understanding which they have that do your commandments; whose praise endures forever. Psalm 119:124, 125, 169. Psalm 111:10.
4.3.2. To lead us into, and keep us in the way oftruth, and ifin anything we be in an error, to rectify our mistake.
Let the Spirit of truth guide us into all truth and cause us to understand wherein we have erred. John 16:13. Job 6:24.
That which we see not teach you us, and enable us so to prove all things, as to hold fast that which is good. Job 34:32. 1 Thessalonians
Lord, grant that we may not be as children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind ofdoctrine, by the slight of men, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Christ in all things, who is the head. Ephesians 4:14, 15.
Lord, give us so to do your will, as that we may know of the doctrine whether it be of God; and so, to know the truth, as that the truth may make us free, may make us free indeed. John 7:17. John 8:32, Enable us, we pray you, to hold fast the form ofsound words, which we have heard, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus, and to continue in the things which we have learned and been assured of.
2 Timothy 1:13. 2 Timothy 3:14.
4.3.3. To help our memories, that the truths of God may be ready to us, whenever we have occasion to use them.
Lord, let your Spirit teach us all things, and bring all things to our remembrance, whatsoever you have said unto us; that the word of Christ may dwell richly in us in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. John 14:26. Colossians 3:16. Colossians 1:9.
Lord, grant that we may give a more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we let them slip, and may keep in memory what hath been preached to us and may not believe in vain. Hebrews 2:1. 1 Corinthians 15:2.
Lord, make us ready and mighty in the scriptures, that we may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works; and being well instructed unto the kingdom of heaven, may as the good householder, bring out of our treasure things new and old. Acts
18:24. 2 Timothy 3:17. Matthew 13:52.
4.3.4. To direct our consciences, to shew us the way of our duty, and to make us wise, knowing,judicious Christians.
Lord, give us a wise and an understanding heart, that wisdom which in all cases is profitable to direct; that wisdom of the prudent which is to understand his way. 1 Kings 3:9, 12. Ecclesiastes
This we pray, that our love may abound yet more and more in knowledge, and in all judgment, that we may discern things that differ, and may approve things that are excellent; That we may be sincere and without offense unto the day of Christ, and may be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9, 10, 11.
O that we may be filled with the knowledge of your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That we may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:9, 10.
Teach us your way, O God, and lead us in a plain path, because of our observers. Psalm 27-11.
When we know not what to do, our eyes are up unto you; Then let us hear the word behind us, saying, This is the way, walk in it, that we turn not to the right hand, or to the left.
Order our steps in your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over us. Psalm 119:133.
4.3.5.To sanctify our natures, toplant in us allholyprinciples and dispositions, and to increase every grace in us.
The very God of peace sanctify us wholly, and we pray God our whole spirit, and soul and body, may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; for faithful is he that calleth us, who also will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24.
Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renewa right spirit within us; Cast us not away from your presence and take not your holy spirit away from us; Restore unto us the joy of your salvation and uphold us with your free spirit. Psalm 51:10, 11, 12.
Write your law in our hearts, and put it in our inward pare, that we may be the epistles of Christ written by the Spirit of the living God, not in tables ofstone, but in fleshy tables of the heart, that the law of our God being in our heart, none of our steps may slide, and we may delight to do your will, O God, may delight in the law of God after the inward man. Hebrews 8:10. 2 Corinthians 3:3. Psalm
37:31. Psalm 40:8. Romans 7:22.
O that we may obey from the heart that form of doctrine into which we desire to be delivered, as into a mold, that our whole souls may be leavened by it; and that we may not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our mind; may not fashion ourselves after our former lusts in our ignorance, but as obedient children may be holy in all manner ofconversation, as he which hath called us is holy. Romans 6:17. Matthew 13:33.
Romans 12:2. 1 Peter 1:14, 15.
4.3.5.1. We must pray forfaith.
Unto us (Lord) let it be given to believe; for the faith by which we are saved is not of ourselves, it is the gift of God. Philippians 1:29.
Lord, increase our faith; and perfect what is lacking in it, that we may be strong in faith, giving glory to God. Luke 17:5.
Thessalonians 3:10. Romans 4.20.
Lord, give us so to be crucified with Christ, as that the life we now live in the flesh we may live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us, and gave himself for us; And so to bear about with us continually the dying of the Lord Jesus, as that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal bodies.
As we have received Christ Jesus the Lord, enable us so to walk in him, rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith as we have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Colossians
Let every word ofyours profit us, being mixed with faith, by which we receive your testimony, and set to our seal that God is true.
Hebrews 4:2. John 3:33.
We beseech you work in us that faith which is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence ofthings not seen, by which we may look above the things that are seen that are temporal, and may look at the things that are not seen that are eternal. Hebrews 11:1.
Enable us by faith to set the Lord always before us, and to have our eyes ever towards him; that we may act in everything as seeing him that is invisible and having a respect to the recompence of reward.
Psalm 16:8. Psalm 25:15. Hebrews 11:27, 26.
Let our hearts be purified by faith, and let it be our victory overcoming the world. And let us be kept from fainting by believing that we shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Acts 15:9. 1 John 5:4. Psalm 27:13.
4.3.5.2. We must pray for the fear of God.
Lord, workin us that fear ofyou, which is the beginning ofwisdom, which is the instruction of wisdom, and which is a fountain of life to depart from the snares of death. Proverbs 1:7. Proverbs 15:33.
Unite our hearts to fear your name, that we may keep your commandments, which is the whole of man. Psalm 86:11.
O put your fear into our hearts, that we may never depart from you. Let us all be devoted to your fear; And let us be in the fear of the Lord every day, and all day long. Jeremiah 32:40. Psalm 119:38.
4.3.5.3. We mustpray that the love of God and Christ may be rooted in us, and in order thereunto, that the love of the world may be rooted out ofus.
Give us grace (we beseech you) to love you the Lord our God with all our heart and soul, and mind and might, which is the first and great commandment, to set our love upon you, and to delight ourselves always in you, and therein we shall have the desire of our heart. Matthew 22:37, 38. Psalm 91:14. Psalm 37:4.
Circumcise our hearts to love you the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our soul, that we may live. Deuteronomy 30:6.
O that the love of God may be shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost. Romans 5:5.
O that Jesus Christ may be very precious to us, as he is to all that believe, that he may be in our account the chief of ten thousands, and altogether lovely; and that he may be our beloved and our friend: That though we have not seen him, yet we may love him, and though now we see him not, yet believing we may rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. 1 Peter 2:7. Canticle (Song of Solomon) 5:10, 16. 1 Peter 1:8.
Let the love of Christ to us constrain us to live, not to ourselves, but to him that died for us and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15.
And, Lord, grant that we may not love the world, nor the things that are in the world, because if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him; that we may set our affections on things above, and not on things that are on the earth. 1 John 2-15.
4.3.5.4. We mustpray that our consciences may be always tender, and that we may live a life ofrepentance.
Lord, take away the stony heart out of our flesh, and give us a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 11:19.
Make us afraid of all appearances of evil, and careful not to give Satan advantage against us, as being not ignorant of his devices. 1
Thessalonians 5:22. 2 Corinthians 2:11.
Lord, give us the happiness which they have that fear always; that when we think we stand, we may take heed lest we fall. Proverbs
28:14. 1 Corinthians 10:12.
4.3.5.5. We must pray to God to work in us charity and brotherly love.
Lord, put upon us that charity, which is the bond of perfectness, that we may keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and may live in love and peace, that the God of love and peace may be with us. Colossians 3:14. Ephesians 4:3.
Lord, give us to love our neighbor as ourselves, with that love which is the fulfilling of the law; to love one another with a pure heart fervently, that hereby all men may know that we are Christ's disciples. Romans 13:9, 10. 1 Peter 1:22. John 13:35.
And as we are taught of God to love one another, give us to abound therein more and more, and as we have opportunity to do good to all men, and as much as in us lies to live peaceably with all men; always following after the things that make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. 1 Thessalonians 4:9, 10. Galatians
6:10. Romans 12:18. Romans 14-19.
Lord, make us able to love our enemies, to bless them that curse us, and to pray for them that despitefully use us, and to do good to them that hate us, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another in love, as Christ forgave us. Matthew 5:44. Colossians 3:13.
4.3.5.6. We must prayfor the grace ofself-denial.
Lord, give us grace to deny ourselves, to take up our cross daily, and to follow Christ, to keep under the body, and bring it into subjection. Matthew 16:24. 1 Corinthians 9:27.
Lord, keep us from being lovers of our own selves, from being wise in our own conceit, and leaning to our own understanding. 2 Timothy
3:2. Proverbs 3:7, 5.
Lord, give us to seek not our own only, but everyone his brother's welfare.
And grant that none ofus may live to ourselves, or die to ourselves, but whether we live or die we may be the Lord's and may live and die to him. Romans 14:7, 8.
4.3.5.7. We mustprayfor humility and meekness.
Lord, give us all to learn of Christ to be meek and lowly in heart, that we may find rest to our souls; and that herein the same mind may be in us that was also in Christ Jesus. Matthew 11:29.
Lord, hide pride from us, and clothe us with humility, and put upon us the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which in your sight is ofgreat price. Job 33:17. 1 Peter 5:5. 1 Peter 3:4.
Lord, give us grace to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering forbearing one another in love. Ephesians 4-1, 2.
Let anger never rest in our bosoms, nor the sun ever go down upon our wrath; but enable us to shew all meekness towards all men, because we ourselves also were sometimes foolish and disobedient.
Ecclesiastes 7:9. Ephesians 4.26. Titus 3:2, 3.
Let us be clothed as becomes the elect of God, holy and beloved, with bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and long-suffering; that being merciful as our Father which is in heaven is merciful, we may be perfect as he is perfect. Colossians
3:12. Luke 6:36. Matthew 5 (v. 48).
4.3.5.8. We mustprayfor the grace ofcontentment and patience, and a holy indifferency to all the things ofsense and time.
Lord, teach us whatsoever state we are in therewith to be content; let us know both how to be abased, and how to abound, everywhere and in all things let us be instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need; And let godliness with contentment be great gain to us; and a little with the fear of the Lord and quietness, is better than great treasure and trouble therewith. Philippians 4:11, 12. 1 Timothy 6:6. Proverbs 15:16.
Lord, grant that our conversation may be without covetousness, and we may always be content with such things as we have; still saying, The will of the Lord be done. Hebrews 13:5. Acts 21:14.
Enable us in our patience to possess our own souls; and let patience always have its perfect work, that we may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Luke 21:19. James 1:4.
Lord, give us grace to weep as though we wept not, and to rejoice as though we rejoiced not, and to buy as though we possessed not, and to use this world as not abusing it, because the time is short, and the fashion of this world passes away. 1 Corinthians 7:29, 30, 4.3.5.9. We mustprayfor the grace ofhope, a hope in God and Christ, and a hope ofeternal life.
Let patience work experience in us, and experience hope, such a hope as makes not ashamed. Through patience and comfort of the scriptures let us have hope and be saved by hope. Romans 5.4, 5.
Romans 15:4. Romans 8:24.
Let the God of Jacob be our help, and our hope always be in the Lord our God. Psalm 146:5.
Let us be begotten again toa lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and let that hope be to us as an anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast, entering into that within the veil, whither the forerunner is for us entered. 1 Peter 1:3. Hebrews 6:19, 20.
Let us have Christ in us the hope of glory, and never be moved away from that hope of the gospel; but enable us to give diligence unto the full assurance of hope unto the end. Colossians 1:27, 23.
4.3.5.10. We mustprayfor grace topreserve usfrom sin, and all appearances ofit and approaches towards it.
Now we pray to God that we may do no evil but may be blameless and harmless as the children of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. 2
Turn away our eyes from beholding vanity and quicken you us in your way; Remove from us the way of lying and grant us your law graciously. Psalm 119:37, 29.
Incline not our hearts to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with them that work iniquity, and let us not eat of their dainties.
O cleanse us from our secret faults, keep back your servants also from presumptuous sins; let not them have dominion over us, but let us be upright and innocent from the great transgressions, and grant that hereby we may prove ourselves upright before you, by keeping ourselves from our own iniquity. Psalm 19:12, 13. Psalm
Let your word be hid in our hearts, that we may not sin against you, and your grace be at all times sufficient for us, ready to us, and mighty in us, and never give us up to our own hearts lusts, to walk in our own counsels. Psa/m 119-11. 2 Corinthians 12:9. Psalm 81:12.
Enable us to walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, so circumspectly, that we may cut offoccasion from them which desire occasion to blaspheme that worthy name by which we are called, and with well-doing may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, and may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior, in all things.
Ephesians 5:15. 2 Corinthians 11:12. James 2:7. 1 Peter 2:15. Titus 2.10.
4.3.5.11. We mustprayfor grace to enable us both to govern our tongues well, and to use them well.
Lord, enable us to take heed to our ways, that we offend not with our tongue, and to keep our mouth as it were witha bridle, that it may not be hasty to utter anything. Psalm 39:1. Ecclesiastes 5:2.
Set a watch, O Lord, before our mouth, keep the door of our lips, that we may not offend in word. Psalm 141:3. James 3:2.
Let our speech be always with grace seasoned with salt and enable us always out of the good treasure of our heart to bring forth good things. Let our mouth speak wisdom, and our tongue talk of judgment; and let not your words depart out of our mouth, nor out of the mouth of our seed, or our seed's seed, from henceforth and forever. Colossians 4:6. Matthew 12:35. Psalm 37:30. Isaiah 59:21.
Enable us always to open our mouth with wisdom and let the law of kindness be in our tongue: Give us to know what is acceptable, that our tongue may be as choice silver, and our lips may feed many.
Proverbs 31:26. Proverbs 10:32, 20, 21.
4.3.5.12. We mustprayfor grace to direct and quicken us to, and to strengthen and assist us in our duty in the whole course of our conversation.
Let the grace of God, which hath appeared to us, and to all men, bringing salvation, effectually teach us to deny all ungodliness and worldly fleshly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world, looking for the blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himselffor us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works. Titus 2:1114.
(That we may be prudent and discreet in our duty.) You have said, If any man lack wisdom, he must ask it of God, who gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not, and it shall be given him. Lord, we want wisdom, make us wise as serpents, and harmless as doves, that wisdom may make our face shine, and may be better to us than weapons of war. James 1:5. Matthew 10:16.
Enable us to walk in wisdom towards them that are without, redeeming the time. Colossians 4:5.
Give us to order all our affairs with discretion; and to behave ourselves wisely in a perfect way, with a perfect heart. Psalm 112:5.
(That we may be honest and sincere in our duty.) Let our wisdom be not that from beneath, which is earthly, sensual, devilish, but wisdom from above, which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:15, 17.
O that we may always have our conversation in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God. 2 Corinthians 1:12.
Lord, uphold us in our integrity, and set us before your face forever, and let integrity and uprightness preserve us, for we wait on you.
Psalm 41:12. Psalm 25:21.
Let our hearts be sound in your statutes, that we be not ashamed; and let our eye be single, that our whole body may be full of light.
Psalm 119-80. Matthew 6:22.
(That we may be active anddiligent in our duty.) Lord, quicken us to work the works of him that was sent us, while it is day, because the night comes wherein no man can work, and what good our hand finds to do, to do it with all our might, because there is no work or knowledge in the grave, whither we are going. John 9:4. Ecclesiastes
Lord, grant that we may never be slothful in any good business, but fervent in spirit serving the Lord; steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as we know that our labor is not in vain in the Lord. Romans 12:11. 1 Corinthians 15:58.
Lord, make us zealously affected in every good work; and what we do enable us to do it heartily as unto the Lord, and not unto men.
Galatians 4:18. Colossians 3:23.
Lord, enable us to do the work ofevery day in its day, according as the duty of the day requires, redeeming the time, because the days are evil; that when our Lord comes, he may find us doing. Ezra 3:4.
Ephesians 5:16. Luke 12:43.
(That we may be resolute andcourageous in ourduty, as those that know that though we may be losersfor Christ, we shall not be losers by Him in the end.) Lord, teach us to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ; that we may not fear the reproach of men, or their reviling, nor be ashamed of Christ or of his words, knowing whom we have believed, even one who is able to keep what we have committed to him against that day.
2 Timothy 2:3. Isaiah 51:7.
Mark 8:38. 2 Timothy 1:12.
Though bonds and afflictions should abide us, Lord, grant that none of these things may move us, and that we may not count life itself dear to us, so we may finish our course with joy. Acts 20:23, 24, Enable us in all things to approve ourselves to God, and then to pass by honorand dishonor, by evil report and good report, clad with the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, as those that account it a very small thing to be judged of man's judgment, for he that judges us is the Lord. 2 Corinthians 6.4, 8,
7. 1 Corinthians 4-3, 4.
(That we may bepleasant and cheerful in our duty.) Lord, enable us to rejoice evermore; to rejoice in the Lord always, because he hath again said unto us, rejoice; that we may go on our way rejoicing, may eat our bread with joy, and drink our wine with a merry heart, as we shall have reason to do if God now accepts our works. 1
Thessalonians 5:16. Philippians 4.4. Acts 8:39. Ecclesiastes 9:7.
Give us grace to serve you the Lord our God with joyfulness and gladness ofheart in the abundance of all things; And to sing in the ways of the Lord, because great is the glory of our God.
Deuteronomy 28:47. Psalm 138:5.
Let us have that cheerfulness of heart which doth good like a medicine and deliver us from that heaviness which makes the heart stoop, and that sorrow of the world which worketh death. Proverbs
17:22. Proverbs 12:25. 2 Corinthians 7:10.
(That we may do the duty of every condition of life, every event of providence, and every relation wherein we stand.) Lord, enable us, in a day ofprosperity to be joyful, and ina day ofadversity, to consider, because God hath set the one over against the other; to add to our knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience. Ecclesiastes
Give us grace to abide with you in the calling wherein we are called; and in all our ways to acknowledge you, and be you pleased to direct our steps. 1 Corinthians 7:24. Proverbs 3:6.
Let those that are called, being servants,be the Lord's freemen, and those that are called, being free, be Christ's servants. 1 Corinthians
7:22, Let all in every relation dwell together in unity, that it may be as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion. O that we may dwell together as joint heirs of the grace of life, that our prayers may not be hindered. Psalm 133:1, Give us grace to honor all men, to love the brotherhood, to fear God, and to be subject to the higher powers, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 1 Peter 2:17. Romans 13:1, 5.
(That we may be universally conscientious.) O that we may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12.
O that our ways were directed to keep your commandments! And then shall we not be ashamed, when we havea respect to them all.
Teach us, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and we shall keep it unto the end: Give us understanding, and we shall keep your law, yea we shall observe it with our whole heart: Make us go in the path of your commandments, for therein do we delight. Incline our hearts unto your testimonies, and not to covetousness. Psalm 119:33-36.
Grant us, we pray you, according to the riches of your glory, that we may be strengthened with all might by your Spirit in the inner man: That Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith, and that we being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and may know the love of Christ which pass knowledge; and be filled with a divine fulness, and may partake of a divine nature. Ephesians
3:16-19. 2 Peter 1:4.
And let the love of Christ constrain us to live not to ourselves, but to him that died for us, and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15.
4.3.5.13. We mustprayfor grace to make us wiser and better every day than other.
Lord, give us to increase with the increases of God; to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; to hold on our way, and having clean hands to grow stronger and stronger. Colossians 2:19. 2 Peter 3:18. Job 17-9.
Let our path be as the shining light, which shines more and more to the perfect day. Proverbs 4:18.
We have not yet attained, nor are we already perfect; Lord, grant that therefore forgetting the things that are behind, we may reach forth to those things that are before, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12, 13, 14.
Be you as the dew unto us, that we may grow as the lily, and cast forth our roots as Lebanon; that our branches may spread, and our beauty be as the olive-tree. And let the Sun of righteousness arise upon us with healing under his wings, that we may go forth and grow up as calves of the stall. Hosea 14:5, 6. Malachi 4:2.
4.3.5.14. We mustprayfor effectual support and comfort under all the crosses and afflictions that we meet with in this world.
We know that we are born to trouble as the sparks fly upward; but in six troubles, be you pleased to deliver us, and in seven let no evil touch us. Job 5:7, 19.
Let the eternal God be our refuge, and underneath be the everlasting arms; that the spirit you have made may not fail before you, nor the soul that you have redeemed. Deuteronomy 33:27.
Isaiah 57:16. Psalm 71:23.
Let us be strengthened with all might according to your glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness.
Let your statutes be our songs in the house of our pilgrimage; and let your testimonies, which we have taken as a heritage forever, be always the rejoicing of our hearts. Psalm 119:54, 111.
When we are troubled on every side, yet let us not be distressed, and when we are perplexed, yet let us not be in despair; but as sorrowful, and yet always rejoicing, as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
4.3.5.15. We mustprayfor grace topreserve us to the end, and tofit usfor whatever lies before us betwixt and the grave.
Lord, deliver us from every evil work, and preserve us to your heavenly kingdom, being kept from falling, that we may be presented faultless at the coming of your glory with exceeding joy. 2
Timothy 4:18. Jude 24.
Lord, make us to increase and abound in love one towards another, and towards all men, that our hearts may be established unblameable in holiness, before God even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
1 Thessalonians 3:12, 13.
If Satan desire to have us that he may sift us as wheat, yet let Christ's intercession prevail for us, that our faith fail not. Luke
Till we are taken out of the world, let us be kept from the evil, and sanctified through your truth; your word is truth. John 17:15, 17.
Build us up, we pray you, in our most holy faith, and keep us in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 20, 21.
Grant that we may continue to call upon you as long as we live, and till we die may never remove our integrity from us; and that our righteousness we may hold fast, and never let it go, and our hearts may not reproach us so long as we live. Psalm 116-2. Job 27:5, 6.
4.3.5.16. We mustprayfor grace toprepare usfor death, and to carry us well through our dying moments.
Lord, make us to know our end, and the measure of our days what it is, that we may know and consider how frail we are; and that our days are as a hand breadth, and that every man at his best state is altogether vanity, and our days upon earth are as a shadow, and there is no abiding. Psalm 39:4, 5.
Lord, teach us so to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom, and make us to consider our latter end. Psalm 90:12.
Lord, make us always ready, with our loins girded about, and our lights burning, because the Son of man comes at an hour that we think not. Luke 12:35, 40.
Keep us all the days of our appointed time, waiting till our change comes; and then shalt you call, and we will answer. Job 14:14, 15.
Bring us to our grave as a shock ofcorn in its season; satisfy us with life, whether it be longer or shorter, and show us your salvation. Job
5:26. Psalm 91 (v. 16).
And when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, be you with us, that we may fear no evil, let your rod and your staff comfort us. Psalm 23:4.
Let goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our life and let us dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Mercy and truth be with us.
Redeem our souls from the power of the grave, and receive us; Guide us by your counsel, and afterwards receive us to glory. Psalm
4.3.5.17. We mustprayfor grace tofit usfor heaven, and that we may at length beput in possession ofeternal life.
Lord, make us meet to partake of the inheritance of the saints in light; let God himselfwork us to the self-same thing, and give us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. Colossians 1:12. 2 Corinthians
O that we may now have our conversation in heaven, that we may from thence with comfort look for the Savior the Lord Jesus, who shall change our vile bodies, that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. Philippians 3:20, 21.
O that now we may set our affections on things above, and that our life may be hid with Christ in God, that when Christ who is our life shall appear, we may also appear with him in glory; that when he shall appear we may be like him, and may see him as he is, may behold his face in righteousness, and when we awake may be satisfied with his likeness. Colossians 3:2, 3, 4. 1 John 3:2. Psalm
When we fail, let us be received into everlasting habitations, in the city that hath foundation, whose builder and maker is God, that we may be together for ever with the Lord, to see as we are seen, and know as we are known.
Thessalonians 4:17. 1 Corinthians 13:12.
And in the meantime, help us to comfort ourselves and one another with these words; and having this hope in us to purify ourselves even as Christ is pure.
1 Thessalonians 4:18. 1 John 3:3.
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, who hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort our hearts, and stablish us in every good word and work. 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17.
4.3.5.18. We must pray for the good things of this life, with a humble submission to the will of God.
Lord, you have told us, that godliness hath the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come; And that ifwe seek first the kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof, other things shall be added to us; and therefore we cast all our care about these things upon you, who cares for us, for our heavenly Father knows that we have need of all these things. 1 Timothy 4.8.
Matthew 6:33. 1 Peter 5:7. Matthew 6:32.
4.3.5.19. We mustpray to bepreservedfrom the calamities to which we are exposed.
You, Lord, are our refuge and our fortress, and under your wings will we trust, your truth shall be our shield and buckler; Let us therefore not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flies by day. Having made the Lord our refuge, and the most High our habitation, let no evil befall us, nor any plague come nigh our dwelling. Psalm 91:2, 4, 5, 9, 10.
Let the Lord be our keeper, even he that keeps Israel, and neither slumbers nor sleeps. Let the Lord be our shade on our right hand; That the sun may not smite us by day, nor the moon by night; Let the Lord preserve us from all evil, the Lord preserve our souls; The Lord preserves our going out and coming in, from this time forth, and even for ever more. Psalm 121:4-8.
Lord, make a hedge about us, about our houses, and about all that we have round about; and take sickness away from the midst ofus.
Job 1:10. Exodus 23:25.
4.3.5.20. We mustpray to be supplied with the comforts and supports we daily stand in need of.
O that the beauty of the Lord our God maybe upon us, prosper you the work of our hands upon us, yea the work of our hands establish you it; Save now, we beseech you, O Lord; O Lord, we beseech you send now prosperity. Psalm 90:17. Psalm 118:25.
Let our sons be as plants grown up in their youth, and our daughters as corner stones polished after the similitude of a palace: Let our garners be full, affording all manner ofstore; And let there be no breaking in or going out; no complaining within our streets: Happy is the people that is in such a case, yea rather happy is the people whose God is the Lord. Psalm 144:12-15.
Let us be blessed in the city, and blessed in the field, let our basket and store be blessed, let us be blessed when we come in, and when we go out. Deuteronomy 28:3, 5, 6.
Let your good providence so order all events concerning us, as that they may be made to work for good to us, as you have promised they shall to all that love you and are called according to your purpose. Romans 8-28.
Give us to trust in the Lord and do good, and then we shall dwell in the land, and verily we shall be fed; and be you pleased to bring forth our righteousness as the light, and our judgment as the noonday. Psalm 37:3, 6.
Let us be hid from the scourge of the tongue, and not be afraid of destruction when it cometh; let us be in league with the stones of the field, and let the beasts of the field be at peace with us; let us know that our tabernacle is in peace, and let us visit our habitation and not sin. Job 5:21, 23, 24.
And if God will be with us, and will keep us in the way that we go, during our pilgrimage in this world, and will give us bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that we may come to our heavenly
Father's house in peace, then the Lord shall be our God. Genesis 28:20, 21.
4.3.5.21. We mustplead thepromises of Godfor the enforcing of all ourpetitions, put thesepromises in suit, and refer ourselves to them.
Lord, you have given us many exceeding great and precious promises, which are all yea and Amen in Christ. Now be it unto your servants according to the word which you have spoken. 2 Peter
1:4, 2 Corinthians 1:20. Luke 1:38. 2 Samuel 7:25.
Give us to draw water with joy out of those wells of salvation, to suck and be satisfied from those breasts of consolation; And now, O Lord God, let the word which you have spoken concerning your servants be established forever, and do as you have said. Isaiah 12:3.
Isaiah 66:11. 2 Samuel 7:25. 1 Chronicles 17:23.
Deal with us according to the tenor of the everlasting covenant, which is well ordered in all things and sure, and which is all our salvation, and all our desire. 2 Samuel 23:5.
Look upon us and be merciful to us, as you used to do unto those that love your name and do more for us than we are able to ask or think and supply all our needs according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Psalm 119:132. Ephesians 3:20. Philippians 4:19.