How to make our prayers fervent
lay hold on God; and therefore it is an intolerable unthankfulness to leave this 'fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness, and to dig to ourselves cisterns that will hold no water,' Jer. 2:13; to leave Christ, and run to saints and angels, and the like, &c.
Ver. 2. 'Lord, hear my voice; let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.'
Mark here his constancy and instancy in prayer by his ingemination;‡ and this he doth not to work upon God, as if he were hard to be entreated to mercy, but to waken up his own heart, and to entreat of God a more inward and clear communion, communicating increase of grace; so as God's children are not satisfied with small portions of grace. And this did Daniel, Dan. 9:18, 19. O Lord, hear, forgive, hearken, do, defer not! His ardency shews into what an exigent he was brought; and indeed the Lord regards lukewarm prayers no more than lukewarm persons, so as he will spue them out.
Prayers must be like incense. It must be fired with zeal.
How to make our prayers fervent Quest. But some will ask, How shall we come to make our prayers fervent?
Six directions Ans. I answer, consider of our wants, and our necessity of supply, of our misery in our want, of our hope to prevail by prayer; and these will edge our affections in prayer. Consider also how these times, and the estate of the church do sympathy with thy particular depths. The church abroad is in great depths; and if we will have proof that we
are fellow-members, that we are children of that mother, let us labour for a fellow-feeling of their miseries, and make them our own; and to that end in our prayers allege the depths and pray, 'Help thou,
Lord, for vain is man's help,' Ps. 60:11. For extremity itself is a good argument to a father to help his children. Allege also the insolency of the enemies. 'Why should the heathen say, Where is our God?' Ps.
79:10. There is no church but useth more helps of humiliation than we do, which foretells a great judgment; for God cannot endure this lukewarmness. Therefore call upon God with fervency, else will he cast us into such extremities as shall force fire into us. He that is poor doth naturally speak supplications.
Direct. 2. Secondly, Look that we always be in such an estate as God may hear us. If we be not within the covenant with God, our prayers shall turn to sin.
Direct. 3. Thirdly, Take heed of wilful neglect of God's word. He that turneth his ears from hearing the law, his prayer shall be abominable, Prov. 28:9. Some cry down preaching and cry up prayer, making opposition between duties where none is. Dost thou think
God will hear thee, and thou wilt not hear him? Prov. 1:28.
Direct. 4. Fourthly, Take heed of double dealing with God. This is hateful to God, and therefore David, till he dealt plainly with himself by condemning himself, his prayers were but roaring as a beast taken in a snare and [that] cannot get out, roars for pain and despite, Ps.
32:3.
Direct. 5. Take heed, in the next place, of allowance of any sin, though never so little; and though it be only entertained in heart, the Lord will not hear our prayers, Ps. 66:18. For shall we think that God cares for our prayers when we make covenant with his enemies?