Daniel 9:3 And I set my face to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: Prayer is often miconceived in all churches and by all parties. 1. The end of prayer, offered in private, is not to inform God. Many persons pray as if they wish to tell God what God does not know. 2. Prayer is not loud speaking, or much speaking, or any one special form whatever. 3. Prayer is not prescribed in the Scripture, or offered by a true believer, in order to work any change in God. 4. We must not associate prayer with any idea of atonement or expiation. 5. Some persons give up all hope, because God does not hear them. They say, "Our prayers are so mixed with wandering and simple thoughts, and are so imperfect that we cannot pray aright." This implies a lingering notion that our prayers are expiatory, or a title to Heaven. 6. We must not pray, "to be seen of men." 7. Prayer is not to be an excuse or apology for the neglect of duties. 8. It is not an exercise suited merely to a great crisis. 9. Prayer should be addressed unto God, as our Father; and in the name and through the mediation of Christ; and in the strength and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. (John Cumming, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: |
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