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I. THE EMPLOYMENT, THE IMPORTANCE OF WHICH IS ASSUMED. The employment of prayer. The end and object of all prayer is God. God, who is the only true object of prayer, has rendered, it a matter of positive and universal duty. The obligation cannot but be reasonably and properly inferred from those relations which are revealed as essentially existing between man and God.

II. THE NATURE OF THE HABIT, THE INDULGENCE OF WHICH IS CHARGED. Instead of submitting to and absolutely obeying the injunctions which God has imposed upon thee, thou art guilty of holding back and preventing the exercise of supplication. Some of the modes in which men are guilty of restraining prayer before God.

1. He restrains prayer who altogether omits it.

2. Who engages but seldom in it.

3. Who excludes from his supplications the matters which are properly the objects of prayer.

4. Who does not cherish the spirit of importunity in prayer.

III. THE EVILS, THE INFLICTION OF WHICH IS THREATENED.

1. Restraining prayer prevents the communication of spiritual blessings.

2. It exposes positively to the judicial wrath of God.

(James Parsons.)

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KJV: Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God.

WEB: Yes, you do away with fear, and hinder devotion before God.