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I. HOW SLOW MEN ARE TO PRAY IN PROSPERITY. It may be written down as an axiom, that "prosperity prevents prayer." Thank God it is an equally true axiom that "adversity prompts prayer."

1. We are apt to become careless of Divine things when prosperity smiles upon us.

2. There is also a danger of becoming absorbed in the business that is thus blessing you. The more we have, the more, as a rule, we want.

3. Prosperity, too, is prone to make us lose our sense of dependence upon God. The ballast of adversity is not to be despised.

II. HOW READY MEN ARE TO PRAY IN ADVERSITY. "Then" is a very commonplace adverb of time, but it is wonderfully expressive. Not till they were obliged to in any of these cases, not till pressed by utmost need did they cry. Not till they got to the end of the creature did they appeal to the Creator.

1. This truth, sad as it is, is noticeable in the case of temporal troubles. Those who have been thoughtless till the trouble came upon them, and prayerless too, begin to think and to pray as soon as the grief afflicts them. Thank God for the griefs that make us pray, for the troubles that drive us to the mercy-seat. Thank God that He sometimes takes the Aeolian harp and puts it where the rough winds blow, for it would remain mute did not the breezes sweep through its strings.

2. Sometimes it is in spiritual matters that this experience comes to us. Do not despair; cry loudly to God, plead the merit and death of Christ, and He will save you out of your troubles.

III. HOW WILLINGLY THE LORD HEARS THE PRAYER. True, it was belated; true, it was a small compliment to God to pray only when one was driven to it, but it does not seem to me as if God minded even that, so gracious and generous is He. He seems to say, "You are late in coming, but it is better late than never. I will heal you, I will deliver you." He does not reproach, He does not refuse, He does not even delay. They have been long in asking, but He is quick in saving.

(T. Spurgeon.)

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KJV: They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;

WEB: Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business in great waters;