Homilist Psalm 5:3 My voice shall you hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer to you, and will look up. I. THE CHRISTIAN'S RESOLUTION. To pray. 1. Prayer is a duty and a privilege. It implies spiritual life — filial relationship — freedom of access to God. The spirit of prayer must be earnestly cultivated. 2. God is the supreme and immediate object of prayer. "I will direct my prayer unto Thee." The mediation of priests and saints or of the Virgin Mary superfluous. "Call upon Me in the day of trouble," etc. 3. Prayer must be definite in its aim. "I will direct, etc. A soul soliloquy is not prayer. Nor is the enumeration of the Divine attributes hid. True prayer is the earnest expression of the deep necessities and longings of the soul in the simplest language possible. The grain of prayer should not be lost in the chaff of vague generalities. II. THE BEST TIME FOR PRIVATE PRAYER. "In the morning," etc. 1. There is a greater freedom from the distracting cares of the family, business, etc. 2. We should seek Divine strength in anticipation of duties, trials, temptations, etc. 3. A day begun with prayer, generally proves a happy day. 4. The most eminent Christians have devoted the early morning to prayer. Mention some. III. THE BECOMING ATTITUDE FOR A PRAYERFUL SOUL. "I will look up." Describe watchtower. 1. We should not be satisfied without the conviction that our prayers have been heard by God. Many prayers never reach the goal of the throne of grace. 2. Our prayers should not be forgotten, but an answer looked for. It will he so if our eye be single and our aim definite. 3. Such an attitude prepares us for the recognition of the Divine hand in answer to our prayers. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. |
    |