Acts 10:4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said to him… I. PRAYER. 1. Its nature — the ascent of the mind to God. When the soul lays aside the thoughts of all things else and converses only with God, then it prays. (1) When we speak to so glorious a Majesty we ought to begin by confessing our unworthiness (Ezra 9:6-9; Psalm 51:1-5; Daniel 9:3-5). (2) And as we are to confess our sins so we are to beg for mercy. (3) And as we must desire of God what we want, so must we praise Him for what we have (Psalm 107:8). 2. The reasons why it is acceptable to God. (1) In praying we come as near as we can to the principal end of our creation, which was to enjoy communion with God. (2). Hereby we acknowledge His supremacy over and propriety in the world, by paying daily homage and tribute of thanks. (3) Especially we give Him the glory due to His Name which is the ultimate end of His, and ought to be of all our actions (Psalm 50:23; Psalm 24:1). 3. How to perform it acceptably. (1) You must know that it is a duty of that weight and moment that it is not to be undertaken without due preparation beforehand. (a) Lay aside all earthly thoughts. (b) Bethink yourselves of the mercies for which you should pray and those for which you should give thanks. (c) Get your hearts possessed with a sense of God's transcendent excellency. (2) Having thus prepared yourselves set upon the work itself: and while praying — (a) Remember what you are doing and carry yourselves with that reverence which becomes sinful creatures (Hebrews 12:28, 29). (b) Be sure to observe the wise man's counsel (Ecclesiastes 5:2; Isaiah 66:1; Genesis 18:27-32). (c) Have a great care to keep your thoughts and affections together (1 Corinthians 14:15). (d) Pray in faith, desiring nothing but in the name of Christ (John 16:23). (3) After prayer — that it may be accepted and answered — (a) Recollect yourselves and consider the sins you have confessed that you may avoid them, and what mercies you have begged that you may expect them (Mark 11:24; James 1:5, 6). (b) Trust in Christ for the acceptance and answer of your prayers (Mark 11:24). 4. Its advantages. (1) Such solemn addresses to the Most High will refine and enlarge your conceptions of Him, and so you will be more and more acquainted with Him, and in and through Christ ingratiate yourselves with Him (Job 22:21). (2) This will also be an excellent means to keep our hearts in a continual awe of Him. (3) This is the most powerful way to prevent all evil and secure all good. If we lack wisdom, by prayer we may get it (James 1:5). If we be sick, by prayer we may be recovered (James 5:15). If our sins be many and great, by prayer they may be pardoned (Psalm 32:5, 6). If our graces be weak, by prayer they may be strengthened (2 Corinthians 12:8, 9). II. ALMSGIVING. 1. The nature of this duty — the supplying of others' necessities to the utmost of our power whatever they may be — feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, relieving the afflicted, being kind and liberal to all. 2. Its reasonableness. (1) God, as He is the Maker, so is He the Owner of all things, and therefore we can have nothing but what we receive from Him. He is the Landlord, you His tenant, and He requires you to pay Him rent to be employed in His immediate service, or else for the relief of His poorer servants (Matthew 26:11). (2) He has imposed this duty to make you always mindful of your obligations to Him. A confluence of earthly enjoyments is apt to make us forget Him (Hosea 13:6; Deuteronomy 32:15-18). Hence Agur feared riches (Proverbs 30:8, 9). (3) God requires this duty because this is the means whereby He has provided for persons who are destitute of other maintenance (Malachi 3:8; Proverbs 3:27). Seeing, therefore, God has strictly required this duty, and there being such reasons for it, it cannot but be acceptable to Him, and its neglect displeasing. What we do to the poor He regards as done to Himself (Matthew 25:40-45; Proverbs 14:31). 3. The manner in which it is to be performed. (1) Purely out of obedience to God, for His sake who first gave. (2) Universally — to everyone in need, i.e., not to our own friends only, nor only when we are in a good humour, or applied to, or likely to get credit. (3) Not reluctantly (Deuteronomy 15:10; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Romans 12:8; Acts 20:35). (4) Proportionably to what God has given us (1 Corinthians 16:2). (5) Sincerely, and not to gain applause. III. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TWO. Both went up to heaven together. There can be no true piety towards God that is not accompanied with charity towards our neighbour. This applies to all acts of piety. No man can fear, honour, obey, or trust in God who is not kind to his brother. As for its principal act — prayer — the teaching of Scripture is plain that it will not be accepted if severed from alms. Hence Christ joins the two (Matthew 6:1-6), and Paul (1 Corinthians 16:1, 2), and Moses (Exodus 23:15; Deuteronomy 16:16, 17). (Bp. Beveridge.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. |
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