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I. THE BLESSINGS FOR WHICH WE SHOULD INQUIRE.

1. We should pray for ourselves. We are sinful, indigent, and dependent creatures. God only can supply our wants and satisfy our desires.

2. We should pray for the Church of God. Good men feel interested in each other's welfare, and desire the peace and prosperity of Zion (Psalm 122:6-9). They pray for the extension and stability of her borders — the increase of her converts — and the unity and progression of her members (Habakkuk 3:2; Ephesians 3:14-21; Philippians 1:9-11).

3. We should pray for the world (Psalm 43:3; Isaiah 62:1; Matthew 6:10; Revelation 11:15).

II. THE MANNER HOW WE SHOULD INQUIRE FOR THEM.

1. In the method which He appoints. We cannot approach unto Him acceptably, but through Jesus Christ, who is the high priest over the House of God forever (John 14:6; Hebrews 7:17).

2. With devout dispositions of mind.

(1)  Sincerely, without hypocrisy (Matthew 15:8);

(2)  Humbly, with reverence and godly fear (Psalm 89:7);

(3)  Fervently, with holy ardour (Genesis 32:26);

(4)  Affectionately, with hearts filled with love to God, and goodwill to all mankind (Matthew 6:14, 15);

(5)  Believingly, in the lively exercise of faith (Matthew 21:22; 1 John 5:14, 15).

3. In every situation of human life. In private retirement (Matthew 6:6); — in our families (Joshua 24:15) — in the public ordinances of the Gospel (Psalm 27:4) — and in our daily occupations, we should "pray always, with all prayer, and everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting" (Ephesians 6:18; 1 Timothy 2:8).

4. With diligent perseverance unto death.

III. THE REASONS WHY WE SHOULD INQUIRE OF THE LORD.

1. Prayer is an ordinance of Divine authority. The Lord commands us to pray (Psalm 4:4, 5; Jeremiah 29:12; Luke 18:1) — He promises to hear and answer prayer (Psalm 91:15, 16); and He directs how to pray (Matthew 6:9-13).

2. Prayer evinces the dependence of the creature on the Creator.

3. Prayer demonstrates the connection between duty and interest. As intellectual beings, we are capable of moral actions and spiritual enjoyments. The Lord is therefore pleased to suspend the blessings He promises, on the performance of the duties He enjoins: and it is only by complying with the latter, that we can realise the former (Psalm 34:17; Jeremiah 33:3).

(Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.)

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KJV: Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.

WEB: Thus says the Lord Yahweh: For this, moreover, will I be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them: I will increase them with men like a flock.