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The Pathway of Safety; or, Counsel to the Awakened By the Right Rev. Ashton Oxenden, D.D. CHAPTER III: HELPS BY THE WAY THE LORD’S DAY.—GOD’S HOUSE.—PUBLIC PRAYER.—SERMONS.—THE HOLY COMMUNION. C. PUBLIC PRAYER This is one great object for which we go to the house of the Lord—to unite in prayer with our Christian brethren, and to kneel with them as one family before God. The Lord Himself has given His house a name—‘My house shall be called a house of Prayer.’ (Matt. 21.13) Look upon it in this light—not merely as a place of Hearing, or a place of Preaching, but as a House of Prayer. Many go there merely to sit and listen. And if they remain quiet and attentive while the prayers are offered up, they think there is not much amiss. But you know the value of prayer. Go, then, for this special object—to pray. Join in the prayers, not only outwardly with your voice, but inwardly with your heart. Make it a time of earnest supplication. ‘Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.’ I need hardly urge upon you here the duty of kneeling in the house of God: for I cannot imagine any really earnest Christian using any other posture in the Lord’s presence. As a member of the Church of England, be thankful that we have a regular Form of Public Prayer; be thankful that we can use the very words which God’s people have used for hundreds of years before us, and which thousands both in our own land and in far-off countries are using at the same time with ourselves. There is something very delightful in the thought, that other hearts are finding utterance in the very same expressions which we ourselves are pouring forth to our Father in heaven; and that those who are most dear to us are approaching Him with the same petitions as ourselves. There is a calm, peaceful, and devout earnestness about our Church prayers, which grows upon us the more heartily we use them. You may sometimes meet with those who dislike Forms of prayer, and they will perhaps taunt you by saying that our Church prayers are dead men’s prayers. But no, it will be far otherwise, if we have only earnest hearts to use them. They will be living prayers, if only the life of God is in our souls. Those holy men and martyrs who framed them, it is true, have long since passed away from this world; but could they have left us a more precious legacy for our use than this ‘form of sound words?’ These very men, we believe, are now ‘before the throne of God,’ having exchanged the voice of prayer for that of endless praise. Prize, then your Church prayers; and enter into the spirit of them. We may use a Form of prayer without being formal, if the Spirit of God does but touch our hearts, and open our lips. And if you find an increased enjoyment in this part of the service, I know of scarcely any surer proof that your soul is in a healthy state; for it shows that prayer is a comfort to you, not because you are excited for the moment, but because you feel a steady, fixed, desire to wait upon God, and to make known your requests unto Him. It is easy enough to be warmed up for the time by a fervent extempore prayer, which ‘seems to go through one,’ as the saying is. But, alas! How soon our devotion, when thus worked up, dies down again; and then it leaves the heart cold and languid! But do not mistake me. I would on no account throw a slight on extempore prayer. There are times when the awakened heart will, and must, speak for itself; for no words but its own can express all it feels. But I would guard you against the notion that extempore prayer is more suitable for Public Worship, and more profitable for a Congregation, than a Liturgy like our own. I cannot leave this subject without saying a word or two about wandering thought. Perhaps you are ready to complain that these trouble you. Yes, it may be you have often grieved, when the closing prayer is offered that you have prayed so little. Who has not felt this? Let us carefully watch against it, and entreat God to keep us from thus dishonoring Him. Steadily and earnestly set yourself to correct this habit of inattention; and you will find, that by degrees the temptation will grow weaker, and prayer become more and more delightful to you. You will find, too, that the enjoyment you have in public prayer, the more your soul will grow and prosper. **************************************************** The Pathway of Safety; or, Counsel to the Awakened, Ashton Oxenden **************************************************** PREVIOUS CHAPTER -- NEXT CHAPTER ©God’sGWG |