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dangerous error; namely, that prayer is never necessary but in affliction. Some men seem to understand it so; for they never pray but when they are afflicted. This important duty must be performed at other times; but it is peculiarly necessary when the spirit is weighed down in affliction. Our afflictions are often of such a nature that none can remove them but God. They baffle human skill, and set at defiance the feeble powers of man. Let us then apply to God, whose wisdom, power, and goodness, extend to all the sons of men; and who can deliver out of the deepest afflictions to which human nature is subject.

Prayer in affliction implies a deep sense of our impotence; an acknowledgment of God's power; and an humble dependance upon him for help. It abases the creature; but exalts the Creator. These considerations discover the fitness of this duty on the one hand, and on the other the probability of success, if we pray in a right spirit. We shall now point out some things for which we should pray when we feel the heavy hand of affliction.

1. We should pray for pardon. Perhaps some crime may be the cause of our suffering, which must be pardoned before we can obtain deliverance. Some sins are unto death; and God forbids our prayer.

But God has said, "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death." When David was afflicted, in the matter of Uriah, he put up the following prayer: “Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities." The apostle James gives direction on this subject in the following words: "Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."

2. We should pray for counsel. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." We never need the counsel of God so much as in affliction. While clouds of thick darkness roll round us, we know not which way to go; but when we acknowledge God in the duty of prayer, he directs our steps. It is a source of pleasing consolation to be able to say with the psalmist, "Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory." No coun

sel is so safe as that of the Lord; and it is fully sufficient in all ages. "The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations."

3. We should pray for support. We are weak and feeble; but God is strong. He has promised to help; let us plead his promise. "I, the Lord thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, fear not; I will help thee," By waiting upon God, in the duty of prayer, we renew our strength, and mount up as on the wings of eagles. Thus strengthened, we have nothing to fear; for as our day is so is our strength. The apostle Paul had a thorn in the flesh, and he besought the Lord that it might be removed; but the Lord said, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

4. We should pray for a sanctified use of affliction. When affliction is sanctified, it promotes our good, the good of others, and the glory of God. God neither afflicts in vain, nor willingly grieves the children of men. Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept thy word." After an affliction is over, it is pleasing to reflect, that like silver in the furnace, we have lost nothing but dross. In this way, and for this very end, God often afflicts his children. "Thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us as silver is tried.

Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins." Prayer for a sanctified use of affliction being accompanied with those dispositions which incline us to improve it to the best of purposes, we may assure ourselves, that the overruling providence of God will make it a blessing. "Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord."

5. We should pray for deliverance. When the Israelites in the wilderness wandered in a solitary way, and found no city to dwell in: when their soul fainted with hunger and thirst, "Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses." But when

we pray for deliverance, we must pray with resignation. The time must be left to God, who knows best how long it may be necessary to continue an affliction. Our prayers should be suited to the different subjects of prayer. When the case is clear, we may ask in full confidence; but when it is doubtful, we should say, "If it be thy will." Prayer for deliverance from afflic tion should always be expressed in humble, modest, and submissive language.

A few general remarks shall conclude this subject,

1. A man in affliction should request others to join with him in prayer. United petitions are powerful. "If two of you shall agree on earth, as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." The prayers of saints ascend before the throne of God like holy incense, and speedy answers are sent down. Hasten, then, to call in the pious; and set great value upon their prayers. Even Simon, the sorcerer, when threatened with the judgments of God, said to the apostles, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me."

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2. Prayer in affliction does not set aside the use of other means. Every means that prudence may dictate, should be used on these occasions; but all should be mixed with prayer, that God may give his blessing, without which all our endeavours will prove useless.

3. We are encouraged to pray in affliction by the example of wise and good men in days of old. They applied to the best of friends. Their first thoughts, in every calamity, were turned to God. The ignorant mariners, when threatened with a watery grave, prayed to their gods; and they exhorted Jonah to call upon his God, that they might not perish.

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