II. The proper course to be pursued.—1. Prayer. 2. Supplication. 3. Thanksgiving.
III. The happiness to be enjoyed.—“The peace of God, which passeth understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.”—Dr. Robt. Newton.
Ver. 6. Subjects of Prayer.
I. For temporal blessings.—1. Our health. Value of health. Dependence on God. 2. Our studies. Not to supersede diligence. Communicates a right impulse. Secures a right direction. 3. Our undertakings. Agricultural, commercial.
II. For spiritual blessings.—1. For pardon. Of our daily sins in thought, word, and deed. Of all our sins. 2. For holiness in heart and life. Regeneration, faith, love, hope, meekness, zeal, resignation, obedience. 3. For usefulness and happiness.
III. For the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.—1. On ourselves. 2. On our relatives and friends. 3. On the Church. 4.On the world.
IV. For the spread of the Gospel.—1. For the multiplication of the necessary means. 2. For the removal of obstacles. 3. For the success of labourers. 4. For the conversion of sinners.—G. Brooks.
True Prayer.
I. True prayer is specific as well as earnest.—Nothing is too little to be made the subject of prayer. The very act of confidence is pleasing to God and tranquillising to the supplicant. God is not only willing to hear the details, but He desires that we should tell Him.
II. True prayer consists of confession, supplication, and thanksgiving.—We are to confess our sins, ask forgiveness, and do it with gratitude and thankfulness. God will not answer the requests of unthankful beggars. Without thanksgiving what we call prayer is presumption.—Homiletic Monthly.