Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/283

 Him, as  sacrifice  and  incense,  according  to  the  expression of David,  "Let  my  prayer  be  directed  as  incense  in  Thy sight;  the  lifting  up  of  my  hands  as  an  evening  sacrifice." (Ps. cxl.  2.)  By  prayer  we  become  companions  of  the angels, and  treat  familiarly  with  God  Himself. God conceives Himself  honored  by  our  prayers,  as  He  tells  us by  His  prophet,  "  Call  upon  Me  in  the  day  of  trouble;  I will  deliver  thee,  and  thou  shalt  glorify  Me." (Ps. xlix. 15.)

II. In consequence  of  the  miseries  of  this  mortal  life, and its  continual  dangers,  prayer  is  essentially  necessary for  us. The life  of  our  soul  is  in  constant  peril from the  devil,  who  is  "as  a  roaring  lion,  going  about, seeking  whom  he  may  devour,"  (i.  Peter  v.  8.),  and  from the allurements  of  pleasure,  which  continually  assail  us. Our mortal  life  is  never  exempt  from  dangers,  arising from war,  famine  and  pestilence,  from  sickness,  loss  of goods,  from  the  death  of  our  friends,  and  from  innumerable other  crosses  and  afflictions. Hence, we ought  to  address  our  Lord  in  the  language  of  king Josaphat, "  As  we  know  not  what  to  do,  we  can  only turn  our  eyes  to  Thee." (2 Paralip.  xx.  12.)

III. By His  general  providence,  God  might  have  redressed all  our  evils  and  necessities,  without  our  having recourse to  Him  by  prayer. This is  His  conduct  in  relation to  every  other  creature. But, in  order  to  endear us the  more  to  Him,  He  has  decreed,  that  we  should  beg these favors  from  Him,  and  thus  show  our  dependence on Him,  and  acknowledge  Him  to  be  the  author  of  all good. Hence, He  has  given  us  an  express  command, and enforced  it  by  His  Son  Jesus  Christ,  who  teaches  us, that "we  ought  always  to  pray." (Luke xviii.  1.)  Reflect upon  your  spiritual  and  temporal  necessities,  "  and go  with  confidence  to  the  throne  of  grace,  that  you  may