ን? 9113_14 WATTS' GUIDE TO PRAYER ia BOSTON: Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1831, by LINCOLN & EDMANDS, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. 1 BOSTON. & P. F. GRIFFIN. PREFACE. The establishing of a monthly prayer meeting throughout christendom constitutes a new era in the Christian church; and the multiplied associations for prayer, in relation to Sabbath schools, colleges, the observance of the Sabbath, and other interesting ob, jects, evince that Christians are now more deeply sensible of the importance and the effiléacs of prayer, than they have been at former periods.. But, however deep a consciousness any one may håve possessed, of the obligation of prayer, and of its happy results, probably no one has ever yet been impressed with the subject in a degree corresponding with its magnitude. The language of the Bible, in relation to the efficacy of prayer, is very explicit. “Ask, and ye shall receive. Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened. Where two or three of you are agreed on earth, touching any thing that ye shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." Specific means are established in the kingdom of nature, for the production of the fruits of the earth. The showers of rain, and the rays of the sun, are indispensable to their growth and perfection. Prayer may be a means, indispensable in the kingdom of grace, for the conversion of sinners, and the ultimate triumph of the Redeemer's kingdom. The Lord himself affirms, “For this will I be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them.” As the millennial day approaches, the prayers of the church will undoubtedly be more frequent, more united, more fervent, and more manifestly successful, till the Spirit shall be granted in such copious effusions, that the knowledge of the Lord shall fill the earth, and all men shall know him, from the least to the greatest.: • . The increased associations for social and public :prayer, demand of Christians a more particular effort to render them interesting and edifying. All who take a part in these exercises are required to seek the gift and grace of prayer; to avoid, in manner and expression, what might naturally be repulsive, and to aspire after an elevated piety, and thus rende these seasons of a deeply interesting and impressive character. Dr. Watts' Guide to Prayer has proved peculiarly beneficial, and is justly held in the highest estimation by the most judicious ministers and Christians. On presenting a new edition of the work, it has been con |
