The Second of December.

PRAYER SHALL BE MADE --- Psalm 72:15.

"Prayer shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised." --- Psalm 72:15.

Oh what a condescending King we have, who may always be approached! Who would not pray? You say, Oh that my coldness and indifference would permit me to do it! But are you sensible of your wants and miseries? Is not this coldness and backwardness misery enough? Therefore you ought always to pray, and to pray most when you are dull and drowsy, else it will never be better with you. Arise, therefore, and pray; the good Spirit of God will assist you.

"Encouraged by the promises of a prayer-hearing God, and a special assistance of the Holy Spirit in this work, we must, even in the greatest conflicts, not omit to resist the temptations of the devil; and, though we have sinned, not defer it long; but pray directly, and say, The Lord is merciful, and I am unworthy and unable to pray, but, alas! what shall I do? Shall I wait till I am worthy and able? Oh no; perhaps that time will never come; for I am always a great, miserable sinner. A Christian always stands in the need of prayer; for since the sense of sin does not leave him, he must not leave off prayer." Lord, grant me more of the spirit of prayer, and let it never be extinguished in my heart.

Arise, my soul, from deep distress,
And banish every fear;
God calls thee to his throne of grace,
To spread thy sorrows there.

Devotion for December 2