Prayer and Praying
James Dodson
Martin Luther leading in family prayer.
THE NECESSITY AND BLESSING OF PRAYER
“Prayer without fervency and violence is no prayer; it is speaking, not praying. Lifeless prayer is no more prayer than the picture of a man is a man. To say a prayer is not to pray; Aschanius taught his parrot the Lord’s Prayer.
Ambrose said it well, ‘It is the life and affection in a duty that baptizeth it, and gives it a name.’ It is the violence and wrestling of the affections that make it a prayer, else it is no prayer. But a man may say as Pharaoh, ‘I have dreamed a dream’ (Gen. 41.15).
The zeal and violence of the affections in prayer best suits God’s nature. He is a Spirit (John 4.24), and surely that prayer which is full of life and spirit is the savory meat He loves, “spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God” (1 Pet. 2.5). Spirituality and fervency in duty is like the spirits of wine, which are the more refined part of the wine. Bodily exercise profits little. It is not the stretching of the lungs, but the vehemency of the desire, that makes music in God’s ears.”—Thomas Watson, Heaven Taken by Storm. (1670).
WORKS ON PRAYER AND PRAYING:
Prayer, a reasonable Duty.-1821-Samuel B. Wylie.-A very helpful article about why Christians ought to pray. Written from a strict Calvinistic, or predestinarian, point of view, Wylie offers numerous observations on the value of prayer, even though it cannot change the decree of God. Nonetheless, it remains an appointed means for procuring favor form heaven. This is a short, but valuable production.
Exposition of James v. 14.-1822-Anonymous.-This brief article, from the Evangelical Witness, discusses a few exegetical points respecting the prayer of faith and its relation to those who are sick. It places a sharp distinction between the prayer of faith and Romish extreme unction and, so, is an interesting comment by an early 19th Reformed Presbyterian.
Prayer for Ministers:-1837-Peter MacIndoe.-This ordination sermon sets forth the great responsibilities before the minister of the Gospel together with the duties of the congregation toward the minister. MacIndoe enforces the gravity of the ministry and its necessity in the society of men. The need and duty of praying for ministers is pressed with vigor.
Private Social Prayer:-1840-Andrew Symington.-In this discourse, Symington addresses the duty and privilege of prayer particularly as a private social exercise ("where two or three are gathered"). He gives both reasons and petitions for the matter of such private prayer gatherings. This covers much of devotional concern, including method of prayer.