souls, has been due to our Saviour's
strong cryings on our behalf. It may be that at this hour He is
engaged in asking the Father that He would dower the universal Church
with another Pentecost; and if so, let us join Him in the prayer.

II. THE PRAYING CHURCH.--"Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name."

(1) Prayer must be addressed to the Father. As soon as we utter that
sacred name, the Divine nature responds; and, to put it vividly, is on
the alert to hear what we desire. A little child cannot utter a sigh
however slight, a sob however smothered, without awakening the quick
attention of its mother; and at the first whisper of our Father's name,
He is at hand to hear and bless. Alas! we have too often grieved His
Holy Spirit by a string of selfish petitions, or a number of formal
platitudes! To the wonderment of angels, we thus fritter away the most
precious and sacred opportunities. Be still, then, before you pray, to
consider what to ask; order your prayers for presentation: and be sure
to begin the blessed interview with words of sincere and loving
appreciation and devotion.

(2) The conditions of successful prayer are clearly defined in these
words. There must be _love_ to Christ and to all men; _obedience_ to
His will, so far as it is revealed; _recognition_ of His mediation and
intercession, as alone giving us the right to draw nigh;
_identification_ with Him, so as to be able to use His name;
_passionate desires for the Father's glory_. Where these five
conditions exist, there can be no doubt as to our receiving the
petitions which we offer. Prayer that complies with them cannot fail,
since it is only the return tide of an impulse which has emanated from
the heart of God.

(3) Note how the Saviour lives for the promotion of His Father's glory.
How often, during His earthly ministry, He declared that He was
desiring and seeking this beyond all else! Though His prayer could
only be granted by His falling into the ground to die, He never
flinched from saying, "Father, glorify Thy Name." But here He tells us
that through the ages as they pass He will still be set on the same
quest. By all means He must glorify His Father; and if, in any prayer
of ours, we can show that what we ask will augment the Father's glory,
we are certain to obtain His concurrence and glad acquiescence.
"That," He says, "will I do."

(4) We must pray "in His Name." As the ambassador speaks in the name
of queen and country; a