o the spirit of
prayerfulness that should animate us all the day? It includes both. The
example of our Lord Jesus shows us this. We have to enter our closet for
special seasons of prayer; we are at times to persevere there in
importunate prayer. We are also all the day to walk in God's presence,
with the whole heart set upon heavenly things. Without set times of
prayer the spirit of prayer will be dull and feeble. Without the
continual prayerfulness the set times will not avail.

=Pray without Ceasing.=--Does that refer to prayer for ourselves or
others? To both. It is because many confine it to themselves that they
fail so in practising it. It is only when the branch gives itself to
bear fruit, more fruit, much fruit, that it can live a healthy life, and
expect a rich inflow of sap. The death of Christ brought Him to the
place of everlasting intercession. Your death with Him to sin and self
sets you free from the care of self, and elevates you to the dignity of
intercessor--one who can get life and blessing from God for others. Know
your calling; begin this your work. Give yourself wholly to it, and ere
you know you will be finding something of this "_Praying always_" within
you.

=Pray without Ceasing.=--How can I learn it? The best way of learning to
do a thing--in fact the only way--is _to do it_. Begin by setting apart
some time every day, say ten or fifteen minutes, in which you say to
God and to yourself, that you come to Him now as intercessor for others.
Let it be after your morning or evening prayer, or any other time. If
you cannot secure the same time every day, be not troubled. Only see
that you do your work. Christ chose you and appointed you to pray for
others.

If at first you do not feel any special urgency or faith or power in
your prayers, let not that hinder you. Quietly tell your Lord Jesus of
your feebleness; believe that the Holy Spirit is in you to teach you to
pray, and be assured that if you begin, God will help you. God cannot
help you unless you begin and keep on.

=Pray without Ceasing.=--How do I know what to pray for? If once you
begin, and think of all the needs around you, you will soon find enough.
But to help you this little tract is issued, with subjects and hints for
prayer for a month. It is meant that we should use it month by month,
until we know more fully to follow the Spirit's leading, and have
learnt, if need be, to make our own list of subjects, and can dispense
with it.