cise of the prayer of faith. Two
things, however, are essential to this: (1.) _Strong confidence in the
existence and faithfulness of God._ "He that cometh unto God must
believe _that he is_, and that _he is a rewarder of them that diligently
seek him_." (2.) The prayer of faith must be _dictated by the Holy
Spirit_. Faith itself is declared to be "the _gift of God_;" and the
apostle says, "The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not
what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself maketh
intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered." "He maketh
intercession for the saints, according to the will of God." When this
wonderful truth is made known, we are no longer astonished that God
should assure us, by so many precious promises, that he will hear and
answer our prayers. We are called the temples of the Holy Ghost. If the
Holy Ghost dwell in us, to guide and direct us in all our ways, will he
forsake us in so important a matter as prayer? O, then, what a solemn
place is the Christian's closet, or the house of prayer! There the whole
Trinity meet in awful concert. The Holy Spirit there presents to the
everlasting Father, through the eternal Son, the prayers of a mortal
worm! Is it any wonder that _such a prayer_ should be heard? With what
holy reverence and godly fear should we approach this consecrated place!

5. We must ask in a _spirit of humble submission_, yielding our wills to
the will of the Lord, committing the whole case to him, in the true
spirit of our Lord's agonizing prayer in the garden, when he said, "_Not
my will but thine be done_." If I had a house full of gold, and had
promised to give you as much as you desire, would you need to be urged
to ask? But, there is an inexhaustible fulness of spiritual blessings
treasured up in Christ; and he has declared repeatedly that you may have
as much as you will ask. Need you be urged to ask? Need you want any
grace? It is unbelief that keeps us so far from God. From what has been
said on this subject, I think you may safely conclude that your progress
in the divine life will be in proportion to the real prayer of faith
which you exercise.

But I come now to give a few practical directions respecting the
exercise of prayer. Several things are necessary to be observed by every
one who would live near the throne of grace.

1. _Maintain a constant spirit of prayer._ "Pray without ceasing."
"Continuing instant in prayer." "Praying a