lways, with all prayer and
supplication in the Spirit." "And he spake a parable unto them, to this
end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." The meaning of
these passages is not that we should be always upon our knees, but that
we should maintain such a prayerful frame, that the moment our minds are
disengaged, our hearts will rise up to God. Intimately connected with
this is the practice of _ejaculatory prayer_, which consists of a short
petition, silently and suddenly sent up from the heart. This may be done
anywhere, and under all circumstances. Frequent examples of this kind of
prayer are recorded in Scripture. It has also been the practice of
living Christians in all ages. It is a great assistance in the Christian
warfare. It helps us in resisting temptation; and by means of it, we can
seek divine aid in the midst of the greatest emergencies. To maintain
this unceasing spirit of prayer is a very difficult work. It requires
unwearied care and watchfulness, labor, and perseverance. Yet no
Christian can thrive without it.

2. _Observe staled and regular seasons of prayer._ Some professors of
religion make so much of the foregoing rule as to neglect all other
kinds of prayer. This is evidently unscriptural. Our Saviour directs us
to enter into our closets, and, when we have shut the door, to pray to
our Father who is in secret. And to this precept he has added the
sanction of his own example. In the course of his history, we find him
often retiring to solitary places, to pour out his soul in prayer. Other
examples are also recorded in Scripture. David says, "Evening and
morning, and at noon, will I pray." And again; "Seven times a day do I
praise thee." And it was the habitual practice of Daniel, to kneel down
in his chamber, and pray three times a day. But this practice is so
natural, and so agreeable to Christian feeling, that no argument seems
necessary to persuade real Christians to observe it. It has been the
delight of eminent saints, in all ages, to retire alone, and hold
communion with God.

With regard to the particular times of prayer, no very definite rule can
be given, which will suit all circumstances. There is a peculiar
propriety in visiting the throne of grace in the morning, to offer up
the thanksgiving of our hearts for our preservation, and to seek grace
for the day: and also in the evening, to express our gratitude for the
mercies we have enjoyed; to confess the sins we have committed