l times is to maintain an habitual spirit of prayer, according to
the first direction. But this is not all that is necessary. We are
unavoidably much occupied with the things of this world. But when we
come before the great Jehovah, to ask his favor and seek his grace, our
minds should be heavenly. When you go into your closet, shut out the
world, that you may be alone with God. Bring your mind into a calm and
heavenly frame, and endeavor to obtain a deep sense of the presence of
God, "_as seeing him who is invisible_." Think of the exalted nature of
the work in which you are about to engage. Think of your own
unworthiness, and of the way God has opened to the mercy seat. Think of
your own wants, or of the wants of others, according to the object of
your visit to the throne of grace. Think of the inexhaustible fulness
treasured up in Christ. Think of the many precious promises of God to
his children, and come with the spirit of a little child to present them
before him.

5. _Persevere in prayer._ If you are seeking for any particular object,
which you know to be agreeable to the will of God, and your prayers are
not heard, you may be sure of one of two things: (1.) _You have been
asking amiss._ Something is wrong in yourself. Perhaps you have been
selfish in your desires; you have not desired supremely the glory of
God; you have not felt your dependence: you have not humbled yourself
sufficiently to receive a blessing; or perhaps you regard iniquity in
your heart, in some other way. Examine yourself, therefore, in all these
particulars. Repent, where you find your prayers have been amiss. Bow
very low before God, and seek the influences of his Spirit to enable you
to pray aright. (2.) Or, _perhaps the Lord delays an answer for the
trial of your faith_. Consider then the encouragements which he has
given us to be importunate in prayer. In the eleventh chapter of Luke,
our Lord shows us that our friends may be prevailed upon to do us a
kindness because of our importunity, when they would not do it on
account of friendship. And in the eighteenth chapter, he shows us that
even an unjust judge may be persuaded by importunity to do justice.
Hence he argues the importance of persevering in prayer; and adds with
emphasis, "And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and
night unto him, _though he bear long with them_? I tell you he will
avenge them speedily." Again; look at the case of the Syrophenician
woman. She con