Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY.
Adam Clarke
XV.—PRAYER.
PRAYER has been defined, "an offering of our desire to God for things
needful, with an humble confidence to obtain them through the alone
merits of Christ, to the praise of the mercy, truth, and power of God."
And "its parts are said to be invocation, adoration, confession, petition,
pleading, dedication, thanksgiving, and blessing." Though the definition
be imperfect, yet, as far as it goes, it is not objectionable; but the parts of
prayer, as they are called, (except the word petition,) have scarcely any
thing to do with the nature of prayer. They are, in general, separate acts
of devotion; and attention to them in what is termed "praying," will
entirely mar it, and destroy its efficacy.
It was by following this division, that long prayers have been
introduced among Christian congregations, by means of which the spirit
of devotion has been lost: for, where such prevail most, listlessness and
deadness are the principal characteristics of the religious services of such
people; and these have often engendered formality, and frequently total
indifference to religion. Long prayers prevent kneeling, for it is utterly
impossible for man or woman to keep on their knees during the time such
last; where these prevail, the people either stand or sit. Technical prayers,
I have no doubt, are odious in the sight of God; for no man can be in the
spirit of devotion who uses such: it is a drawing nigh to God with the lips,
while the heart is, almost necessarily, far from him.
A proper idea of prayer is, "the pouring out the soul before God, with
the hand of faith placed on the head of the sacrificial offering; imploring
mercy, and presenting itself a free-will offering unto God; giving up
body, soul, and spirit, to be guided and governed as may seem good to his
heavenly wisdom, desiring only perfectly to love him, and serve him with
all its powers, at all times, while he has a being."