Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

God on his mercy-seat is the object of prayer; and to fix the mind, and
prevent it from wavering, the supplicant should consider him under such
attributes as are best suited to his own state and wants. There are three
general views which may be taken of this divine object: infinite wisdom,
infinite power, infinite goodness. There are few blessings which we want
that do not come from one or other of these three sources: We are either
ignorant, and want instruction; weak, and need power; wretched, and
need mercy. As we feel, so we should pray; and in order to feel aright,
and pray successfully, we should endeavour to find out our state, to
discover our most pressing wants; and to find these, we need much light,
which the Holy Spirit alone can impart. Hence, strange as it may appear,
we must pray before we begin to pray. We must pray for light to discover
our state, that our eye may affect our heart, in order to go successfully to
the great object of prayer. To get our wants summarily supplied we must
pray first to see what we need; and then we shall pray to get our wants
supplied.
Prayer to God is considered among the Mohammedans in a very
important point of view. It is declared by the Mosliman doctors to be "the
corner stone of religion, and the pillar of faith." They hold the following
points to be essentially requisite to the efficacy of prayer: 1. That the
person be free from every species of defilement. 2. That all sumptuous,
gaudy apparel be laid aside. 3. That the attention accompany the act, and
be not suffered to wander to any other object. 4. That the prayer be
performed with the face toward the temple of Mecca.
What can any man think of himself, who, in his addresses to God, can
either sit on his seat or stand in the presence of the Maker and Judge of
all men? Would they sit while addressing any person of ordinary
respectability? If they did so, they would be reckoned very rude indeed.
Would they sit in the presence of the king of their own land? They would
not be permitted so to do. Is God, then, to be treated with less respect than
a fellow-mortal? Paul kneeled in praying, Acts xx, 36; xxi, 5. Stephen
kneeled when he was stoned, Acts vii, 60. And Peter kneeled when he
raised Tabitha, Acts ix, 40.