Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

Can he who sees himself a slave of the devil, beg with too much
earnestness to be delivered from his thraldom?
"This is the confidence,"—the liberty of access and speech, "that if we
ask any thing according to his will;" that is, which he has promised in his
word. His word is a revelation of his will, in the things which concern the
salvation of man. All that God has promised we are justified in expecting;
and what he has promised, and we expect, we should pray for. Prayer is
the language of the children of God. He who is begotten of God speaks
this language. He calls God, "Abba, Father!" in the true spirit of
supplication. Prayer is the language of dependence on God; where the
soul is dumb, there is neither life, love, nor faith. Faith and prayer are not
boldly to advance claims upon God; we must take heed that what we ask
and believe for, is agreeable to the revealed will of God. What we find
promised, that we may plead.
Come with confidence to the throne of grace. Know that it is such; and
that He who sits on it is gracious. When you approach, you have an
Intercessor there: he will introduce you: he will recommend your suit,
plead in your behalf, give you full liberty to use his name, to appropriate
to yourselves the infinite merit of his passion and death, his resurrection
and mediation; and to avail yourselves of that indescribable nearness he
has to the Father, as his beloved Son, in whom he is well pleased; and his
affinity to you, as "God manifested in the flesh." It is impossible that any
thing can be added, to strengthen this confidence; or by a more powerful
argument to ensure a success which, from the above considerations, must
be certain and absolute.
"In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee." Here seems to be
a metaphor taken from an archer. He sees his mark; puts his arrow in his
bow; directs his shaft to the mark, that is, takes his aim; lets fly; and then
looks up, to see if he has hit his mark. Prayers that have a right aim will
have a prompt answer: and he who sends up his petitions to God through
Christ, from a warm, affectionate heart, may confidently look up for an
answer: for it will come. If an immediate answer be not given, let not the