Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

Prayer not only necessarily supposes the being of a God, (for he that
cometh unto God must believe that he is,) but also the providence of God.
For why should we pray to him to avert evil, if we do not acknowledge
that he exercises a universal providence in the world! Why should we
pray to be preserved in and from dangers, if we be not convinced that he
has sway everywhere, and that all things serve the purposes of his
gracious will? And why should men in every place who pray and make
supplication expect to be heard, unless it be an incontrovertible truth that
God is omnipotent, and that he can and will so interfere with, and
interpose in, the matters that concern them? And should evil be coming
against them in direct course, he can divert it, turn it entirely back, so that
it shall have no operation near them; or, if he permit it to come on,
convert it to their great spiritual advantage, by counter-working the bad
effects which it would otherwise produce, and thus, by his providence (in
answer to their prayers) working together with his grace, cause all those
things which would otherwise be mischievous to work for their present
good and future happiness.
"Hear what the unjust judge saith." Our blessed Lord intimates that we
should reason thus with ourselves: "If a person of such an infamous
character as this judge was, could yield to the pressing and continual
solicitations of a poor widow for whom he felt nothing but contempt, how
much more ready must God be, who is infinitely good and merciful, and
who loves his creatures in the tenderest manner, to give his utmost
salvation to all them who diligently seek it!"
"Which cry day and night unto him," &c. This is a genuine
characteristic of the true elect, or disciples of Christ. They feel they have
neither light, power, nor goodness, but as they receive them from him;
and as he is the desire of their soul, they incessantly seek that they may
be upheld and saved by him.
The reason which our Lord gives for the success of his chosen is, 1.
They cry unto him day and night. 2. He is compassionate toward them. In
consequence of the first, they might expect justice even from an