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CLXXVIII. Of the gestures of body used in prayer. The hands lifted up, spread abroad, spread forth, so prayed Moses. Exod. ix. 29. David. Ps. Ixiii. 4. Solomon. I Kings viii. 22. The church. Isa. i. 15. Standing, so prayed Phinehas. Judg. xx. 28. Solomon. 1 Kings viii. 22. The humble publican. Luke 11, 13.

Kneeling, so prayed Solomon. 2 Chron. vi. 13. Jesus Christ. Luke xxii. 41. Saint Paul. Acts xx. 36.-xxi. 5. Daniel. Dan. vi. 10. Stephen. Acts vii. 60. Peter. Acts ix. 40. See Ps. xcv. 6.

Falling on the face, so prayed Moses. Deut. ix. 18, 25. David and the elders. 1 Chron. xxi. 16. Job. Job i. 20. Ezekiel. Ezek. ix. 8. Jesus Christ. Matt. xxvi. 39.

Sitting, so prayed David. 2 Sam. vii. 18. Nehemiah. Neh. i. 4. Head uncovered. 1 Cor. xi. 4.

CLXXIX. The things to be hrayed for being as numerous and various as the gifts of God for the supply of the wants of man spiritual and temporal, they cannot be fully exhibited under this head. However a few of the principal of them may be set forth in the following order.

CLXXX. The Lord's prayer as to words, matter, and method, affords a good, though brief model of things to be prayed for.

Matt. vi. 9. After this manner pray ye, our Father which art in heaven, &c.

CLXXXI. Spiritual blessings, wisdom and grace to be asked. Ps. ix. 12. So teach us to number our days, that we inay apply our hearts to wisdom. Jam. i. 5. If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God, and it shall be given him.

2 Chron. i. 10, 11, 12. See Solomon's prayer for wisdom accepted. Matt. vi. 33. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteous

ness.

Luke xi. 13. If ye know how to give good gifts unto your chil dren, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spi rit to them that ask him? Matt. vii. 11.

1 Cor. xii. 31. Covet earnestly the best gifts.

xiv. i. Desire spiritual gifts.

Col. iii. 1. Seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Ver. 2. Set your affections on things above, not on things on earth.

Heb. iv. 16. Let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

CLXXXII. For such earthly things as are agreeable to God's will,

and with submission to it.

Example. Luke xxii. 42. Jesus prayed, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me, nevertheless not my will but thine be done. Matt. xxvi. 39. Not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Í John v. 14. If we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us. Ver. 15. See 2 Sam. vii. 27.

James iv. 3. Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

CLXXXIlI. For daily bread. Matt vi. 11. Give us this day our daily bread.

1 Tim. iv. 5. Every creature of God is good; it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. Sec 1 Kings viii. 37, 38. 2 Chron. vii. 13,

CLXXXIV. For health and deliverance from sickness. 2 Kings xx. 2. Hezekiah prayed to the Lord in his sickness.

Ver. 5. Thus saith the Lord, [to him] I have heard thy prayers, I have seen thy tears, I will heal thee. Isa. xxxviii. 1.

Ver. 7. Isaiah said, take a lump of figs, and they took, and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.

Job xxxiv. 28. God heareth the cry of the afflicted. Isa. xxvi. 16. Acts xxviii. 8. Publius lay sick of a fever, to whom Paul entered in and prayed, and laid his hands on him and healed him.

James v. 13. Is any among you afflicted? let him pray.

Ver. 14. Is any sick? let him send for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him.

Ver. 15. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick.

2 Chron. xvi. 12. Asa in his disease sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians.

CLXXXV. The prayer of the poor heard. Ps. xxxiv. 6. This poor man cried, the Lord heard and delivered him out of all his distresses. lxxii. 12. God shall deliver the needy when he crieth, the poor also, and him that hath no helper. Job xxxiv. 28.

cii. 7. The Lord will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.

See prayers for deliverance from enemies, for deliverance from trouble.

CLXXXVI. Intercessary prayer, or prayer for others.

CLXXXVII. For whom we ought to pray, 1 Tim. ii. 1. I exhort that supplications, prayers and intercessions, and giving thanks be made for all men.

CLXXXVIII. For the church of God. Ps. cxxii. 6. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper that love thee.

Isa. Ixii. 6. Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence. Ver. 7. Give him no rest till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

Matt. ix. 38. Pray ye the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Eph. vi. 18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication for all saints.

James v. 16. Pray one for another.

1 John v. 16. Pray for a brother that sinneth.

CLXXXIX. Instances of such prayers. Ps. li. 18. Do good in thy good pleasure to Zion, build thou the walls of thy Jerusalem.

xxx. 14. Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts, look down from heaven, and behold and visit this thy vine.

cxviii. 25. O Lord, I beseech thee send prosperity.

cxxii. 7. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy pa

laces.

Ps. cxxxii. 9. Let thy priests be cloathed with righteousness, and let thy saints shout for joy.

Ver. 16. I will also cloath her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

Amos vii. 2. O Lord God, forgive, I beseech thee, by whom shall Jacob arise, for he is small?

Hab. iii. 2. O Lord revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. Matt. vi. 10. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, &c. See in Commandment 5th, the duties of ministers and people, &c. to pray one for another.

CXC. For enemies. Jer. xxix. 7. Seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it. Ezra vi. 10.

Matt. v. 44. Pray for them that despitefully use you and perse

cute you.

CXCI. Instances of such prayers. Luke xxiii. 34. Jesus upon the cross prayed for his persecutors, saying, Father forgive them for they know not what they do.

Acts vii. 60. Stephen prayed. for them that put him to death, saying, Lord lay not this sin to their charge.

2 Tim. iv. 16. Paul being forsaken by Christians in his distress said, I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

See more instances of such prayers; Abraham for Abimelech. Gen. xx. 7, 14, 17. Moses for Pharaoh. Exod. viii. 8.-ix. 28.-x. 18. Job for those who wronged him. Job xlii. 8, 9. David for his enemies. Ps. xxxv. 12, 13, 14.-cxli. 5.

CXCII. Motives to prayer. It is a commanded duty. Ezek. xxvi. 36. Thus saith the Lord, I will be enquired of by the house of Israel. Matt. vii. 7. Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, &c. John xvi 24.

Phil. iv. 6. Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

James ir. 8. Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you. CXCII. God promiseth that he will hear prayer. Deut. iv. 7. What nation hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?

Ps. Ixv. 2. O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh

come.

lxxxvi. 5. Thou art good and ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon thee. Rom. x. 12.

Isa. xxx. 19. He will be gracious, at the voice of thy cry he will answer thee.

Ixv. 24. Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear, saith the Lord.

Jer. xxix. 12. Ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

xxxiii. 3. Thus saith the Lord, call upon me, and I will answer thee.

Joel ii. 32. Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered. Rom. x. 13.

him.

Zech. xiii. 9. They shall call on my name, and I will hear them. Matt. vii. 8. Every one that asketh receiveth. Ver. 11. Rom. x. 12. The Lord is rich in mercy to all that call upon See Rev. v. 8.-viii. 3, 4.-Exod. xxii. 23, 27. 2 Chron. vii. 14. &c. See the qualifications of those whose prayers shall be heard, for to them the above promises do belong.

CXCIV. Declarations of God that he hath heard prayer. 1 Kings ix. 3. The Lord said to Solomon, I have heard thy prayer. See Kings xx. 5. 2 Chron. vii. 12. Isa. xxxviii. 5.

2 Kings xix. 20. Thus saith the Lord to Hezekiah, that which thou hast prayed against the king of Assyria, I have heard. Ch. xxii. 19. 2 Chr. xxxiv. 27.

Isa. xlix. 8. In an acceptable time I have heard thee. 2 Chron. vi. 2. CXCV. The testimony of God's people that their prayers were heard. Deut. ix. 19. Moses said, the Lord hearkened to me. Ch. x. 10.

xxvi. 7. We cried unto the Lord God of our Fathers, the Lord heard our voice, and looked on our affliction and our labour, and our oppression. Numb. xx. 16.

2 Sam. xxii. 7. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God, he heard my voice out of his holy temple, and my cry did enter into his ears. Ps. iii. 4.-xviii. 6.

Ps. vi. 9. The Lord hath heard my supplication, the Lord will receive my prayer. Ver. 8. Ps. xxviii. 6.—xxxi. 22.

xxii. 21. Thou hast heard me. Ver. 24. Ps. xl. 1.-cxviii. 21.cxx. 1.

xxxiv. 4. I sought the Lord, he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Ps. Ixi. 5.—lxvi. 19.—lxxvii. 1.-cxvi. 1 to 4.-cxix. 26. Lam. iii. 56.

Jonah ii. 2. Out of the belly of hell I cried, and thou heardst my voice.

John xi. 41. Jesus said, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. CXCVI. Their confident expectations that their prayers shall be heard. Ps. iv. 3. The Lord will hear when I call on him.

x. 17. Lord, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear.

Ps. xvii. 6. Thou wilt hear me, O God. Ps. xxxviii. 15.

Iv. 17. I will pray and cry aloud, and he shall hear my voice. CXCVII. Their entreaties that they may be heard. 2 Kings xix. 16. O Lord bow down thine ear and hear, &c.

2 Chron. vi. 40. O God, I beseech thee, let thine eye be open and let thine ears be attent to the prayer that is made in this place. 1 Kings viii. 30, 50. Neh. i. 6, 11. Ps. cxxx. 2.

Ps. xv. 1. Give ear unto my words, O Lord. Ps. liv. 2.

xvii. 1, 6. O God incline thine ear unto me. Ps. Iv. 1.lxxi. 2.— ixxxvi. 6. lxxxviii. 2. Isa. xxxvii. 17. Dan. ix. 18.

xxxix. 12. Hear my prayer, give ear to my cry. Ps. lxxxiv. 4.cxli. 1.-cxliii. i.

Ps. iv. 1. Hear my prayer. Ps. xiii. 3.—xx. 12.—xxvii. 7.-xxx. 10.—xxxvi. 16 —iv. 2.—lv. 2.—lx. 5.—Ixi. 1.-lxix. 13.—lxxxiv. 8.- cii. 1, 20-cxli. 2.- cxliii. 1. Neh. iv. 4. Dan. ix. 19.

CXCVIII Tir grief at not being answered. Job xix. 7. I cry but am not heard. Ch. xxx. 20.

Ps. xxii. 2. I cry but thou hearest not.

Hab i. 2. How long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear? CXCIX. Of the efficacy of prayer. Miracles wrought by it. Bitter waters made sweet, Exod. xv. 25. Waters brought out of a rock. Exod. xvii. 26. The sun and moon made to stand still.

Jos. x. 12, 13. The shadow made to return backward on a sun

Prayer.

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dial. 2 Kings xx. 11. The dead raised to life. I Kings xvii. 21, 22. 2 Kings iv. 32, 35. Acts ix. 37, 40. Jonah delivered from the fish. Jonah ii. 1, 10. Rain withheld and given. Jam. v. 17, 18. 1 Kings xvii. 1, 18, 42, 45. Devils cast out by prayer and fasting.

CC. Armies of enemies defeated, and God's praying people delivered upon their prayer. Exod. ii. 23. The children of Israel (in Egypt) sighed by reason of their bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up to God. Ch. iii. 7, 9. Numb. xx. 15, 16.

xiv. 9. The Egyptians pursued after Israel and overtook them. Ver. 10. And they were sore afraid, and cried unto the Lord. Ver. 30. And the Lord saved Israel out of the hands of the Egyptians. Jos. xxiv 7. Ps. cvi. 44.-cvii. throughout.

Judg. iv. 13, 14, 15. Israel delivered from Jabin, and Sisera his captain.

Judg. x. 6 to 16. Ch. xi. 33. 1 Sam. vii. 8, 10, 11. Israel delivered from the Philistines.

2 Kings xiii. 4, 5. Delivered from the Syrians. Ch. v. 6, 18.
2 Chron. xiii. 14, 15. Delivered from Jeroboam.

2 Chron. xiv. 2 to 12. Delivered from the Ethiopians.

2 Chron. xxxii. 20, 22. Delivered from the Assyrian army. 2 Kings xviii. 3. See prayer with humility, confession and turning from sin. See also prayers of kings and prophets, Commandment 5th, which afford instances of prayer prevailing for deliverance from enemies. CCI. Prayers against evil from enemies. Deut. xxxiii. 7. Be thou an help to Judah against his enemies.

Ps. iii. 1. Lord, how are they increased that trouble me.
Ver. 4. I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.

v. 8. Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness, because of minc enemies.

vi. 7. Mine eye is consumed because of grief, it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.

Ver. 10. Let them be ashamed.

vii. 6. Lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies. xvii. 9. Keep me from my deadly enemies.

xviii. 3. I will call upon the Lord, so shall I be delivered from mine enemies. Ver. 4, 5, 6, 40.

Ps. xxvii. 11. Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

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Ver. 12. Deliver me not over to the will of mine enemies. xxx. 1. Thou hast not made my foes to rejoice over me; I cried unto the Lord.

Ver. 8. Lord be thou mine helper. Ver. 10.

xxxi. 11. I was a reproach among all mine enemies. Ver. 15, 18. Ps. xxxviii. 19, 21.-xli. 5. I said unto the Lord, deliver me from the hand of mine enemies.

xliv. 4. O God command deliverance for Jacob. Ver. 5, 23.

Iv. 1. Give ear to my prayer, O God, ver. 3. because of the voice of the enemy.

Ver. 18. He hath delivered my soul from battle that was against

me.

lvi. 9. When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back..., lix. 1. Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God. Ps. exliii. 9.

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