Acceptable prayer.
I. WHEN ADDRESSED TO THE RIGHT OBJECT. God (Psalms 65:2). Not, however, the God of our imaginations, or the God of nature simply; but the God of revelation and the God of grace, the God who hath manifested forth his glory in the Person of Jesus Christ.
II. WHEN PRESENTED THROUGH THE RIGHT MEDIUM Jesus Christ, the one Mediator between God and man (1혻Timothy 2:5), the one Advocate for sinful men (1혻John 2:1), the one High Priest over the house of God (Hebrews 7:25), the Daysman for whom Job longed (Job 9:33), the Redeemer to whom he looked forward (Job 19:25).
III. WHEN OFFERED IN THE RIGHT SPIRIT.
1. Sincerely (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8).
2. Humbly (Genesis 32:10; Isaiah 66:2; Luke 18:13).
3. Believingly (Matthew 21:22; Hebrews 11:6; James 1:6).
4. Holily (1혻Timothy 2:8); i.e. with renunciation of sin (Proverbs 15:8; Proverbs 21:27; Proverbs 28:9; Psalms 66:18), and with kind and forgiving dispositions (Mark 11:25).
IV. WHEN ASKING FOR THE RIGHT THINGS. Things contained within the promises. These give to prayer a scope at once ample and sufficient.
1. Ample; since the promises are exceeding great and precious in their variety (2혻Peter 1:4).
2. Sufficient; since they contain all things pertaining to life and godliness.