(Ecclus. xxiv. 26.) He is more willing to give than we are to receive.
II. This bountiful Lord will visit you to-day in the Eucharist, and if you be grateful in His sight, He will say to you, as King Assuerus did to Esther, " What is thy petition, Esther, that it may be granted thee, and what wilt thou have done? although thou askest half my kingdom, thou shalt have it.', (Est. vii. 2.) Examine what you stand most in need of, and be ready with your petition, as Esther was. Adorn your soul, as she did her person, in order that you may please your Lord, when He comes.
III. There are impediments, which will render your petitions of no avail. 1. "God doth not hear sinners." (John ix. 31.) As long, then, as you persist in sin, you will not be heard. 2. He does not grant the request of those, who pray for vain and unprofitable things; but dismisses their petition with a rebuke, " you know not what you ask." (Matt. xx. 22.) Those are unheard, who. pray with tepidity, "Because thou art lukewarm, I will begin to vomit thee out of My mouth." (Apoc. iii. 16.} Your Lord requires perseverance and constancy in your prayer. " He who perseveres in knocking" (Luke xi.), " will receive the loaves, even for his importunity, as many as he needeth." (Luke v. 8.)
MONDAY.
The Benefit of Prayer.— I.
I. We are continually invited by the Church to pray, particularly during these rogation days. The dignity and excellence of prayer are very great. Prayer is an act of religious worship offered to God, and accepted by
