Him, as sacrifice and incense, according to the expression of David, "Let my prayer be directed as incense in Thy sight; the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice." (Ps. cxl. 2.) By prayer we become companions of the angels, and treat familiarly with God Himself. God conceives Himself honored by our prayers, as He tells us by His prophet, " Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me." (Ps. xlix. 15.)
II. In consequence of the miseries of this mortal life, and its continual dangers, prayer is essentially necessary for us. The life of our soul is in constant peril from the devil, who is "as a roaring lion, going about, seeking whom he may devour," (i. Peter v. 8.), and from the allurements of pleasure, which continually assail us. Our mortal life is never exempt from dangers, arising from war, famine and pestilence, from sickness, loss of goods, from the death of our friends, and from innumerable other crosses and afflictions. Hence, we ought to address our Lord in the language of king Josaphat, " As we know not what to do, we can only turn our eyes to Thee." (2 Paralip. xx. 12.)
III. By His general providence, God might have redressed all our evils and necessities, without our having recourse to Him by prayer. This is His conduct in relation to every other creature. But, in order to endear us the more to Him, He has decreed, that we should beg these favors from Him, and thus show our dependence on Him, and acknowledge Him to be the author of all good. Hence, He has given us an express command, and enforced it by His Son Jesus Christ, who teaches us, that "we ought always to pray." (Luke xviii. 1.) Reflect upon your spiritual and temporal necessities, " and go with confidence to the throne of grace, that you may
