disciples, after the joyous return of the apostles from the council of
their persecutors, consists of adoration, a particular rehearsal of
their peculiar circumstances, and supplication. The apostle Paul
particularly enjoins "prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving." If
you wish to learn _how_ to pray, I would advise you to look out and
study all the prayers recorded in Scripture. Although most of them are
probably but the substance of what was said on the several occasions
when they were offered, yet you will find them much better patterns than
the prayers of Christians at the present day. There is a fervent
simplicity about them, very different from the studied, formal prayers
which we often hear. There is a definiteness and point in them, which
take hold of the feelings of the heart. The Lord's prayer furnishes a
comprehensive summary of the subjects of prayer: and you will take
particular notice what a prominent place is assigned to the petition for
the coming of Christ's kingdom. This shows that, in all our prayers, the
glory of God should be the leading desire of our hearts. But, it is
evident that Christ did not intend this as a particular form of prayer,
to be used on all occasions; although it includes all that is necessary.
We are so made as to be affected with a _particular_ consideration of
the subjects in which we are interested. We find our Lord himself using
other words to suit particular occasions; although the subjects of his
prayers were all included in this. The same thing, also, we observe in
the practice of the apostles and early Christians. This is only intended
as a general pattern; nor is it necessary that all the petitions
contained in the Lord's prayer should ever be made at the said time.

Prayer must always be offered in the name of Christ. There is no other
way by which we can approach God. There is no other channel through
which we can receive blessings from him. Jesus is our Advocate and
Intercessor. Our blessed Lord, speaking of the time of his