glorification, says to his disciples, "Verily, I say unto you,
whatsoever ye shall _ask the Father in my name_, he will give it you."
This, however, does not forbid us to pray directly to Christ, as God
manifest in the flesh, which was a common practice with the apostles.

When the power of prayer is properly understood, it becomes a subject of
amazing interest. I am persuaded there is a vast amount of unbelief, in
relation to this matter, among Christians. If it were not so, the
chariot wheels of God's salvation would roll on with mighty power. There
would be a glorious movement in every part of the world. The Spirit of
the Lord would be shed forth like a "mighty rushing wind." The promises
of God to his people are so large and full, that the utmost stretch of
their faith cannot reach them. The great and eternal God has
condescended to lay himself under obligation to hear and answer the
prayers of mortal worms. If we collect the promises relating to this
subject, we shall be astonished at the amount of assurance which is
given. So confident was David on this point, that he addresses God as
the _hearer of prayer_, as though that were a distinguishing trait in
his character. Again, he says, "He will _regard_ the prayer of the
destitute, and _not despise_ their prayer." Solomon says, "The prayer of
the upright _is his delight_;" and again, "He heareth the prayer of the
righteous." The apostle James Bays, "The effectual, fervent prayer of a
righteous man _availeth much_." The apostle Peter says, "The eyes of the
Lord are open to the righteous, and his ears are open unto their
prayers." And Christ himself has assured us, in the strongest possible
terms, of the willingness of God to give spiritual blessings to those
that ask for them. He says, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and
ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For _every one_
that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that
knocketh, it shall he opened." But, as if this assurance were not