Before you enter into prayer, ask thy soul these questions, 1. To what
_end_, O my soul! art thou retired into this place? Art thou come to
converse with the Lord in prayer? Is he present, will he hear thee? Is
he merciful, will he help thee? Is thy business slight, is it not
concerning the welfare of thy soul? What words wilt thou use to move him
to compassion?
To make thy preparation complete, consider that thou art but _dust_ and
_ashes_; and he the great God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, _that
clothes himself with light as with a garment_; that thou art a vile
sinner, and he a holy God; that thou art but a poor crawling worm, and he
the omnipotent Creator.
In all your prayers, forget not to thank the Lord for his mercies.
When thou prayest, rather let thy heart be without _words_ than thy words
without _heart_.
Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease
from prayer.
The spirit of prayer is more precious than thousands of gold and silver.
Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a
scourge for Satan.