_Brethren, pray for us._
IF we enquire, why there is so little love to be found amongst
christians, why the very characteristic, by which every one should
know that we are disciples of the holy JESUS, is almost banished out
of the christian world, we shall find it, in a great measure, owing to
a neglect or superficial performance of that excellent part of prayer,
_intercession_, or imploring the divine grace and mercy in behalf of
others.
Some forget this duty of praying for others, because they seldom
remember to pray for themselves: and even those who are constant in
praying to their Father who is in heaven, are often so selfish in
their addresses to the throne of grace, that they do not enlarge their
petitions for the welfare of their fellow christians as they ought; and
thereby fall short of attaining that christian charity, that unfeigned
love to their brethren, which their sacred profession obliges them to
aspire after, and without which, though they should bestow all their
goods to feed the poor, and even give their bodies to be burned, yet it
would profit them nothing.
Since these things are so, I shall from the words of the text (though
originally intended to be more confined) endeavour to shew,
I. _First_, That it is every christian’s duty to pray for others,
as well as for himself.
II. _Secondly_, Shew, whom we ought to pray for, and in what
manner we should do it. And,
III. _Thirdly_, I shall offer some motives to excite all
christians to abound in this great duty of intercession.
I. _First_, I shall endeavour to shew, That it is every christian’s
duty to pray for others, as well as for himself.
Now _prayer_ is a duty founded on natural religion; the very heathens
never neglected it, though many christian heathens amongst us do:
and it is so essential to christianity, that you might as reasonably
expect to find a living man without breath, as a true christian without
the spirit of prayer and supplication. Thus, no sooner was St. _Paul_
converted, but “behold he prayeth,” saith the LORD Almighty. And thus
will it be with every child of GOD, as soon as he becomes such: prayer
being truly called, The natural cry of the newborn soul.
For in the heart of every true believer there is a heavenly tendency, a
divine attraction, which as sensibly draws him to converse with GOD, as
the load-stone attracts the needle.
A deep sense of their own weakness, and of CHRIST’s fulness; a strong
conviction of their natural corruption, and of the necessity of
renewing grace; will not let them rest from crying day and night to
their Almighty Redeemer, that the divine image, which they lost in
_Adam_, may through his all-powerful mediation, and the sanctifying
operations of his blessed spirit, be begun, carried on, and fully
perfected both in their souls and bodies.
Thus earnest, thus importunate, are all sincere christians in praying
for themselves: but then, not having so lively, lasting, and deep
a sense of the wants of their christian brethren, they are for the
most part too remiss and defective in their prayers for them. Whereas,
was the love of GOD shed abroad in our hearts, and did we love our
neighbour in that manner, in which the Son of GOD our Saviour loved
us, and according to his command and example, we could not but be as
importunate for their spiritual and temporal welfare, as for our own;
and as earnestly desire and endeavour that others should share in the
benefits of the death and passion of JESUS CHRIST, as we ourselves.
Let not any one think, that this is an uncommon degree of charity; an
high pitch of perfection, to which not every one can attain: for, if
we are all commanded to “love our neighbour (that is every man) even as
ourselves,” nay to “lay down our lives for the brethren;” then, it is
the duty of all to pray for their neighbours as much as for themselves,
and by all possible acts and expressions of love and affection towards
them, at all times, to shew their readiness even to lay down their
lives for them, if ever it should please GOD to call them to it.
Our blessed Saviour, as “he hath set us an example, that we should
follow his steps” in every thing else, so hath he more especially
in this: for in that divine, that perfect and inimitable prayer
(recorded in the xviith of St. _John_) which he put up just before his
passion, we find but few petitions for his own, though many for his
disciples welfare: and in that perfect form which he has been pleased
to prescribe us, we are taught to say, not _My_, but “_Our_ Father,”
thereby to put us in mind, that, whenever we approach the throne of
grace, we ought to pray not for ourselves alone, but for all our
brethren in CHRIST.
Intercession then is certainly a duty incumbent upon all christians.
II. Whom we are to intercede for, and how this duty is to be performed,
comes next to be considered.
1. And first, our intercession must be _universal_. “I will, (says the
apostle) that prayers, supplications and intercessions be made for all
men.” For as GOD’s mercy is over all his works, as JESUS CHRIST died
to redeem a people out of all nations and languages; so we should pray,
that “all men may come to the knowledge of the truth, and be saved.”
Many precious promises are made in holy writ, that the gospel shall
be published through the whole world, that “the earth shall be covered
with the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea:” and
therefore it is our duty not to confine our petitions to our own nation;
but to pray that all those nations, who now sit in darkness and in the
shadow of death, may have the glorious gospel shine out upon them, as
well as upon us. But you need not that any man should teach you this,
since ye yourselves are taught of GOD, and of JESUS CHRIST himself, to
pray, that his kingdom may come; part of the meaning of which petition
is, that “GOD’s ways may be known upon earth, and his saving health
among all nations.”
2. Next to the praying for all men, we should, according to St.
_Paul_’s rule, pray for _Kings_; particularly for our present sovereign
King _George_, and all that are put in authority under him: that we
may lead quiet lives, in all godliness and honesty. For, if we consider
how heavy the burden of government is, and how much the welfare of
any people depends on the zeal and godly conversation of those that
have the rule over them: if we set before us the many dangers and
difficulties, to which governors by their station are exposed, and the
continual temptations they lie under to luxury and self-indulgence; we
shall not only pity, but pray for them: that he who preserved _Esther_,
_David_, and _Josiah_, “unspotted from the world,” amidst the grandeur
of a court, and gave success to their designs, would also preserve them
holy and unblameable, and prosper all the works of their hands upon
them. But
3. _Thirdly_, you ought, in a more especial manner, to pray for those,
whom “the Holy Ghost hath made _Overseers_ over you.” This is what St.
_Paul_ begs, again and again, of the churches to whom he writes: Says
he in the text, “Brethren, pray for us;” and again, in his epistle to
the _Ephesians_, “praying always, with all manner of supplication; and
for me also, that I may open my mouth boldly, to declare the mystery of
the gospel.” And in another place, to express his earnestness in this
request, and the great importance of their prayers for him, he bids the
church “strive, (or, as the original word signifies, be in an agony)
together with him in their prayers.” And surely, if the great St.
_Paul_, that chosen vessel, that favourite of heaven, needed the
most importunate prayers of his christian converts; much more do the
ordinary ministers of the gospel stand in need of the intercession of
their respective flocks.
And I cannot but in a more especial manner insist upon this branch
of your duty, because it is a matter of such importance: for, no
doubt, much good is frequently withheld from many, by reason of their
neglecting to pray for their ministers, and which they would have
received, had they prayed for them as they ought. Not to mention, that
people often complain of the want of diligent and faithful pastors. But
how do they deserve good pastors, who will not earnestly pray to GOD
for such? If we will not pray to the LORD of the harvest, can it be
expected he will send forth labourers into his harvest?
Besides, what ingratitude is it, not to pray for your ministers! For
shall they watch and labour in the word and doctrine for you, and your
salvation, and shall not you pray for them in return? If any bestow
favours on your bodies, you think it right, meet, and your bounden duty,
to pray for them; and shall not they be remembered in your prayers, who
daily feed and nourish your souls? Add to all this, that praying for
your ministers, will be a manifest proof of your believing, that though
_Paul_ plant, and _Apollos_ water, yet it is GOD alone who giveth
the increase. And you will also find it the best means you can use,
to promote your own welfare; because GOD, in answer to your prayers,
may impart a double portion of his holy spirit to them, whereby they
will be qualified to deal out to you larger measures of knowledge in
spiritual things, and be enabled more skilfully to divide the word of
truth.
Would men but constantly observe this direction, and when their
ministers are praying in their name to GOD, humbly beseech him to
perform all their petitions: or, when they are speaking in GOD’s name
to them, pray that the Holy Ghost may fall on all them that hear the
word; we should find a more visible good effect of their doctrine, and
a greater mutual love between ministers and their people. For ministers
hands would then be held up by the people’s intercessions, and the
people will never dare to villify or traduce those who are the constant
subjects of their prayers.
4. Next to our ministers, _our friends_ claim a place in our
intercessions; but then we should not content ourselves with praying
in general terms for them, but suit our prayers to their particular
circumstances. When _Miriam_ was afflicted with a leprosy from GOD,
_Moses_ cried and said, “LORD, heal her.” And when the nobleman came
to apply to JESUS CHRIST, in behalf of his child, he said, “LORD, my
little daughter lieth at the point of death, I pray thee to come and
heal her.” In like manner, when our friends are under any afflicting
circumstances, we should endeavour to pray for them, with a particular
regard to those circumstances. For instance, is a friend sick? we
should pray, that if it be GOD’s good pleasure, it may not be unto
death; but if otherwise, that he would give him grace so to take his
visitation, that, after this painful life ended, he may dwell with him
in life everlasting. Is a friend in doubt in an important matter? we
should lay his case before GOD, as _Moses_ did that of the daughters
of _Zelophehad_, and pray, that GOD’s Holy Spirit may lead him into
all truth, and give all seasonable direction. Is he in want? we should
pray, that his faith may never fail, and that in GOD’s due time he may
be relieved. And in all other cases, we should not pray for our friends
only in generals, but suit our petitions to their particular sufferings
and afflictions; for otherwise, we may never ask perhaps for the things
our friends most want.
It must be confessed, that such a procedure will oblige some often to
break from the forms they use; but if we accustom ourselves to it, and
have a deep sense of what we ask for, the most illiterate christian
will not want proper words to express themselves.
We have many noble instances in holy scripture of the success of this
kind of particular intercession; but none more remarkable than that of
_Abraham_’s servant, in the book of _Genesis_, who being sent to seek
a wife for his son _Isaac_, prayed in a most particular manner in his
behalf. And the sequel of the story informs us, how remarkably his
prayer was answered. And did christians now pray for their friends
in the same particular manner, and with the same faith as _Abraham_’s
servant did for his master; they would, no doubt, in many instances,
receive as visible answers, and have as much reason to bless GOD for
them, as he had. But
5. As we ought thus to intercede for our friends, so in like manner
must we also pray for _our enemies_. “Bless them that curse you,
(says JESUS CHRIST) and pray for them that despitefully use you, and
persecute you.” Which commands he enforced in the strongest manner by
his own example: in the very agonies and pangs of death, he prayed even
for his murderers, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they
do!” This, it must needs be confessed, is a difficult duty, yet not
impracticable, to those who have renounced the things of this present
life, (from an inordinate love of which all enmities arise) and who
knowing the terrible woes denounced against those who offend CHRIST’s
little ones, can, out of real pity, and a sense of their danger, pray
for those by whom such offences come.
6. Lastly, and to conclude this head, we should intercede for all that
are any ways _afflicted_ in mind, body, or estate; for all who desire,
and stand in need of our prayers, and for all who do not pray for
themselves.
And Oh! that all who hear me, would set apart some time every day for
the due performance of this most necessary duty! In order to which,