+I. The apostle supposes our obligation to prayer to be so plain that
every rational mind will see it, and so important that every pious
heart will feel it.+--Our obligation to prayer naturally results from
our weakness and dependence and God's all-sufficiency and goodness.
Desires directed to Him are prayers. To clothe our desires in
language is not essential. God hears the desire of the humble. There
is the same reason for daily prayer as for daily labour. Prayer is a
means of enlivening our pious sentiments and exciting us to the
practice of duty and thus preparing us for Divine favours.
+II. Prayer is of several kinds.+--Social and secret, public and
domestic, stated and occasional; and consists of several
parts--confession, supplication, intercession, and thanksgiving. The
apostle points out no part or kind of prayer in distinction from all
others, but exhorts in general to pray with all prayer.
+III. The manner in which our prayers should be offered.+--The spirit
and temper of the heart in our prayers is the main thing necessary to
qualify them for God's acceptance. The first thing necessary in
prayer is faith. Our desires must be good and reasonable. Attention
of mind, collection of thought, and warmth of affection are
qualifications required in prayer. Our prayers must be accompanied
with justice to men. Charity is an essential qualification in prayer.
Our prayers must be joined with a sense of and sorrow for sin, and
submission to the Divine will. We are to continue in prayer, and
watch thereunto with all perseverance.
+IV. The apostle here teaches the duty of intercession for
others.+--If God is good to others as well as to us, there is the
same ground on which to offer our social intercessions as our
personal petitions. We are commanded to pray for all men, and
especially for all saints; this is to pray for the general virtue and
happiness of the human race in this and all succeeding ages.
Christians ought to pray for their minister. There was something
special in Paul's case--he was an ambassador in bonds.
+V. The apostle points out the manner in which he aimed and all
ministers ought to preach the Gospel.+--The apostle desired to make
known the mystery of the Gospel, and to speak boldly. In a minster
boldness is necessary; not that impudent boldness which assumes an
unmerited superiority, but that pious fortitude that dares to utter
the important things of religion without reserve and without fear of
personal inconvenience. He must persevere in the faithful execution
of his office, whatever discouragements may arise from the opposition
of the world, the frowns of the great, the contempt of the proud, the
want of concurrence, or the smallness of his success.--_Lathrop._