parts are embraced in the prayers recorded in Scripture, though all of them are not generally found in the same prayer.  The prayer of Solomon, at the dedication of the temple, commences with adoration, and proceeds with supplication and intercession.  The prayer of Daniel, in the time of the captivity, commences with adoration, and proceeds with confession, supplication, and intercession.  The prayer of the Levites, in behalf of the people, after the return from captivity, commences with thanksgiving and adoration, and proceeds with confession, supplication, and intercession.  The prayers of David are full of thanksgiving.  The prayer of Habakkuk consists of adoration, supplication, and thanksgiving.  The prayer of the 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 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.