EPC Australia

This is the condition of a very important grant. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

Whatever appears humiliating in the condition to which the Saviour submitted, let it be remembered that he entered it voluntarily, and knowingly. He was aware that if the children were partakers of flesh and blood, he likewise himself must also take part in the same, and that in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren. He must therefore not only suffer, but obey; and though he was a Son, yet learned he obedience. He must therefore pray. Prayer is the act of an inferior nature, and the Word was made flesh. Though rich, he became poor, and made himself of no reputation.

Many objections are made to prayer. Some of them are specious, but they are all founded in ignorance. The best way to answer them is to take our stand on the Scripture, and make our appeal. Does not God derive his character and glory from his hearing prayer? Is not his Spirit the Spirit of grace and of supplication? Is not this his command, is not this his promise, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find?" Does he dispense with this, even in the case of his own Son? And can it be dispensable with regard to us? We know his determination. For all these things I will yet be inquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them. "Ask, and I shall give thee."

But how was he to ask? First, when he was on earth, he prayed like one of us. He prayed alone, and in company with his disciples; he prayed in the Wilderness, and in the Garden, and on the Cross: "In the days of his flesh, he offered up prayers and supplication, with strong crying and tears, unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared." Secondly, he continued the presentation of his desire, when he entered heaven. We know not whether this was done vocally, but it was done really. Thirdly, he does it relatively. Thus prayer is made for him continually. And whenever individuals, ministers, and churches, pray for the success of his cause, He is asking.

And his prayer, and our praying, are founded on the same consideration, his sufferings and death. It was said, that when the Father should make his soul an offering for sin, he should see his seed, and prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord should prosper in his hands; he should see of the travail of his soul, and should be satisfied. This was the joy set before him; and having fulfilled the awful condition on which it was suspended, he pleads for it. He therefore asks, in his own Name, and on his own behalf. And we ask on the same behalf, and in the same Name; according to his own direction: "Whatsoever ye shall ask, believing, in my Name, ye shall receive."

And this should encourage and embolden us. There can be no more uncertainty attending the success of our asking, than of his, for herein we are identified with him. There is no unfaithfulness with God; and he hath said, "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession."

If our prayers are sincere, they must be influential, and we shall exert ourselves in the Redeemer's cause. Nor can we labour in vain. We are on the sure, the rising, the prevailing side. Merchants, heroes, politicians, may all weary themselves for very vanity. We are at a certainty. A king shall reign and prosper. "His Name shall endure for ever; his Name shall be continued as long as the sun; and men shall be blessed in him; all nations shall call him blessed. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious Name for ever; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and Amen."

Morning Exercises For Everyday In The Year
By Rev. William Jay