Perpetual Prayer
S. Martin. Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; I. WHAT IS HERE REQUIRED? 1. Continuance in personal and secret prayer primarily. In these times Christ's saying is reversed. Men seem to say, If you pray openly, the Father will reward you in secret. And if a man have a taste for prayer meetings and none for private prayer, he should give up the prayer meetings until he recover the taste for secret prayer. 2. Paul speaks of continuance in the sense of importunity and perseverance. "Instant," means earnest, pressing, and urgent. The precept implies the danger of non-continuance — of a lack of earnestness and urgency. Now this danger arises from — (1) Scepticism about prayer. Men are often tempted to ask, "What profit shall we have if we pray to Him?" Then we may be beset by unbelief as to God's hearing our prayers in particular. (2) Indifference. Men do not care to pray. There is no very pressing want; no very urgent danger. The man is looking simply on the surface of his life. II. WHY IS THIS REQUIREMENT MADE? Habitual prayer — 1. Keeps in habitual exercise the first principles of our religious life, etc. You cannot pray without bringing into exercise faith, trust, hope, and love. Now these principles are not intended to be within us like gems in a casket, but are like muscles. Work them, and they will be strengthened; give them nothing to do, and they will shrink, and when you want them, they will not be in a state to serve you. 2. Keeps a man face to face with God. This is the right position. We never see any matter as we ought to see it, except we look God in the face about it. 3. Recognises the two great blessings of the Christian economy. And what are these? (1) The mediation of Christ. (2) The ministration of the Holy Ghost. 4. Is the constant use of the highest agency which Christians can employ. What has prayer done? Conquered the elements, healed the diseased, restored life, etc. Prayer moves the band which moves the world. 5. Is second only to ceaseless praise in the loftiness and in the sacredness of the habit. 6. Is in harmony with God's present method of government. The basis of that government is atonement, i.e., an embodied supplication for mercy. (S. Martin.) Parallel Verses KJV: Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; WEB: rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer;