Do you ever receive answers to your prayers?  We do not speak to those, who look upon prayer simply as an act of homage done to a superior being; they do not expect any:  but to those, who believe that prayer has power with God.  Why are so many prayers ineffectual, even of those who really expect an answer?  Some lack earnestness; they are too diffusive, like the letter of the young maiden, in which she asks a hundred questions, which are forgotten as soon as she has attached the seal.  Others want warmth; they are too formal, like a petition to a sovereign; which may, or may not, receive a gracious and condescending reply.  Others are importunate, and earnest enough, like the beggar’s appeal for relief, but without much hope of success.  But how few, like the cry of a child, who runs to his father with his one, for the moment, all-absorbing request, never dreaming of a refusal, and importunately urged till he succeeds.  Yet such is the spirit of filial affection and confidence we are privileged to use before God.  For “This is the confidence we have in Him; that if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us; and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions, that we desired of Him.”  Mrs. Lyth’s distinguishing feature, was her love of prayer.  It was, to use her own words, “the life of her soul, her delight, her greatest joy;” and her practice bore out the truth and sincerity of her words.  Besides her own stated hours of private devotion, which were frequent, it was her practice for many years to conduct family worship three times a-day.  But beyond this, innumerable occasions presented themselves, which stimulated her thirsting soul.  The call of a friend, or the arrival of a letter; the prospect of a journey, or a safe return:  the recollection of a promise, or the reception of a blessing; a wakeful night, or a sunny day; in a word, whatever strongly impressed her spirit as a subject of thanksgiving, or an object of desire, was to her the signal for prayer.  And not unfrequently, engagements were entered into with her intimate friends, to offer at given times, special intercessions for particular objects; engagements, which were faithfully fulfilled.  This ceaseless spirit of prayer was the source of strength; for, though naturally of a timid and retiring disposition, “As a prince she had power with God and man, and prevailed.”  These remarks, a careful reader will find fully sustained by her own journal.

“1832.—­Sent a letter to M.W.O may it be blest to her!  M.W. was at the class, and seemed thankful for the admonition.—­I went to the village on the Lord’s errand, praying He would make my going prosperous; He graciously inclined one friend to accompany me to Mr. B.’s class—­I am encouraged to hope there is a work of grace upon her heart:  O that it may prove lasting!  In visiting one of my members, I found there was no family-prayer.  We prayed together, and on her