But I come now to give a few practical directions respecting the exercise of prayer.  Several things are necessary to be observed by every one who would live near the throne of grace.

1. Maintain a constant spirit of prayer. “Pray without ceasing.”  “Continuing instant in prayer.”  “Praying always, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.”  “And he spake a parable unto them, to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.”  The meaning of these passages is not that we should be always upon our knees, but that we should maintain such a prayerful frame, that the moment our minds are disengaged, our hearts will rise up to God.  Intimately connected with this is the practice of ejaculatory prayer, which consists of a short petition, silently and suddenly sent up from the heart.  This may be done anywhere, and under all circumstances.  Frequent examples of this kind of prayer are recorded in Scripture.  It has also been the practice of living Christians in all ages.  It is a great assistance in the Christian warfare.  It helps us in resisting temptation; and by means of it, we can seek divine aid in the midst of the greatest emergencies.  To maintain this unceasing spirit of prayer is a very difficult work.  It requires unwearied care and watchfulness, labor, and perseverance.  Yet no Christian can thrive without it.

2. Observe staled and regular seasons of prayer. Some professors of religion make so much of the foregoing rule as to neglect all other kinds of prayer.  This is evidently unscriptural.  Our Saviour directs us to enter into our closets, and, when we have shut the door, to pray to our Father who is in secret.  And to this precept he has added the sanction of his own example.  In the course of his history, we find him often retiring to solitary places, to pour out his soul in prayer.  Other examples are also recorded in Scripture.  David says, “Evening and morning, and at noon, will I pray.”  And again; “Seven times a day do I praise thee.”  And it was the habitual practice of Daniel, to kneel down in his chamber, and pray three times a day.  But this practice is so natural, and so agreeable to Christian feeling, that no argument seems necessary to persuade real Christians to observe it.  It has been the delight of eminent saints, in all ages, to retire alone, and hold communion with God.

With regard to the particular times of prayer, no very definite rule can be given, which will suit all circumstances.  There is a peculiar propriety in visiting the throne of grace in the morning, to offer up the thanksgiving of our hearts for our preservation, and to seek grace for the day:  and also in the evening, to express our gratitude for the mercies we have enjoyed; to confess the sins we have committed and seek for pardon; and to commit ourselves to the care of a covenant-keeping God, when we retire to rest.  It is also very suitable, when we suspend our worldly employments in the middle of the day, to