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For Whom Should We Pray?
Private prayer is by definition a personal activity. It is the soul speaking with God. It is coming into a spiritual communication, through the mediation of the Holy Spirit, with our heavenly Father. A believer approaches God upon the ground of Christ’s cleansing blood and justifying righteousness. No other acceptance is possible. No other qualification is necessary. Holiness must meet holiness (1 Corinthians 2:14). When we come to God in private prayer there need be no constraints, procedures or predefined pattern for our approach. We do not have to pray in a special place, kneel, stand or sit down, to be heard. There are no special words that must be used or formulas to follow. Vain repetition is not prayer, we do not need beads.…
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Daniel’s Prayer
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A Last Epistle
The following is the last letter in my possession, written by my father three months before his death. He had been at Leicester on the 18th. The letter was addressed to Mr. Isaac Harrison, Leicester. Dear Friend,—I just drop this line to say that through the kind providence of God, I reached home safely, and thought myself much better for my journey; but we have had some very trying weather here since I came home, and I am now much worse than I was when at Leicester. This morning the weather is very fine, and I have been out, but can scarcely walk for want of breath. O that I were blessed with a little more of the divine breathings of God the Holy Ghost,…
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The Prayer Of Jabez
A Sermon Preached By Mr. Daniel Smart On Sunday Afternoon, April 23rd, 1876. “And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh, that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested”—1 Chronicles 4:9,10 “And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren.” What honour God has put upon His saints! Heirs of God and joint-heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ, sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty! “And if children, then…
Further Study
Coming To Jesus
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How Oft, Alas, This Wretched Heart
Some of the points covered in this sermon: • Highlighting the subject and theme of the hymn—the triumphant recovery of a rescued backslider • Showing where the subject of backsliding fits within the framework of sovereign grace • Explaining the distinction between the twofold nature of a regenerate sinner’s soul • Explaining progressive sanctification and showing why it is a wrong doctrine • Explaining the difference between progressive sanctification and growth in grace • Outlining the five stanzas of the hymn, each of which may be viewed as a step forward in the recovery process of a rescued backslider • Stanza 1—A Solemn Confession • Stanza 2—A Gracious Invitation • Stanza 3—A Mournful Petition • Stanza 4—A Joyful Acclamation • Stanza 5—A Compelled Resolution…
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Lord, Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing
Some of the points covered in this sermon: • This hymn is a petition to the Lord, that He might prepare His people for another journey on their pilgrimage through the world • Explaining what it means to be a stranger and a pilgrim, using the framework of sovereign grace as a backdrop • Each stanza of the hymn highlights a separate petition • Stanza 1—a petition for refreshment on our journey • Stanza 2—a petition for growth on our journey • Stanzas 3—a petition for perspective on our journey
