Thomas Boston
We should be much in prayer – both family prayer and secret prayer before we go to public worship, therefore we ought to spend the morning of the Lord’s day in such a way that we have time for them. If you wish to get good from the Word read or preached, pray – and pray earnestly – beforehand. Pray for:
1An edited extract from Boston’s Works, vol 2.
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Assistance for the minister. The Apostle Paul says, “Brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified” (2 Th 3:1). Pray that the Lord Himself would come out with him, directing him, instructing him and moving him to know what to speak and how to speak it. It is rare to see a lively people under a dead ministry; therefore people’s own interest should engage them in concern for ministers.
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A meal for yourselves. “Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law” (Ps 119:18). Pray that God would direct the Word to your case, and send it home to your hearts with His blessing, that you may be enlightened, sanctified, strengthened, humbled, or raised up by it, as your case requires. And in order to attain this, pray and wrestle earnestly for:
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An outpouring of the Spirit in His ordinances, agreeably to the Lord’s own promises, such as, “Behold, I will pour out My Spirit unto you” (Prov 1:23), so that yourselves and others may be bettered by the Word. Everyone should be concerned for the success of the gospel, not only to themselves, but also to others. Love to God and our neighbours’ souls should engage us to this (2 Th 3:1).
Now, having engaged beforehand in both this preparation2 and prayer, beware that you do not lean on them, but remember that all depends on the Spirit’s influences, and that He is debtor to none. “Awake, O north wind; and come thou south, blow upon My garden, that the spices thereof may flow out” (Song 4:16). “The wind bloweth where it listeth” (Jn 3:8). Cry therefore that the Spirit may render the Word effective.