But, secondly, it is faith we see which gives force to prayer. “As thou hast believed.” “Whatsoever ye ask, believing, ye shall receive.” “Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.” “Let not him that wavereth think that he shall receive anything of the LORD.” GOD would have us wait on Him, with confidence in His sufficiency, with sure expectation that He will give what we ask. If we lack this confidence and this expectation; if we make formal, rather than eager and hopeful requests; if we have any misgivings as to the answer; if we secretly resolve what we will do, if there is no answer; if we wait not, and watch not, for the answer, then, brethren, we forfeit the blessing. GOD heareth not such—we virtually ask Him not to answer us. We mock Him with the idle form of prayer. O ye who ask GOD for guidance, at the same time questioning yourselves as to what ye shall do—ye that pray against temptation, and forthwith yield to it—ye that profess to cast care upon GOD, all the while being full of cares—ye that beseech Him to help you, yet go on helping yourselves—ye that pray, and live as though you had not prayed, that call upon GOD, but wait not for his answer—ye that are not certain, that feel not the certainty, and act not, or forbear from acting upon it, that what you ask you shall obtain, be sure that you shall go empty away, and that because of your unbelief. It is hollow formalism, it is fearful trifling, it is blasphemous mockery, to ask without faith, without sure calculation upon receiving. You dare not treat an earthly friend so. You shall not, with impunity, treat GOD so! Ah! here is the explanation of unanswered prayer—prayer for that which is desirable and right—it was not offered in faith; the answer was not expected, and relied on; the life did not manifest expectation and reliance! Would you indeed receive anything from GOD? Prefer your request, in full acknowledgment of GOD’S ability, in faithful trust in His performance of all that you ask according to His will, and show your faith by utter renunciation of all self-guidance and self-dependence, by patient waiting, by steadfast resistance of all that GOD forbids, and persevering pursuit of all that He commands. Impress this upon yourselves as the spirit of your prayer, and the rule of your lives. Make yourselves such as GOD hears. Cleanse yourselves by the power of His grace from sin, that you may be allowed to approach Him. Arm yourselves with the godly resolution that, come what will, you will serve the LORD; and seek, above all, His kingdom and the righteousness thereof. Examine yourselves, your peculiar wants and difficulties, that you may inform your prayers, and make them pointed and particular, expressing what you need and desire. Then offer them, with felt unworthiness, with holy adoration, in the certain conviction that He hears you, that He can supply your need, that He will supply it; and take