want, and a profound conviction of God's power and willingness to succour him, prompts the Christian to make "many prayers." And each supplication so inspired finds its way to the throne and heart of God. To hear and answer the prayers of His children is one of our Heavenly Father's joys (ch. lxv. 24). 2. _But prayer, like ritualism, instead of being the expression of a realised need, may be only an empty form._ The supplications that are offered may be uttered merely by rote, with as little feeling as a child recites the multiplication-table; or they may be devices by which deluded men seek to propitiate that God whom they are offending by their conduct every day,--mere lip-homage, which they imagine He will accept in condonation of their habitual disregard of His will. In either case, their "many prayers" are worthless husks which He rejects with disdain. If we would have our worship accepted of God, there must be--1. _Spiritual conceptions of His character._ These will prevent us from mocking Him by merely formal prayers or praises. 2. _A solemn realisation of His presence._ How often this is lacking in those who take part in the service of the sanctuary, and even in those who conduct them! But God is not throned in some distant heaven, to which our prayers struggle up we know not how: He is HERE! We shall never be nearer to Him than we are to-day! 3. _An earnest endeavour after holiness in daily life_ (Ps. lxvi. 18). See why God would not regard the uplifted hands of the Jewish supplicants--"Your hands are full of blood." See also ch. lix. 1-3. To no rebel is access to the presence-chamber of the King of kings granted: this is the high privilege of those only who can lift up "holy hands" (1 Tim. ii. 8).[2]--_A. F. Barfield._ FOOTNOTES: [1] The external part of religion is, doubtless, of little value in comparison with the internal; and so is the cask in comparison with the wine contained in it: but if the cask be staved, the wine must perish. If there were no Sundays or holydays, no ministers, no churches or religious assemblies, no prayers or sacraments, no Scriptures read, or sermons preached, how long would there be any religion left in the world: and who would desire to live in a world where there was none?--_Horne,_ 1730-1792.