DEAR CHILDREN:--"Prayer is the offering up of our desires to God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies." This is the definition given in a Catechism with which you are familiar, and a more complete and perfect one could scarcely be conceived. It is the offering up of our _sincere desires_; for unless it be _sincere_, it is but solemn mockery. It is to be addressed to _God alone_; for prayer addressed to any created being, is an act of treason to our rightful Sovereign. It is to be "for things _agreeable to the divine will_;" or else it is unauthorized and presumptuous. It is always to be presented _in the name of Christ_; for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we can draw near to a holy God with acceptance, but the name of Jesus Christ. It must be accompanied with _confession of sin_; because the approach of a sinner to God, without an humble sense and acknowledgment of unworthiness, would be contrary to every principle of reason, as well as to the Christian plan of salvation. And, finally, it ought to include a thankful acknowledgment of _divine mercies_; for without a grateful sense of God's goodness, we cannot be in a frame of mind fitted to receive farther favours. I trust, dear children, I need not dwell long on either the _reasonableness_ or the _duty_ of prayer. If we are entirely dependent on God for every temporal and spiritual blessing, then it is surely reasonable that we acknowledge our dependence, and apply to him with humility and earnestness for his aid. If his favour is life, and his blessing the best riches, it is evident that we ought to supplicate them with importunity and perseverance. If we are sinners, unworthy of the divine favour, we ought to humble ourselves at his footstool, and make confession of our sins with penitence and obedience. If he has revealed a plan of mercy and grace to us, of which he invites and commands us to avail ourselves, then every principle of self interest concurs with reason, in urging us to seek with earnestness a participation in that mercy. And if our Maker and Redeemer has, in so many words, commanded us "by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving to make known our requests to God," who can question, for a moment, the _reasonableness_ of a compliance with that command?