July 19, 2018

The Christian in Complete Armour - Gurnall - LXXI - Direction Eleventh continued

Required readingThe Christian in Complete Armour by William Gurnall (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Direction Eleventh by reading the Third Distinction of Branch First of Division Second of the Second General Part.


My summary
Today we continue the Second Division of the Second General Part of Direction Eleventh on prayer from: 'Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." (Eph. 6:18) 

As we've noted earlier, the Second General Part makes up an excellent directory to perform the duty of prayer while the Second Division is about the Kinds of Prayer.  And the First Branch looks at 'all prayer' as showing the diverse manner of prayer.

Thus far, we've covered the first two Distinctions of the manner of prayer: ejaculatory prayer and composed secret prayer.

Today we look at the Third Distinction: Social and joint prayer.

Firstly we are taught about the importance of prayer in the family, including four uses of this teaching:
(i) reproof to those Christians who needlesslly throw themselves upon such families where the worship of God is not set up;
(ii) counsel for those whom God hath planted in religious families;
(iii) a word to those heads of families that have not had a heart to set up the worship of God in them;
(iv) a word to those that have set up this duty in their families.

Secondly Gurnall instructs us about prayer in public in the church.  He does so by showing:
(i) that God requires a public worship of his people;
(ii) that prayer is a part of this public worship he commands;
(iii) why God requires a public worship, and in particular, public prayer;
(iv) answers to questions concerning public prayer;
(v) some applicatory improvement of this head.

What grabbed me

I enjoyed this exhortation to those who have grown up with family worship in the home: 'Bless God for casting thy lot in so pleasant a seat and fruitful a soil for thy soul, where thou mayest suck in the sweet air of God's Spirit that breathes from thy godly parents or other governors at the throne of grace from day to day; that thou art not wedged into some blind atheistical family, there to live with a godless crew, among whom thou mightest have passed thy days without any knowledge of thy Maker, and with them have been involved in that curse of God which is in the house of the wicked, and hangs like a black cloud in the threatening, ready to pour down upon the families that call not upon his name. Look round thy neighbourhood and see how many families there are who live like brutes, as in so many dark caves and dens, where none of that heavenly light is seen, from one end of the year to the other, which shines on thy face every day. What nurture and breeding should thy soul have had under the tutoring of such parents and masters, who themselves live 'without God in the world?' The queen of Sheba counted them happy that stood before Solomon, not so much that they might see his pomp, but hear his wisdom. O happy thou—if grace to know thy privilege—that thou ministerest unto a godly master, art under gracious parents, or yoked to a holy husband, from whose devout prayers, pious counsels, and Christian examples, thou mayest gain more than if they had the wealth, delicacies, and preferments of Solomon's court to confer upon thee.'

I'm thankful that I grew up in such a home and I hope that one day my children will offer a similar prayer of thanksgiving.

Next week's reading
Continue Direction Eleventh by reading the Fourth Distinction of Branch First of Division Second of the Second General Part.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.




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