faith in Jesus Christ; this is our common prerogative as members of His royal priesthood (Eph 1:3–7, 2:13–20,3:8–12, 5:1–2; 1 Pet. 2:1–5,9–10). Paul calls us in our prayers to speak for all men. Abraham pleads even for Sodom because of Lot (Gen 18); Jeremiah calls the remnant to remember Babylon for its own peace (Jer 29); the Lord shortens days of tribulation for His elect (Mark 13)—so we too pray for all men. No class, color, condition is past prayer. Prayer informs us of, involves us with, and endears us to all men, as children of God (Matt 5:44).
19. Come, Holy Ghost, the Comforter
I.
1 Come, Holy Ghost, the Comforter
Which our Lord Jesus gives
To God’s elect who by Thy power
Repent, believe and live!
2 Blest Holy Ghost, eternal God
The Father and the Son
Have sent Thee to impart the life
The Risen Christ has won.
3 Convince, convict of every sin,
Ill done, or good undone;
Reprove the world of righteousness
Of judgment yet to come!
4 Spirit of supplicating grace,
On every soul twice-born,
Pour out repentance, at the cross
To look on Christ, and mourn.
5 No man but by the Holy Ghost
Can call Christ Jesus Lord:
The gift of faith God gives by Him
Through preaching of the Word.
C.M.
Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 30; New Testament: Matthew 19 Psalm: 19
1 Timothy 2:1–2
1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
Timothy well knew Paul’s “manner of life,” he well knew how Paul himself prayed. The Apostle practiced what he preached; he prayed for believers just as he asked believers to pray for him. So he himself prayed for the Church just what he ordained us to pray for in Church.
Pray for kings? Paul dared to pray for Agrippa (Acts 26:25–29). Dare I not pray for Gospel grace when I say, “God save the Queen”?
Pray for all in authority? Paul astonished Sergius Paulus of Paphos and led him to faith (Acts 13:6–12); he made Felix and Drusilla tremble as he reasoned of the faith of Christ (Acts 24:24–25). He baptized his jailer at Philippi (Acts 16:23–34). His bonds for Christ were known in Nero’s palace, and he found saints in Caesar’s household (Phil. 1:12–13; 4:22). Do not the men and women in Parliament, in the police, in the courts, in civil service have souls, and families with souls?
Pray for all men? Paul makes himself servant to all to gain the more; he seeks the profit of the many, that they may be saved (1 Cor 9:22,10:32–33). Will he not pray for all? Will I not?
Lord Jesus, teach me to pray! Thou didst take a penny, and finding the image and superscription of Caesar on it, teach us to render to Caesar what is Caesar’s (Luke 20). Teach me how to pray for kings.
Thou didst pay the Temple tax, though the Son by nature, exempt from the tribute due from Thy Father’s servants. Thou didst put a coin in the mouth of the fish which Peter caught, to pay both for him, and for Thee (Matt 17:24–27). Teach me how to pray for all that are in authority.
Thou didst go about doing good, healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for God was with Thee (Acts 10:36). Thou, the chosen, beloved Servant of Jehovah, Thou didst not strive nor cry, neither did any man hear Thy voice in the streets (Matt 12:15–21). Let me not ask “Who is my neighbor?” Let me ask “To whom can I be neighbor?” (Luke 10:25–27). Teach me how to pray that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life.
From a Child didst Thou grow, waxing strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Thee; Thou didst increase in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man; of Thy fullness have all received, and grace for grace (Luke 2:40, 52; John 1:16). Teach me how to pray that we may lead . . . life in all godliness and honesty.
Lord Jesus Christ, of the seed of David raised from the dead (2 Tim.2:8), who hast now all authority in heaven and earth (Matt 28:18), so overrule the conditions of our land, our nation, our society that Thy people may flourish and adorn the Gospel by leading a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
20. Come, Holy Ghost, the Comforter
II.
6 Spirit of witness, in our hearts
Shed forth the love of God,
Which gave His Son to die for us
And shed His precious Blood!
7 O Spirit of adoption, sent
Into our hearts to cry
To God, “Our Father!” now begin
In us to testify.
8 Spirit of promise, Earnest blest,
Thou hast believers sealed
Unto redemption’s glorious day
When Christ shall be revealed.
9 O Holy Spirit of God, let not
Our sins Thy presence grieve:
The living temple of our hearts
Forsake not—never leave!
10 Our souls and bodies now possess,
Our minds and hearts renew:
Within us Thy good pleasure work
To think, to will, to do.
C.M.
Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 31; New Testament: Matthew 20 Psalm: 20
1 Timothy 2:3–4
3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
O God, Thou art our Savior! “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song: He also is become my salvation” (Isa 12:2; 2 Sam 22:2–4). “God hath chosen you to salvation through sanctification
