Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit how shall … the unlearned say Amen.
Public prayer should be
I. Earnest--with the spirit.
II. Intelligent--So that all can understand.
III. United--all should say Amen. (J. Lyth, D. D.)
Responses in prayer
1. Are not only permissible but proper.
2. Should be said, not shouted.
3. Should be simple, appropriate, intelligent, and heartfelt. (J. Lyth, D. D.)
Public devotion
In this we must keep in view--
1. The glory of God.
2. The edification of others.
3. Our own responsibility. (J. Lyth, D. D.)
Directions for profitably joining in public prayer
I. Public prayer must be diligently attended to.
II. It must be seriously and heartily concurred in.
1. Saying amen, or joining in public prayer, includes our assent to the truths declared and acknowledged; and this with all suitable affections of mind. The Hebrew word “amen” signifies truth; and so expresseth an acknowledgment that what he had said was true. Thus Christ styleth Himself “the Amen, the faithful and true witness,” and the promises of God are said to be “yea and amen”; all true, and certainly to be accomplished. Now this is applicable to the several parts of prayer which are not properly petitions; and you will best understand my meaning by a few illustrations. Suppose a minister to be adoring the perfections of God, acknowledging that He is the greatest and the best of beings, that He is perfectly good, long-suffering, merciful, and gracious, to this you are to say amen, that is, your hearts are to acknowledge with the highest veneration that it is true. Doth the minister acknowledge and celebrate the wonderful works of God, His creation and government of the world, and that glory is due to Him for these? You are to join in such acknowledgments; to confess and adore Him as the Creator, Governor, and Father of the universe. Again, is a minister expressing a thankful sense of God’s favour and mercy to those whose devotion he leads? Is he praising God for our creation, preservation; for health, and peace, and comfort; for our temporal or spiritual blessings? You are to add amen to this.
2. Saying amen, or joining in prayer, includes our hearty consent to the several desires and requests which areexpressed before God. Amen signifies, So be it! let it be so! this is what I earnestly desire. Doth the minister pray that God would be merciful to us and forgive us? You are to say amen; that is, “God be merciful to me, a sinner.”
3. Through the whole of every public and social prayer we are to consider it as our own prayer.
Reflections:
1. This condemns the practice of the Church of Rome in appointing that their public prayers should be in Latin, a language unknown to almost every one that attends upon them. It is impossible that the unlearned should join in such prayers and say amen to them with any devout concurrence.
2. How few are there in our assemblies that properly join in prayer? As Protestants, we have prayers in our native language. What careless airs, what lazy postures are seen in many! How few are there who show the proper marks of seriousness and reverence! and may we not fear that some of those few do not heartily join? Are they not like the statues, or images on monuments, in our ancient churches--in a praying posture indeed, with eyes and hands lifted up to heaven, but with hearts hard as stone, cold as marble?
3. How much do we need the assistance of the Holy Spirit, that our devotion may be pleasing to God and comfortable and edifying to ourselves! (J. Orton.)
I thank God I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the Church I had rather speak five words with my understanding … than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.--
Five words better than ten thousand
1. When more intelligible.
2. When wisely spoken.
3. When calculated to benefit others.
4. When uttered in the spirit of love. (J. Orton.)
Gifts and learning
I. Are matters of thankfulness to God.
II. Should be wisely used--not for display, but edification.
III. Should be subservient to love. (J. Orton.)
Intelligent piety
I. Seeks--not to astonish, but teach.
II. Accomplishes its object--not by learned disquisitions, but by making truth easy by means of a few and plain words.
III. Finds greater satisfaction--in the profit of others, than in self display. (J. Orton.)
