Prayer, like faith and repentance, belongs to no age or time period; but has always been an institution of grace - a part of a remedial system; and is alike the privilege of all the miserable and distressed of human kind who acknowledge a Mediator. Hence, while they who want nothing need not pray, the right of petition is the inalienable, equal; and universal right of all the miserable and distressed under a just and merciful administration.

But in order to our being acceptably heard in our prayers, supplications, intercessions, and thanksgivings, there are certain indispensable prerequisites; and the burden of my present discourse shall be a definition of these prerequisites.

The first of these in order is a Mediator. God cannot listen to a rebel on his own merit or account. It would be beneath his dignity, not merely in his own esteem, but also in that of a universe of pure and exalted intelligences, to commune with, or listen to, the requests of a guilty and polluted transgressor. Hence we say with Paul, "There is but one God, and one Mediator between God and men - the man Christ Jesus" - and with Peter we say, "There is none other name under heaven given amongst men by which we must be saved:" for Jesus himself said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father but by me."

In the second place, faith in God and in his son Jesus Christ is indispensable; for "without faith," says Paul, "it is impossible to please God: for he that comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." "Let him ask in faith," says James; and let not the man that is undecided, or that "wavereth, think that he shall receive any thing from the Lord."

In the 3d place, repentance, or a full preparation of our hearts to seek the Lord, is a prerequisite, without which no man can be accepted of God. Thus spake Peter to Simon, "Repent of this thy wickedness, and pray to God." And said the Lord to Jeremiah, "You shall pray unto me, and, I will hearken unto you; and you shall seek me and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart." A thousand testimonies speak the same things.

In the fourth place, we mast be led by the Spirit; for we know not what we should ask without its teachings. In other words, we must pray according to the suggestions of the Holy Spirit, or its promptings in us. For example, we cannot pray for worldly riches and honor in faith, in repentance, or in the Holy Spirit: not because we have no promise of these things, but because such requests are not compatible with repentance, nor with the teachings of the Holy Spirit. We may, indeed, pray for competence, for influence, for wisdom, for the salvation of our families, etc. because such desires are prompted by the Holy Spirit.

Four things are therefore indispensable to acceptable and successful prayer - a Mediator, faith, repentance, and the teachings of the Holy Spirit. Without these four, no person can expect to be answered or accepted of the Lord, And no man can ask any thing from the Lord, with these prerequisites, which he will not certainly obtain from the Lord.