872 PRAYERS FOR CIIILPREN. also remember that he takes kind notice of every sincere desires, and every pious wish that rises from your heart. VII. Take heed, that you speak not any thing to God in prayer, which is not the sincere thought and desire of your own soul. See to it, that your heart agree to the words of your prayer, or else do not utter them before God. " God is a Spi- rit, and he will be worshipped in spirit and in truth :" Ile hates a hypocrite, who speaks what he does not mean. If there be, therefore, any sentence in the prayer, which is not suitable to your present case, or which your heart does not agree to, leave It out, and speak what is the sense of your own heart. VIII. Take notice, every day, what good or evil falls Out relating to you, and by this means, perhaps, you will often have some particular thing in your mind to mention before God, which is not expressed, so plainly, in the words of the prayer ; it may be some sin to confess, some sorrow to,complain et', some blessing to desire, or some mercy to give thanks for : Then be sure to speak it with freedom in your own language : The great God, who hears the young ravens, when they cry, will much more take notice of the voice and language of young children, when they pray to him ; and he understands the meaning ofour heart though your expressions may not be so proper as you could wish. This will be the way to learn topray, and gain an ability in time to address God in a proper manner, without the necessity of such forms. IX. Use a low voice in secret prayer : It may be so loud, that yourself may just hear it, but scarce loud enough for others to hear it, in a distant part even of the same room. A small voice will be of some use to keep your thoughts from wander. ing, but a loud voice may, perhaps, give occasion forother per- sons tocharge you with hypocrisy, as though you practised your duties, on purpose, to be seen and heard of men, and.to make a chewof your goodness and religion.' And yet, X. If any persons whatsoever take notice of your retiring daily, to pray to God in secret, never be ashamed of it, nor leave off prayer, for fear of being seen or known to be religious. If you are ashamed of worshipping God your heavenly Father in this world, God will be ashamed to own you for one of his.child- ren, in the world to come. XI. When several children join together, and one of them repeats-any ofthese prayers, take care thatnothing he done with rudeness or confusion, but let all decency and gravity be prac- tised. Let not him that speaks begin, till all are come in, and have fallen down on their knees; and let every one attend to the words spoken, and lift up his heart to God, in all the several sentences ; that the prayer of every one may be accepted of God,
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