Take up the words of David, Psalm 5:3: “My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up.” Oh, what surprises of goodness and grace God has in store for you and me, if only we would pray without ceasing!

It’s important for us to understand M’Cheyne’s idea of holiness. It was not a self-centered ambition. He wanted to be holy for love of Jesus Christ.
—Dr. John Snyder, Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically

Robert Murray M’Cheyne (1813–1843) was one of the most godly, faithful, and able young pastors of his day. He sought to conform every area of his life to the holy example of Christ. M’Cheyne studied under Thomas Chalmers at Edinburgh University. He became a pastor in Dundee, Scotland by the age of twenty-three, where he served faithfully until his death at twenty-nine.

In this letter, written to his flock during a period of absence, M’Cheyne offers biblical encouragement about the way God answers prayer.

Media Gratiae exists to equip you to make use of the means of grace. May these reminders lead you to the throne of grace in constant prayer.

Oh, there is nothing I would have you more sure of than this, that God hears and answers prayer. There never was, and never will be, a believing prayer left unanswered. Meditate on this, and you will say: “I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplication” (Ps 116:1).

First, God often gives the very thing his children ask at the very time they ask it.

You remember Hannah (1 Sam 1:1): she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed, and wept sore. “Give unto Thy handmaid a man-child.” This was her request. And so she went in peace, and the God of Israel heard and granted her petition that she asked of him; and she called the child’s name Samuel, that is, “Asked of God.” Oh that you could write the same name upon all your gifts! You would have more joy in them, and far greater blessings along with them.

You remember David, in Ps. 138: “In the day that I cried Thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.” You remember Elijah, 1 Kings 17:21: “O Lord my God! I pray Thee let this child’s soul come into him again. And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah, and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.” You remember Daniel, 9:20, 21: “While I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin, and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God; yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.” Oh what encouragement is here for those among you who, like Daniel, are greatly beloved,—who study much in the books of God’s word, and who set your face unto the Lord to seek by prayer gifts for the church of God! Expect answers while you are speaking in prayer. Sometimes the vapours that ascend in the morning come down in copious showers in the evening. So may it be with your prayers. Take up the words of David, Psalm 5:3: “My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up.”

Oh, what surprises of goodness and grace God has in store for you and me, if only we would pray without ceasing!

Second, God often delays the answer to prayer for wise reasons.

The case of the Syrophenician woman will occur to you all, Matt. 15:21–28. How anxiously she cried, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Thou son of David! But Jesus answered her not a word.” Again and again she prayed, and got no gracious answer. Her faith grows stronger by every refusal. She cried, she followed, she kneeled to Him, till Jesus could refuse no longer. “O woman, great is thy faith! Be it unto thee even as thou wilt.” Dear praying people, “continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgivings.” Do not be silenced by one refusal. Jesus invites importunity by delaying to answer. Ask, seek, knock. “The promise may be long delayed, but cannot come too late.”

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