The Second Rule

The Second Rule.

Let all the matters that would hinder family prayer be put far from our tabernacles. There are diverse impediments of our family prayers, which we are to be cautioned against. As now, let not family jars hinder family prayers. The Apostle says to them that are in a conjugal relation, that they should be meek, tender, loving; for this cause in (1 Peter 3:7), that your prayers be not hindered. If peace be gone from a family, then prayer is gone. How can scolding, and it may be striking too, agree with praying, in which we are to lift up pure hands, without wrath? Again, let not family scabs hinder family prayers. Bad members in a family often cause that there are no prayers in it. Many men will not pray, because others will scoff and flout. But let your houses have no such inmates, no such Ishmaels in them. It is recorded of Elisha, in (2 Kings 4:33), he would not have a servant with him, which he could not pray withal. If any profane, graceless despisers of prayer would impose themselves upon us, let us then say to them, Depart you workers of iniquity, for I will call upon the Lord. Once more,

Let not family prayers be hindered by unsuitable times. The earlier we dispatch them, the easier. We should not ordinarily let business roil us in the morning, nor drowsiness drown us in the evening, before family prayer be over. As to every purpose, thus to every prayer there is a time and judgment; and a wise man's heart will discern it.