the Joy of Communion with God
There is great eagerness in the psalmist's prayerfulness. He calls with his whole heart; he awakes before the dawn and continues long after the fall of night; he asks that his case may be considered, his cause pleaded, and his soul quickened. When we draw near to God in prayer, our prayers must not be vague or languid. Jeremy Taylor says: “Easiness of desire is a great enemy to the success of a good man's prayer. It must be an intent, zealous, busy, operative prayer. For consider what a huge indecency it is that a man should speak to God for a thing that he values not. Our prayers upbraid our spirits when we beg tamely for those things for which we ought to die.” But when we pray after the manner of the psalmist, we become aware that God is near. Thou art nigh, O Jehovah, Psalms 119:151, r.v. This is the crowning moment in prayer, when we cease speaking and almost hold our breath, because we are suddenly aware of a presence, the dear and awful presence of our Lord.