Blast Of Silence

‘Tis only violence and intenseness of spirit in prayer that has the promise of mercy affixed to it, Matt vii. 7. ‘Knock, and it shall be opened.’ Knocking is a violent motion. The Aediles among the Romans had their doors always standing open, so that all who had petitions might have free access to them. God’s heart is ever open to fervent prayer. Let us then be fired with zeal, and with Christ pray yet more earnestly. ‘Tis violence in prayer that makes Heaven-gates fly open, and fetcheth in whatever mercies we stand in need of.