Rule iii. Prayer and supplications are continually to be made on his behalf for assistance and success in the work committed to him.

Eph. vi. 18–20, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador.”

2 Thess. iii. 1, 2, “Brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified; and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men;” 1 Thess. v. 25.

Col. iv. 3, “Pray also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ;” Heb. xiii. 18.

Acts xii. 5, “Prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him;” Heb. xiii. 7.

Explication iii. The greatness of the work (for which who is sufficient? 2 Cor. ii. 16); — the strength of the opposition which lies against it, 1 Cor. xvi. 9; Rev. xii. 12; 2 Tim. iv. 3–5; — the concernment of men’s souls therein, Acts xx. 26–28; Heb. xiii. 7; 1 Tim. iv. 16; — the conviction which is to be brought upon the world thereby, Ezek. ii. 5; 1 Cor. i. 23, 24; 2 Cor. iii. 15, 16; — its aim and tendency to the glory of God in Christ, — call aloud for the most effectual daily concurrence of the saints in their supplications for their supportment. That these are to be for assistance, encouragement, abilities, success, deliverance, and protection, is proved in the rule As their temptations are multiplied, so ought prayers in their behalf. They have many curses of men against them, Jer. xv. 10; — it is hoped that God hears some prayers for them. When many are not ashamed to revile them in public, some ought to be ashamed not to remember them in private. Motives:—

1. The word will doubtless be effectual, when ability for its administration is a return of prayers, Acts x. 1–6.

2. The minister’s failing is the people’s punishment, Amos viii. 11, 12; Isa. xxx. 20.

3. His prayers are continually for the church, Isa. lxii. 6, 7; Rom. i. 9, etc.

4. That for which he stands in so much need of prayers is the saints’ good, and not peculiarly his own. Help him who carries the burden, Eph. vi. 18–20; Phil. ii. 17; Col. i. 24.