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I. WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF TRUE PROSPERITY TO SUCH A COMMUNITY AS THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH? First, "righteousness"; the great generic principle of righteousness living in the heart, rising up to its ascendancy in the heart, and working itself out in the life: "righteousness and true holiness," as the idea is amplified and illustrated. Second, "peace"; holy tranquillity, "the peace of God which passeth all understanding, and keepeth the heart and mind through Jesus Christ"; "peace" in the Christian, and "peace," too, among Christians. And, third, "joy in the Holy Ghost"; "joy " produced by "the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto us," and by the hope of glory.

II. FROM WHOM DOES PROSPERITY COME TO THE CHURCH? The work is as really God's, as is the production of the animal life which pulsates in our bodily frame; and so is all that belongs to the preservation of the spiritual life, and to its progress up to perfection. Is it nourished? He nourishes it. Is it revived? He revives it. Is it developed and exercised in holy and useful activity? He draws it out, and guides and sustains it (Jeremiah 33:4-9; Hosea 14:5-8).

III. WHAT IS REQUIRED ON THE PART OF THE CHURCH IN ORDER TO THE ATTAINMENT OF PROSPERITY?

1. Prayer is required of us for this purpose. The psalmist knew this: nay, more, he felt the knowledge to he so working at his heart, as to bring warm from his lips the words that lie before us, "Save now," etc.

2. With our prayers we must combine activity.

3. Another thing necessary to the success of social prayer is pervasive unity of purpose, giving rise to unity of desire.

(D. Young, D.D.)

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KJV: Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

WEB: Save us now, we beg you, Yahweh! Yahweh, we beg you, send prosperity now.