SECRET PRAYER

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 26, 1868

There is, perhaps, no better test of the religious state of the individual than the frequency and delight with which he engages in secret prayer. If we have a dear and confiding earthly friend, our communion with him is sweet, and we seek his society often. We do this the more proportionally as our attachment to them is increased. Our relations to God are regulated by the same law as to our friends. The true child of God will be on terms of the greatest intimacy with his Heavenly Father, and will ever delight to seek counsel and direction of him, while he who has never been adopted into his family shuns his presence.

Secret prayer is not only a test of Christian character, but it is also an effectual means of grace. To continue the figure which we have already introduced, frequent intercourse is often conducive to strong and lasting friendship. It is a common remark, “One only need become acquainted with that man in order to love him.” This is emphatically true of Christ. The closet is one of the best of places in which to become acquainted with him, and have our attachment to him strengthened. It will be well for us if we are often found there. We should enter it not only to pour out the secrets of our hearts, but burdened for the welfare of souls, remembering that “the fervent, effectual prayer of the righteous man availeth much.”

Were there more earnest wrestling with God in secret we should witness corresponding results. There would be greater attachment to Christ, a higher type of piety, more earnest and extensive Christian efforts and a larger ingathering of souls into the Redeemer’s fold. Let none forget the injunction, “Enter into thy closet.”—Morning Star.