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Secret Prayer

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 17, 1870

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 35, No. 22.

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Secret Prayer.

By Henry W. Pierce

WHAT a privilege for the child of God when he feels himself burdened with the cares and perplexities of this life, or with a sense of his own misdeeds, or the buffeting of the enemy, to know that he has a never-failing friend that he can go to and pour out his soul in prayer, when none but he that seeth in secret can hear. Oh! how sweet it is to approach unto him that knows our wants, and is ready to help us; his arms are ever opened to receive us, and with ears of compassion he listens to our petitions. How every child of God should prize this privilege, and yet how apt we are to forget it. How many times the hour passes and we are not found in communion with God, we do not receive the strength that it is our privilege and duty to receive from the fountain of all blessings. When I think of my unfaithfulness in drawing near to God in prayer, it makes me tremble.
We should never let these precious seasons of secret devotion give place to the things of this world. I know that this is too much the case with me. I get to work, and think I will attend to prayer in a few minutes but I must first get this or that job of work done. Then a little of something else, and so time passes, until holy angels are grieved. Their sweet influence is gone. Then how bitter the reproach! Left by heavenly angels; forsaken by my only Comforter; under the influence of the powers of darkness; with no bright ray to cheer my heart. But thanks be to my blessed Saviour, there is a way of escape from the power of the great adversary. A fountain is opened where I can wash and be clean. I flee to the outstretched arms of Jesus, and by earnest, prevailing prayer, break through the darkness; the clouds are scattered; Jesus accepts and pardons. Then I can again enjoy the company of holy angels; feel their sweet influence; take new courage, knowing that the Lord is caring for me; and if the Lord is for me, he is more than all that can be against me. Oh! may I strive from this time forward to be more faithful. I will try. O Lord, help me. Let not the enemy crowd the things of this world into my mind, and cause me to forget thee.
HENRY W. PIERCE.
New Haven, N. Y., Feb. 6, 1870.