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Secret Prayer

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Aug 25, 1904

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 81, No. 34.

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Secret Prayer

By F. A. ZAPPE

F. A. ZAPPE
“When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matt. 6: 5, 6. The preceding Scripture is some of the instruction concerning prayer, which our Saviour has given to his followers. This clearly points out the Christian’s duty and privilege in regard to prayer. Jesus gave this instruction, that the child of God might know how to seek the Father and commune with him and receive a blessing therefrom.
He did not try to teach his followers this lesson by words only, but by example. He knew that he could not walk alone apart from God. Many hours did he spend in secret prayer while on earth. Quite often he would remain alone with God, communing with him all night until the break of day, and then come forth refreshed and strengthened to minister to the needs of the multitudes that followed him, and to wrestle against the powers of darkness. By seeking the Father through secret prayer daily, Jesus was refreshed, strengthened, encouraged, and filled with new life and power in such a way that it would be possible for him to live a sinless life in sinful flesh. Jesus says, “I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done.”
Enoch walked with God. He learned the wondrous secret of abiding in the Lord. How did Enoch walk with God? “In the midst of a life of active labor, Enoch steadfastly maintained his communion with God. The greater and more pressing his labors, the more constant and earnest were his prayers. He continued to exclude himself, at certain periods, from all society. After remaining for a time among the people, laboring to benefit them by instruction and example, he would withdraw, to spend a season in solitude, hungering and thirsting for that divine knowledge which God alone can impart. Communing thus with God, Enoch came more and more to reflect the divine image. His face was radiant with a holy light,—even the light that shineth in the face of Jesus. As he came forth from these divine communings, even the ungodly beheld with awe the impress of heaven upon his countenance.”
Brethren and sisters, the only way for us to walk with God is to faithfully follow the example of Jesus and Enoch in having secret prayer daily. Secret prayer is the life of the soul. “The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to sin; and it is all because they do not make use of the privileges that God has given them in the divine appointment of prayer.”
“Family or public prayer alone is not sufficient. In solitude let the soul be laid open to the inspecting eye of God. Secret prayer is to be heard only by the prayer-hearing God. No curious ear is to receive the burden of such petitions. In secret prayer the soul is free from surrounding influences, free from excitement. Calmly, yet fervently will it reach out after God. Sweet and abiding will be the influence emanating from him who seeth in secret, whose ear is open to hear the prayer arising from the heart. By calm, simple faith, the soul holds communion with God, and gathers to itself rays of divine light to strengthen and sustain it in the conflict with Satan. God is our tower of strength.” “Pray in your closet; and as you go about your daily labor, let your heart be often uplifted to God. It was thus that Enoch walked with God. These silent prayers rise like precious incense before the throne of grace. Satan can not overcome him whose heart is thus stayed upon God.”