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The Secret of Prayer

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California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists · Oakland, Cal. · Feb 25, 1875

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 1, No. 16.

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The Secret of Prayer.

By A. P. Lawton

No one can have any just claim to being a Christian who does not practice secret prayer. Many may, and probably do, practice what is termed secret prayer, who are not Christians; not because they love it, or feel their need, but to ease their conscience. The secret of prayer is to feel our need, our lost condition without help; to break our hearts before Him who has said by the psalmist, "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
We are to claim the merits of Him alone through whom we may have access to the Father. "Come, now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; and though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." He loves to have us believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.
If we do not get an answer to our prayer at once, leave it on the altar. Perhaps there is something in the way—confessions to make, broken vows to be performed, or a brother to be reconciled. It may be neither of the above. God may be testing us. Sometimes we have need of patience after we have done the will of God, that we may receive the promise.
Do not be content, dear reader, in simply saying your prayers. Does God hear the ravens when they cry? and will he not hear us whom he has made in his own image? It is cheering to know that the great and terrible One, who holds our destiny in his hands, will condescend to hear us notwithstanding our errors, wanderings, and unbelief. This is not human, but like God. The poor sinner who has opened the door of his heart, and bidden Jesus an unreserved welcome, has become heir to an incorruptible crown; heir with Jesus, the Son of God. What honor that we may be called the sons of God. May we, dear reader, be of the happy number who love to pray, and who will finally enter into the city of God.
A. P. LAWTON.