ESSAY ON SECRET PRAYER

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 23, 1857

ESSAY ON SECRET PRAYER.

(Continued.)

The proper performance of closet duties prepares and disposes the mind for a profitable attendance on all other means of grace.

Experience affords proof of this position. The more we improve the privilege of secret intercourse with God, the more sweet to our taste is his word; the more we are instructed, edified and comforted by the public ministry of the gospel; and the more profit and comfort do we derive from Christian ordinances. It was remarked by an eminent minister of Christ above a century ago, "If Christians were more in their closets with God, their own souls would thrive better, and things would succeed better abroad. Mr. B. (he adds) being silenced from public work, desired his hearers to spend that time they were wont to come to his lecture in, in serious prayer and meditation in their closets, and their souls would be gainers by that providence." The same old-fashioned divine observes, "Many sermons are lost, for want of souls taking them home to their closets, and turning them into prayer."

The advantage of access to God in secret, is very sensibly felt in affliction and adversity.

We find a degree of relief in opening the mind to a friend in the day of trouble; though our friend can afford us no help but that of sympathy. How much more in opening our hearts to him who is "a friend that sticketh closer than a brother!" "In my distress (saith David) I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me out of all my troubles." What relief and strong consolation did Hezekiah find, by an application to his God! He not only obtained the addition of fifteen years to his life, but his soul was made joyful in the Lord. "Behold for peace, (said he,) I had great bitterness, but thou in love to my soul delivered me from the pit of corruption; for thou hast cast all my sins behind my back." The Lord is a refuge for us; a refuge in the day of trouble. And he that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide, or lodge under the shadow of the Almighty. He may say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in him will I trust.

Of all the creatures in this world, man alone is capable of religion, and communion with God: and in him a pious man finds every thing that is essential to his happiness, and enjoys rest amidst all the storms of life. The Lord gives him strength according to his day and his trials; he inspires the man who "gives himself unto prayer," with firmness and fortitude, resignation and patience: he enables him to glory in tribulation, and having tried him, at length brings him forth like gold.

Let us then practically attend to the advice of the Apostle. Phil. iv, 6, 7. "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God," and we shall assuredly find that "the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep our heart and mind, through Christ Jesus."

How far the Lord, who holds the reins of government in his own hands, will answer our prayers and fulfill our desires in temporal things, we cannot say; but there is ground of confidence, that if we "commit our way unto him," he will so adjust, arrange, direct, and over-rule all events, as shall be most for his glory and our good. "We know, (saith the Apostle,) that all things work together for good, to them that love God." The man who uniformly, and seriously, and in faith, lays his concerns before God in secret, shall most certainly, because "the scriptures cannot be broken," experience the truth of that declaration; a declaration which has often been like a sheet anchor to Christians when, tossed with tempest, they have been at their wit's end. How consolatory the persuasion—I have an interest in the master of the storm! In this fluctuating and disordered world, what a comfort it is to have such security and such confidence!

It is desirable to be USEFUL to others, as well as happy in ourselves. And the secret prayers of the faithful, the effectual, fervent prayers of the righteous, avail much with God. Many who are regarded as pious, yet comparatively useless, as members of society, are, by their intercessions, known to God and themselves only, procuring blessings for their families, relations, and connections; for the church, the nation, and the world. The effect of their prayers is but little known, and therefore lightly esteemed. As the dew silently, and almost imperceptibly distils during the night, and cools, refreshes and fertilizes the earth; so the influence and effects of prayer generally elude the observation of man; but are known unto God, and in due time, at the great day, if not before, he will reward his praying people openly. Then it will appear to assembled worlds how much good has been done, and how much evil averted, by the prayers of the faithful. Great indeed are the advantages which arise from an acceptable performance of the duty of secret prayer. We may say of it, as of religion in general, "It is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."

We may urge, as a farther motive, the ABSOLUTE NECESSITY of secret prayer.

If this be neglected, in vain, or almost in vain, shall we attend to public worship. Sermons, sabbaths, sacraments, &c., will be of little use. The soul will be barren amidst such a variety of means of fruitfulness, and will pine for want of bread in the midst of plenty. Matters of fact often prove this. Nothing will serve as a substitute for the duties of the closet. Prayer is not more essential to religion than secret prayer, if we have time and opportunity for it, to a lively, vigorous, growing state of religion; nay, to the preservation of the spirit of piety. Many unhappy fallen professors have awfully confirmed the truth of the saying of Phillip Henry.

"Apostasy generally begins at the closet door—secret prayer is first neglected, and carelessly performed; then frequently omitted; and after a while wholly laid aside: then farewell God, and Christ, and religion."

On the other hand, many who in the order of Providence have been deprived of all public ordinances, and all social intercourse with their brethren in Christ, have by the exercise of prayer and other private duties, not only retained the spirit of piety, but also increased in the power of religion. This remark is not designed to set up one means of grace to the disparagement of others; or in any degree to countenance such as voluntarily absent themselves from public worship, and from the private assemblies of those with whom they are professionally united in Christian fellowship. Indeed if we attend to the duty of secret prayer aright, we shall be glad when our brethren say let us go up to the house of the Lord; and shall be prepared for an acceptable and profitable attendance on every means of grace. And should divine providence at any time deprive us of other religious advantages, we shall find the improvement of our liberty of access to God in private sufficient.

If it be the indispensable duty of every Christian to pray in secret; if it be an inestimable privilege, and if it be absolutely necessary—then it behooves every one to inquire, What are the PRINCIPAL HINDRANCES to the performance of it?

Many, alas, disregard religion altogether. They see no need of prayer; and perhaps contemptuously smile at the idea of secret prayer: and if they saw a humble, pious Christian on his knees in some retired place, would despise him. These we leave at present; praying that God may give them to see their error and sin and danger. They will not always smile. They cannot persuade themselves that there is no God. And if there be a God, the Creator of all things and judge of all men, they are not low, mean, groveling souls who live in communion with him by prayer and other devout exercises, but

those who are practically living "without God in the world."

(To be Continued.)