and earnest.
Let no one claim they lack a convenient place for privacy to engage in prayer. Isaac went into the field to pray, and the Psalmist found solitude with God on the corner of the house-top. If you cannot find complete privacy, perform your prayers nonetheless. The fault lies in praying with ostentation, not in praying under unavoidable observation. I remember, when I was a young man travelling to London by stagecoach during King James' reign, there was a gentleman in the company who was unashamed to admit that he was a Jesuit. We had many debates during the journey, and one centred on this: he praised the practice in Catholic countries of keeping church doors always open so people could enter at any time to say their prayers. I replied that this custom was too similar to the behaviour of the Pharisees, who prayed in the synagogues, and it did not align with Christ's instruction: Thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet and shut thy door. Pressed with this argument, he replied vehemently, I believe you Protestants pray nowhere. For, he said, I have travelled extensively in coaches with Protestants, stayed in inns sharing rooms with them, and watched them carefully, yet I have never observed a single one say their prayers morning or evening, except for one man—and he was a Presbyterian. I hope there was more malice than truth in what he said, but I mention it as a reminder that even if we cannot always be as private as we wish in our devotions, we must not omit them. Neglecting prayer may not only be a sin, but it could also cause scandal.
2. Make your secret worship intentional and earnest.
Do not be slothful in this duty, but be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Be careful that your devotions do not become mere routine or
formalities, where you go through the motions without engaging your heart. Approach the duty solemnly and sincerely. Be truly intimate with God in your prayers. It is not enough to simply say your prayers; you must pray your prayers. You must pray as Elijah did, who prayed earnestly (James 5:17).
Let us learn to labour diligently in prayer, as Epaphras did, who laboured fervently in prayers (Colossians 4:12). We will find that it is the hand of the diligent in this duty that brings spiritual riches. God does not measure the worth of your prayers by their length, nor will you be heard for much speaking or eloquence. What God requires is truth in the inward parts, and it is the prayer of the upright that delights Him.
When you have prayed, consider yourselves committed and encouraged to both serve God and trust in Him. Let the comfort and benefits of your morning devotions not be like the morning cloud that passes away, but like the morning light that shines brighter and brighter.
The Second Discourse:
Showing How to Spend Every Day With
God
"On thee do I wait all the day." – Psalm 25:5