“The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall
never go out.” - Leviticus 6:13
Keep the altar of private prayer burning. This is the very
life of all piety. The sanctuary and family altars borrow their fires here,
therefore let this burn well. Secret devotion is the very essence, evidence,
and barometer, of vital and experimental religion.
Burn here the fat of your sacrifices. Let your closet
seasons be, if possible, regular, frequent, and undisturbed. Effectual prayer
availeth much. Have you nothing to pray for? Let us suggest the Church, the
ministry, your own soul, your children, your relations, your neighbours, your
country, and the cause of God and truth throughout the world. Let us examine
ourselves on this important matter. Do we engage with lukewarmness in private
devotion? Is the fire of devotion burning dimly in our hearts? Do the chariot
wheels drag heavily? If so, let us be alarmed at this sign of decay. Let us go
with weeping, and ask for the Spirit of grace and of supplications. Let us set
apart special seasons for extraordinary prayer. For if this fire should be
smothered beneath the ashes of a worldly conformity, it will dim the fire on
the family altar, and lessen our influence both in the Church and in the world.
The text will also apply to the altar of the heart. This is
a golden altar indeed. God loves to see the hearts of his people glowing
towards himself. Let us give to God our hearts, all blazing with love, and seek
his grace, that the fire may never be quenched; for it will not burn if the
Lord does not keep it burning. Many foes will attempt to extinguish it; but if
the unseen hand behind the wall pour thereon the sacred oil, it will blaze
higher and higher. Let us use texts of Scripture as fuel for our heart’s fire,
they are live coals; let us attend sermons, but above all, let us be much alone
with Jesus.
- Charles Spurgeon's Morning Meditation, July 15th
~Brittany
Wow. Very convicting. Prayer is so essential, and often overlooked. The Lord has really been teaching me a lot about the need for secret prayer, and I can say that by the grace of God, my prayer is being so refreshing and beneficial! And, I'm rejoicing, seeing God working in answering some of my prayers!
ReplyDeleteI'd be interesting in discussing prayer with you, when we e-mail, as it has been on my mind a lot lately :)
His servant,
Bethany