If you have followed my blog for even a short period, the main focus is pretty obvious. No, cats in funny costumes aren’t in play here. It’s prayer, specifically private prayer. The same goes for my two books–no cats, but a lot about prayer. Okay, I’ll move one.
There is a tendency for some to conclude that if a person writes a lot about one subject that he or she is an expert on that subject. Sorry to disappoint you, but that is not necessarily true. I am not the spiritual giant the title of this blog is referring to. I’m not a super-duper prayer guru. I don’t have some esoteric key to prayer. I am not one of those so-called sages who claims to grasp the mysteries and depths of communion with the Almighty. Nope. I am a saint by the blood of Jesus Christ who seeks to know God intimately, commune with Him privately, and seek His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Since He has invited us to do this, that is, to get away from everything and be alone with Him in secret, holy communion, then why wouldn’t I grab my Bible and find a place of solitude? Really, why wouldn’t I? Why wouldn’t you?
I do write a lot about prayer because it is one of my favorite subjects. Another reason is because I have grown closer to God through the exercise of prayer, and I want others to discover the treasures of private prayer with the Holy Trinity. An un-footnoted-footnote (I’m pretty sure I just invented that noun. Should I try to copy-write that phrase?) is that there are many other reasons why I LOVE sharing what I learn about prayer. We all love sharing what we’re most passionate about. Besides homemade cookies, I’m passionate about prayer, especially private prayer. We have a personal invite from Jesus to one-on-one communion with God (Matthew 6:6). I’m going for it.
My favorite teacher on this subject is the puritan pastor, Thomas Brooks. He is a spiritual giant. His writings on private prayer have been manna from heaven to me. I want to share this manna with you. So, beginning with this post I’m starting a series of posts from his writing: “The Privy Key of Heaven; or, A Discourse of Closet Prayer.” This writing is found in Vol.2 of “The Complete Works of Thomas Brooks.” It was first published in 1866. I cannot understate the richness of his insight into private prayer. He not only teaches, he motivates, and he brings conviction. He’s doing all of this while exalting God and humbling the reader. Oh, be prepared to be humbled. And be ready to grow. Really, be prepared.
I’ll post quotes and sections from his writing that have grabbed my heart. You can drink them in, or as Jason Duff, pastor of The Garden Fellowship in Bermuda Dunes, California, exhorts, “Think it through and pray it in.” Let the teachings of this spiritual giant guide you in the Scriptures and in wisdom to the heart of God.
I’ll end this post with Pastor Brooks’ introductory words to his readers:
“The power of religion and godliness lives, thrives, or dies, as closet prayer lives, thrives, or dies. Godliness never rises to a higher pitch than when men keep closest to their closets, …”
Definitely think that through and pray it in.
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