If you are just jumping into this blog series, I’ve been pulling gems from my favorite book on prayer. It is by the puritan pastor, Thomas Brooks. Below is another reason and motive for a believer to escape to the proverbial prayer closet.
… in times of great straits and trials, in times of great afflictions and persecutions, private prayer is the Christian’s meat and drink; it is his chief city of refuge; it is his shelter and hiding-place in a stormy day. When the saints have been driven by violent persecutions into holes, and caves, and dens, and deserts, and howling wildernesses, private prayer hath been their meat and drink, and under Christ their only refuge. When Esau came forth with hostile intentions against Jacob, secret prayer was Jacob’s refuge: Gen. 32:6–9, 11
Living in America, we don’t face the persecution that many our brothers and sisters face in other countries. These we should be praying for and supporting (I recommend looking into ministries such as The Voice of the Martyrs). Yet though our lives may not be threatened, we still go through times of trails and affliction. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement (AKA ICE) is unable to keep the evil one and his demons outside the borders of our country, or our lives. We need to abide in and walk with the Great One–the Almighty One, who is our Savior, Shepherd, and Comforter. I don’t know about you, but I am NOT going to stray away from abiding under the wing of the Almighty.
________________________
Brooks, T. (1866). The Complete Works of Thomas Brooks. (A. B. Grosart, Ed.) (Vol. 2, p. 190). Edinburgh; London; Dublin: James Nichol; James Nisbet and Co.; G. Herbert.
Leave a Reply