Secret Prayer: The Test of the Solitary Soul

And when thou prayest—nine things pertain to the knowledge of true prayer: I. To know what prayer is. II. How many sorts of prayer there be. III. The necessity of prayer. Four things provoke us to pray: 1. God's commandment. 2. Sin in us. 3. Our weak nature. 4. Subtlety of the enemy. IV. To whom we ought to pray. V. By whom we should pray. VI. Where to pray. VII. What to pray. VIII. The excellence of prayer. IX. What we must do that our prayers may be heard.

Secret prayer reveals what a man is when alone with God. The Pharisees presented their supplications in improper places, with sinful objects, producing worthless results. Christ commands the opposite method: engage in hallowed work within your chamber—an exclusion of company and withdrawal from secular affairs.

Observe the personal words, so endearing: Adonai (Father, master) likes to hear everything and never refuses a secret. Your private devotion requires you separate yourself from all outer things and approach with Fatherly views of Elohim (God). Private prayer possesses vital connection with your public usefulness. Consider five engagements to this important duty: 1. The Divine command. 2. The example furnished in sacred writings. 3. The necessity of secret prayer. 4. The advantages of private devotion. 5. The vital connection with public usefulness. Thus the closet becomes the testing ground where faith is forged in solitude.