The Value of Secret Prayer
John Hames emphasizes the critical importance of secret prayer in maintaining a vibrant spiritual life and resisting worldly distractions.
John Hames emphasizes the importance of secret prayer in the Christian life, highlighting how Satan fiercely opposes this phase of devotion and uses various methods to hinder believers from engaging in secret prayer, such as worldly distractions and cares. He compares secret prayer to fertilizer and showers for a Christian's life, essential for spiritual growth and vitality. Hames stresses that maintaining a consistent secret prayer life prevents backsliding, fosters spiritual growth, and deepens intimacy with God, ensuring that every grace of the Spirit flourishes in the believer's soul.
Text
"That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day." (Dan. 6:13)
There is no phase of devotion more rudely opposed by the devil than secret prayer. No doubt when we get to eternity and behold the things unseen, we will discover Satan and his rebel host spent more time striving to prevent the children of God from praying in secret than at anything else in earth or hell.
It is astonishing the various methods Satan uses to destroy our relish for secret devotion. Some of them are as follows: Sending us an undue amount of company; stirring us up to go traveling and "globe trotting;" overtaxing us with fine homes, fine furniture, and worldly cares. We know not of a more destructive instrument to secret prayer and a heavenly mind than an automobile. It may be alright in its place; however, there is something tremendously infatuating about it that swallows people up soul and body, so to speak.
Reader, if you desire a good experience and a close walk with God you must not neglect the secret prayer life. What fertilizer and showers are to vegetation, secret prayer is to the Christian's life. How soon the flowers fade and droop their heads when the dew and showers are withheld; just so does the soul when the showers of secret prayer and meditation are withheld.
No one will ever backslide while he keeps up the secret prayer life. Satan can endure an abundance of sweet singing, fine sermons and nice testimonies, but volley after volley of secret prayer will rout him every time. Secret prayer prevents spiritual stagnation, keeps the soul tender and passive, develops faith and confidence in God, helps to surmount difficulties, brings us into better acquaintance with God and keeps every grace of the Spirit flourishing in our souls.
Dear convert, if you would be successful in the divine life, never allow business, company or worldly cares to destroy your relish for secret devotion, for when it is once gone it will require no small amount of prayer and fasting to regain it.
Hundreds of church members are void of the spirit of prayer today because they misused and abused it in the earlier part of their religious experience.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The opposition of secret prayer by the devil
- The importance of recognizing spiritual warfare
- The unseen struggle against prayer
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II
- Methods Satan uses to hinder secret prayer
- Distractions from worldly cares and possessions
- The impact of modern conveniences on spiritual life
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III
- The necessity of secret prayer for spiritual growth
- Comparison of prayer to nourishment for the soul
- The role of prayer in maintaining a vibrant faith
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IV
- The consequences of neglecting secret prayer
- The relationship between prayer and spiritual vitality
- The importance of consistency in prayer life
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V
- Encouragement for new converts
- The dangers of losing the spirit of prayer
- The need for diligence in maintaining a prayer life
Key Quotes
“No one will ever backslide while he keeps up the secret prayer life.” — John Hames
“Secret prayer prevents spiritual stagnation, keeps the soul tender and passive.” — John Hames
“When it is once gone it will require no small amount of prayer and fasting to regain it.” — John Hames
Application Points
- Set aside dedicated time each day for secret prayer to strengthen your relationship with God.
- Be mindful of distractions that can hinder your prayer life and take steps to minimize them.
- Encourage others, especially new believers, to prioritize their secret prayer life for spiritual success.