The Secret Key to Heaven: The Vital Importance of Private Prayer (Thomas Brooks)

Description

'The power of religion and godliness lives, thrives, or dies, as closet prayer lives, thrives, or dies.' This was the deeply held conviction of Thomas Brooks. As a pastor who knew his people well, he feared that many Christians did not understand the 'necessity, excellence, and usefulness' of private prayer, and that many lived in 'too great a neglect of this indispensable duty.'

Focusing on our Lord's words about 'closet prayer' in Matthew 6:6, Brooks supplies us with a masterful treatment of a vitally important aspect of the Christian's life. His aim is intensely practical: 'to preserve and keep up the power of religion and godliness both in men's houses, hearts, and lives.'

Table of Contents

Publisher's Note xi

Author's Preface xiii

PART ONE

The Doctrine of the Text (Matt. 6:6) Stated and Proved 1

PART TWO

Twenty Arguments for Private Prayer

1: The Most Eminent Saints Engaged in Private Prayer 7

2: Christ Engaged in Secret Prayer 13

3: Secret Prayer Distinguishes Sincerity from Hypocrisy 18

4: Secret Prayer Lets Us Unbosom Ourselves before God 20

5: Secret Duties Shall Have Open Rewards 23

6: God Most Manifests Himself in Secret 24

7: This Life Is the Only Time for Private Prayer 31

8: Private Prayer's Prevailing Power 31

9: Private Prayer Is the Most Soul-Enriching of Duties 44

10: Secret Prayer and Secret Sins 46

11: Secret Prayer Delights Christ 47

12: Only Believers Share God's Secrets 48

13: Private Prayer Is the Christian's Refuge in Trouble 58

14: God Is Omnipresent 61

15: If We Neglect Private Prayer, God Will Not Hear Our Public Prayers 64

16: The Times Call for Private Prayer 66

17: Those Near to the Lord Should Engage in Secret Prayer 68

18: Special Marks of God's Favor 71

19: Satan's Enmity to Secret Prayer 72

20: The Lord's Secret Ones Should Engage in Secret Prayer 75

PART THREE

The Use and Application of the Doctrine

The Doctrine Condemns Five Ways in Which Private Prayer Is Neglected 79

The Doctrine Exhorts Us to Be Frequent and Constant in Private Prayer 85

PART FOUR

Six Objections Stated and Answered

1: We Are Too Busy to Spare Time for Private Prayer 87

2: As Servants, We Have No Time That We Can Call Our Own 104

3: We Lack the Necessary Gifts and Abilities for Private Prayer 127

4: God Knows Our Desires and Needs Whether We Pray in Private or Not 156

5: We Lack a Convenient Place for Private Prayer 159

6: Our Weaknesses and Infirmities Hinder Us from Private Prayer 161

PART FIVE

Eleven Instructions concerning Private Prayer

1: Be Frequent in Private Prayer 183

2: Use the Best Times and Opportunities 188

3: Do Not Perform Closet Duties Merely to Still Your Conscience 191

4: Do Not Trust in Closet Duties 193

5: Put Your Heart into All Closet Duties 197

6: Be Fervent, Warm, and Importunate with God in All Closet Duties 201

7: Be Constant and Persevering in Closet Prayer 208

8: Thirst and Long after Communion with God in Private Prayer 212

9: Make the Glory of God Your Ultimate End 233

10: Always Pray in the Name of Christ Alone 235

11: Look for Answers to Your Closet Prayers 239

PART SIX

Means, Rules, and Directions for Faithful Private Prayer

1: Beware of an Idle, Slothful Spirit 243

2: Beware of Spending Precious Time on Small, Circumstantial Matters 248

3: Beware of Curious Questions 249

4: Beware of Engaging in Too Much Worldly Business 254

5: Beware of Secret Sins 256

Closing Advice

1: Mourn over Neglect of Private Prayer 273

2: Cultivate the Habit of Closet Prayer 274

3: Keep a Diary of Closet Mercies 274

4: Do Not Let Public Duties and Ordinances Crowd Out Private Prayer 277

5: Love Christ with a More Inflamed Love 278

6: Be Thoroughly Resolved in the Strength of Christ to Persevere in Closet Prayer 280

7: Strive for a Greater Measure of the Spirit 282

8: Be Frequent in the Serious Consideration of Eternity 284

Product Details

Title: The Secret Key to Heaven: The Vital Importance of Private Prayer

Author: Thomas Brooks

Publisher: Banner of Truth

Pages: 304

Binding: Paperback

Size: 18.1 x 12.0 x 1.8 cm

ISBN: 9781848719996