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Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing
development and perfection of Christian character by exercising their
faculties in good works, will, in the world to come, reap that which they
have sown. The work begun upon earth will reach its consummation
in that higher and holier life to endure throughout eternity.
“When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites
are.”—Matthew 6:5.
The Pharisees had stated hours for prayer; and when, as often
came to pass, they were abroad at the appointed time, they would
pause wherever they might be—perhaps in the street or the market
place, amid the hurrying throngs of men—and there in a loud voice
rehearse their formal prayers. Such worship, offered merely for self-
glorification, called forth unsparing rebuke from Jesus. He did not,
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however, discountenance public prayer, for He Himself prayed with
His disciples and in the presence of the multitude. But He teaches that
private prayer is not to be made public. In secret devotion our prayers
are to reach the ears of none but the prayer-hearing God. No curious
ear is to receive the burden of such petitions.
“When thou prayest, enter into thy closet.” Have a place for secret
prayer. Jesus had select places for communion with God, and so should
we. We need often to retire to some spot, however humble, where we
can be alone with God.
“Pray to thy Father which is in secret.” In the name of Jesus we
may come into God’s presence with the confidence of a child. No man
is needed to act as a mediator. Through Jesus we may open our hearts
to God as to one who knows and loves us.
In the secret place of prayer, where no eye but God’s can see, no
ear but His can hear, we may pour out our most hidden desires and
longings to the Father of infinite pity, and in the hush and silence of
the soul that voice which never fails to answer the cry of human need
will speak to our hearts.
“The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”
James 5:11
. He
waits with unwearied love to hear the confessions of the wayward and
to accept their penitence. He watches for some return of gratitude from
us, as the mother watches for the smile of recognition from her beloved
child. He would have us understand how earnestly and tenderly His
heart yearns over us. He invites us to take our trials to His sympathy,