Doctrine and Devotion: A Reunion Devoutly To Be Desired by Donald S. Whitney - Donald S. Whitney
I contend that we should be more consciously theological in our spirituality, striving for clear, overt connections between our doctrine and our devotion. Certain forms of prayer should be rejected and others practiced, not merely because of church tradition or novelty or how they make us feel, but as a direct result of what we believe the Bible teaches. Otherwise our spirituality will be shaped primarily by the theology of others, namely those whose practices we adopt. And while their spiritual ways and methods may appeal to us, what if they are the fruit of heterodox or erroneous theology? The truth is, many of today's evangelical writers unwittingly usher us to these errors when they say that some of the best models and teachers of Christian spirituality are also the very ones who deny evangelical beliefs - More

Following His Model - Donald S. Whitney
"So I'm grateful for the disciple who asked, "Lord, teach us to pray," for he gave voice to a need experienced by Jesus' disciples of all times and places. From his question and Jesus' answer we can see more clearly that only those Christians who have been taught how to pray can pray effectively. But we can learn the content and spirit of true prayer from God's Word and God's Spirit." - More

Do You THirst For God - Donald S. Whitney
The Apostle Paul must have similarly impressed others in his day. Despite all his maturity in Christ, all he had seen and experienced, late in life (in Philippians 3:10) Paul wrote of the passion that propelled him: "that I may know Him." What is he talking about? Didn't he already know Jesus more closely than perhaps anyone else ever will? Of course he did. But the more he knew Jesus, the more he wanted to know Him. The more Paul progressed in spiritual strength, the more thirsty for God He became. With a similar thirst, the writer of Psalm 42:1-2 prayed, "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?" Does this describe your thirst for God? If so, be encouraged: whatever else is transpiring in your Christian life, your soul-thirst is a sign of soul-growth - More

Prayer: Degrees of Boldness - John Stevenson
It may be objected, 'I do not know if what I pray for is agreeable to the will of God; how, then, can I be importunate?' This is an important matter. - More

Christ is All in All - Jeremiah Burroughs
Truly, brethren, God has done more in bringing a poor soul to Himself than in creating heaven and earth. The work of creating heaven and earth is only a low piece of work in comparison to this wonderful way of conveying grace and mercy to the children of men through His Son. - More

The Way of Salvation: Prayer - Thomas Watson
It is one thing to pray, and another thing to be given to prayer: he who prays frequently, is said to be given to prayer; as he who often distributes alms, is said to be given to charity. - More

A Call to Prayer - J. C. Ryle
I have a question to offer you. It is contained in three words, Do you pray? The question is one that none but you can answer. Whether you attend public worship or not, your minister knows. Whether you have family prayers in your house or not, your relations know. But whether you pray in private or not, is a matter between yourself and God. - More

The Hidden Life of Prayer - Part VIII - David MacIntyre
If we do not expect to receive answers to our requests, our whole conception of prayer is at fault. "None ask in earnest," says Trail, "but they will try how they speed. There is no surer and plainer mark of trifling in prayer than when men are careless what they get by prayer." - More

The Hidden Life of Prayer - Part VII - David MacIntyre
This is the first reward of the secret place; through prayer our graces are quickened, and holiness is wrought in us. "Holiness," says Hewitson, "is a habit of mind-a setting of the Lord continually before one's eyes, a constant walking with God as one with whom we are agreed." - More

The Hidden Life of Prayer - Part VI - David MacIntyre
But it may be objected, If our Father knoweth what things we have need of before we ask Him, and if it is His good pleasure to give us the kingdom, is it necessary that we should present our petitions deliberately before Him? - More

The Hidden Life of Prayer - Part V - David MacIntyre
Confession of sin is the first act of an awakened sinner, the first mark of a gracious spirit. When God desires an habitation in which to dwell, He prepares "a broken and a contrite heart." - More

The Hidden Life of Prayer - Part IV - David MacIntyre
Similarly, the tribute of praise which the saints are instructed to render to the Lord may arise either (a) in the acknowledgment of daily mercies, or (b) in thanks-giving for the great redemption, or (c) in contemplation of the Divine perfection. - More

The Hidden Life of Prayer - Part III - David MacIntyre
In the first place, it is necessary that we should realize the presence of God.23 He who fills earth and heaven "is," in a singular and impressive sense, in the secret place. - More

The Hidden Life of Prayer - Part II - David MacIntyre
Remember that in the Levitical Law there is a frequent commemoration and charge given of the two daily sacrifices, the one to be offered up in the morning and the other in the evening. These offerings by incense our holy, harmless, and undefiled High Priest hath taken away, and instead of them every devout Christian is at the appointed times to offer up a spiritual sacrifice, namely, that of prayer. - More

The Hidden Life of Prayer - Part I - David MacIntyre
Our Lord takes it for granted that His people will pray. And indeed in Scripture generally the outward obligation of prayer is implied rather than asserted. - More

Reading the Bible - John Newton
The Bible is the fountain from whence every stream that deserves our notice is drawn; and, though we may occasionally pay some attention to the streams - we have personally an equal right with others to apply immediately to the fountain-head, and draw the water of life for ourselves. - More

Prayer - Arthur W. Pink
By the words "believe that ye receive them": we understand, expect God to give them to you. But it is at this point that so many of God's people fail oftenest in their prayer lives. There are three chief things to be attended to in prayer. - More