Read and discussed this chapter with the RBC Pastors this morning.
Our conversation was one of those really clarifying ones where you are able to probe past the pat answers and get down to what is going on in the heart.
Pray for John A., John M., Darien, Drew, Dan, Wayne and me. Pray that we would be men of prayer. Pray that our ministry fruitfulness would always grow from an authentic root of living faith and hope in God.
I commend this chapter for your consideration: “The hidden riches of the secret place” from the book The Hidden Life of Prayer by David McIntyre.
http://www.fivesolas.com/hidden7.htm
A couple of quotes:
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.” And in the attainment and maintenance of unbroken communion, “Prayer is amongst duties, as faith is amongst graces.” Richard Sibbes reminds us that “Prayer exercises all the graces of the Spirit,” and Flavel confirms the sentence: “You must strive,” he writes, “to excel in this, forasmuch as no grace within or service without can thrive without it.”
Communion with God discovers the excellence of His character, and by beholding Him the soul is transformed. Holiness is conformity to Christ, and this is secured by a growing intimacy with Him.