We are discussing this book in Pastoral Staff meeting – The Hidden Life of Prayer, by David McIntyre. You can read it online here –
http://www.fivesolas.com/hiddnint.htm
He starts with a very simply list of what it takes to live the life of prayer –
The equipment for the inner life of prayer is simple, if not always easily secured. It consists particularly of a quiet place, a quiet hour, and a quiet heart.
For most of us it may be harder to find a quiet hour. I do not mean an “hour” of exactly sixty minutes, but a portion of time withdrawn from the engagements of the day, fenced round from the encroachments of business or pleasure, and dedicated to God. Certainly, if we are to have a quiet hour set down in the midst of a hurry of duties, and kept sacred, we must exercise both forethought and self-denial. We must be prepared to forgo many things that are pleasant, and some things that are profitable.
Next, McIntyre helpfully directs us as to the very first thing to do in that quiet place, in that quiet hour –
In the first place, it is necessary that we should realize the presence of God. He who fills earth and heaven “is,” in a singular and impressive sense, in the secret place. Bishop Jeremy Taylor enforces this rule with stately and affluent speech: “In the beginning of actions of religion, make an act of adoration; that is, solemnly worship God, and place thyself in God’s presence, and behold Him with the eye of faith; and let thy desires actually fix on Him as the object of thy worship, and the reason of thy hope, and the fountain of thy blessing. For when thou hast placed thyself before Him, and kneelest in His presence, it is most likely all the following parts of thy devotion will be answerable to the wisdom of such an apprehension, and the glory of such a presence.”