LIFE CHANGING PRAYER compiled by Debra Maffett

Confession of sin, however, is but one part of a Christian's duty in
his closet. While passing through this valley of tears, he has his
peculiar trials, his peculiar needs, and his peculiar mercies. Another
will scarcely be found whose experience in all points, will accord
with his own. In all his trials, needs, and mercies, he alone seems to
be deeply interested. No one else can so feelingly express what . . .
his sufferings under trials are,
the urgency of his needs, or
the gratitude he feels for mercies he has received.
Hence arises the insufficiency of public and family prayer for every
purpose, and the necessity of the Christian's retiring to his closet —
where, through our great "High Priest, who is touched with the
feeling of our infirmities," he may in secret "come boldly to a throne of
grace, and obtain mercy, and find grace to help in every time of
need." (Hebrews 4.15, 16.)
Private Prayer is a privilege of which a Christian may at all times
avail himself. Ill health, affliction in his family, unfavorable weather,
the distance, and a variety of other circumstances, may detain him
from the public means of grace — but none of these can prevent his
praying in secret. However desirous he may be of enjoying the
benefits of a family altar, a lack of piety in some, or a determined
opposition to domestic worship in others, may deprive him of this
means also. But neither friends nor enemies have power to prevent
his holding communion with his God in secret.
No time is unseasonable for such a purpose — and no place is unfit
for such devotions. There is no corner so dark — no place so secret,
but God is there. He never lacks an eye to see, an ear to hear the cries
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