American Homiletic Monthly Matthew 6:6 But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret… I. It is a DUTY. 1. Because it is commanded. 2. Because indispensable to the religious life of the soul. II. It is a PRIVILEGE. 1. Because it is communion with God. 2. Because it is priceless and seasonable. It is not like the Roman Porta Santa, which is opened but once in twenty-five years, with grand ceremonies, conducted by the highest dignitaries of the Church. III. Its PRACTICE IS COMMENDED TO US. 1. By example of Christ. 2. By the observance of eminent saints. IV. Its OBJECT. 1. TO be alone with God. 2. To cultivate heart-religion. 3. To obtain needed supplies of grace. V. Its BENEFITS. 1. Its privacy promotes meditation and heart-scrutiny. 2. It favours the confession of such sins as are individual. VI. APPLICATIONS. 1. A command all followers of Christ will obey. 2. Some local "inner chamber not necessary." Every man can build a chapel in his breast. (American Homiletic Monthly.) Parallel Verses KJV: But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. |
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