And when thou prayest.
Nine things pertain to the knowledge of true prayer
I. To know what prayer is.
II. How many sorts of prayer there be.
III. The necessity of prayer. Four things provoke us to pray.
1. God’s commandment.
2. Sin in us.
3. Our weak nature.
4. Subtilty of the enemy.
IV. To whom we ought to pay.
V. By whom we should pray.
VI. Where to pray.
VII. What to pray.
VIII. The excellency of prayer.
IX. What we must do that our prayers may be heard. (John Bradford.)
Secret prayer
I. Let us notice the improper, manner in which the pharisees presented their supplication to Genesis
1. They were presented in an improper place.
2. It was sinful in its object.
3. It was worthless as to its issue.
II. The opposite method we are commanded to adopt.
1. The hallowed work in which we are to engage.
2. The place to which we are to retire.
(1) An exclusion of company;
(2) A withdrawment from secular affairs.
3. The approbation which shall be given.
III. A few considerations to engage you to the discharge of this important duty.
1. The Divine command.
2. The example with which we are furnished in the sacred writings.
3. The necessity of secret prayer.
4. The advantages of private devotion.
5. The vital connection with our public usefulness. (J. E. Good.)
Private prayer
1. It is a test of a man, what he is when alone with God.
2. Observe the personal words, so endearing.
3. It implies that you go to the closet for the purpose of prayer, you are to separate yourself from all outer things.
4. Take with you Fatherly views of God.
5. A Father likes to hear everything; He never refuses a secret. (J. Vaughan, M. A.)