Long Hours
A deeper relationship with God requires spending quality time in prayer and solitude to experience spiritual growth and peace.
Charles E. Cowman emphasizes the importance of dedicating significant time to prayer, highlighting the correlation between holiness and the amount of time spent in prayer. He references Whitefield and others who spent days and weeks in prayer, emphasizing the need for solitude and communion with God for spiritual growth and effectiveness in one's work. Cowman encourages believers to heed the call to come to God for rest, peace, and renewal away from the distractions of life.
Text
"I will give myself unto prayer" (Ps. 109:4).
We are often in a religious hurry in our devotions. How much time do we spend in them daily? Can it not be easily reckoned in minutes? Who ever knew an eminently holy man who did not spend much of his time in prayer? Did ever a man exhibit much of the spirit of prayer, who did not devote much time in his closet?
Whitefield says, "Whole days and weeks have I spent prostrate on the ground, in silent or vocal prayer." "Fall upon your knees and grow there," is the language of another, who knew whereof he affirmed.
It has been said that no great work in literature or science was ever wrought by a man who did not love solitude. We may lay it down as an elemental principle of religion, that no large growth in holiness was ever gained by one who did not take time to be often, and long, alone with God.
--The Still Hour
"'Come, come,' He saith, 'O soul oppressed and weary,
Come to the shadows of my desert rest;
Come walk with Me far from life's babbling discords,
And peace shall breathe like music in thy breast.'"
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Prayer
- The Benefits of Solitude
- The Call to a Deeper Relationship with God
- God invites us to rest in His presence
- The benefits of a deeper relationship with God
Key Quotes
“''Come, come,'' He saith, ''O soul oppressed and weary, Come to the shadows of my desert rest; Come walk with Me far from life''s babbling discords, And peace shall breathe like music in thy breast.''” — Charles E. Cowman
“Whole days and weeks have I spent prostrate on the ground, in silent or vocal prayer.” — Charles E. Cowman
“Fall upon your knees and grow there,” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- Prioritize your time to schedule regular periods of solitude and prayer.
- Take time to be alone with God and spend much time in prayer to experience spiritual growth.
- A deeper relationship with God brings peace and music in your heart.