The Very Soul of Prayer
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that the essence of prayer lies in the sincerity and engagement of the heart with God.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that true prayer is rooted in the sincerity of the heart, as expressed in Proverbs 23:26, 'My son, give Me your heart.' He argues that God desires our whole heart in prayer, rather than mere eloquence or formality. Brooks points out that many fail in their prayer life because they do not engage their hearts fully, and that heartfelt prayer leads to divine acknowledgment and reward. He warns that prayers lacking sincerity are empty and ineffective, likening them to mere noise without substance. Ultimately, Brooks teaches that God listens to the heart's cry, and only prayers that stem from a sincere heart are accepted by Him.
Text
"My son, give Me your heart." Proverbs 23:26
In all your closet-duties God looks first and most to
your hearts. It is not a piece, it is not a corner of the
heart, which will satisfy the Maker of the heart. The
very soul of prayer lies in the pouring out of the soul
before God. The heart is a treasure, a bed of spices,
a royal throne wherein He delights. God looks not at:
the elegance of your prayers, to see how refined they are; nor at
the geometry of your prayers, to see how long they are; nor at
the arithmetic of your prayers, to see how many they are; nor at
the music of your prayers; nor at
the sweetness of your voice; nor at
the logic of your prayers;
but at the sincerity of your prayers, how hearty they are.
The reason why so many are so unsuccessful in their
closet-duties and services, is because there is no more
of their hearts in them. No man can make sure work or
happy work in prayer but he who makes heart work on
it. When a man's heart is in his prayers, then great and
sweet will be his returns from heaven.
There is no prayer acknowledged, approved, accepted,
recorded, or rewarded by God--but that wherein the
heart is sincere.
Prayer without the heart is but as sounding brass or
a tinkling cymbal. Prayer is only lovely and weighty,
as the heart is in it, and no otherwise. It is . . .
not the lifting up of the voice,
nor the wringing of the hands,
nor the beating of the breasts,
nor an affected tone,
nor studied motions,
nor seraphical expressions;
but the stirrings of the heart, which God looks at in prayer.
God hears no more than the heart speaks. If the heart be
dumb, God will certainly be deaf. No prayer is accepted by
God--but that which is the travail of the heart.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The Importance of the Heart in Prayer - God's Desire for Sincerity - The Heart as a Treasure
- II points: - Common Pitfalls in Prayer - The Role of Heartfelt Expression - Misconceptions about Prayer's Value
- III points: - The Outcomes of Heartfelt Prayer - God's Response to Sincere Prayer - The Weight of the Heart in Communication with God
- IV points: - The Nature of True Prayer - Distinguishing Between External and Internal Prayer - The Heart's Influence on Prayer Effectiveness
Key Quotes
“The very soul of prayer lies in the pouring out of the soul before God.” — Thomas Brooks
“Prayer without the heart is but as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.” — Thomas Brooks
“God hears no more than the heart speaks.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Reflect on your prayer life and identify areas where your heart may not be fully engaged.
- Set aside time for prayer that prioritizes sincerity over eloquence or length.
- Practice expressing your true feelings to God, ensuring that your prayers come from a genuine place.