Scripture
> The fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out.
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> — Leviticus 6:13 (ESV)
Devotional
Keep the altar of private prayer burning. This is the very life of all piety. The sanctuary and family altars borrow their fires here, therefore let this burn well. Secret devotion is the very essence, evidence, and barometer, of vital and experimental religion.
Burn here the fat of your sacrifices. Let your closet seasons be, if possible, regular, frequent, and undisturbed. Effectual prayer availeth much. Have you nothing to pray for? Let us suggest the Church, the ministry, your own soul, your children, your relations, your neighbours, your country, and the cause of God and truth throughout the world. Let us examine ourselves on this important matter. Do we engage with lukewarmness in private devotion? Is the fire of devotion burning dimly in our hearts? Do the chariot wheels drag heavily? If so, let us be alarmed at this sign of decay. Let us go with weeping, and ask for the Spirit of grace and of supplications. Let us set apart special seasons for extraordinary prayer. For if this fire should be smothered beneath the ashes of a worldly conformity, it will dim the fire on the family altar, and lessen our influence both in the Church and in the world.
The text will also apply to the altar of the heart. This is a golden altar indeed. God loves to see the hearts of his people glowing towards himself. Let us give to God our hearts, all blazing with love, and seek his grace, that the fire may never be quenched; for it will not burn if the Lord does not keep it burning. Many foes will attempt to extinguish it; but if the unseen hand behind the wall pour thereon the sacred oil, it will blaze higher and higher. Let us use texts of Scripture as fuel for our heart’s fire, they are live coals; let us attend sermons, but above all, let us be much alone with Jesus.
Reflection
Spurgeon calls us to keep the altar of private prayer burning as the life of all piety. Regular, frequent, undisturbed closet seasons are essential. If the fire burns low, we must be alarmed and seek the Spirit to rekindle it. The same applies to the heart’s altar—our love for God must be kept blazing by His grace and the fuel of the Word and fellowship with Jesus.
What we might miss is that neglecting private prayer not only harms our own soul but dims the fire for the whole church.
Goad
Is the altar of your private prayer burning brightly, or has it grown dim through neglect or worldly conformity? What would it look like to set apart special seasons for extraordinary prayer and keep the fire alive today?
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