“The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.” — Leviticus 6:13

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 thisburn well. Secret devotion is the very essence, evidence, and barometer, ofvital 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 ofdecay. Let us go with weeping, and ask for the Spirit of grace and ofsupplications. Let us set apart special seasons for extraordinary prayer.For if this fire should be smothered beneath the ashes of a worldlyconformity, it will dim the fire on the family altar, and lessen our influenceboth in the Church and in the world.

The text will also apply to the altar of the heart. This is a golden altarindeed. God loves to see the hearts of His people glowing towardsHimself. Let us give to God our hearts, all blazing with love, and seek Hisgrace, that the fire may never be quenched; for it will not burn if the Lorddoes not keep it burning. Many foes will attempt to extinguish it; but ifthe unseen hand behind the wall pour thereon the sacred oil, it will blazehigher 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 muchalone with Jesus.

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Producer: Todd Adkins
Voice Artist: Ian Cullen