How Can I Cultivate Private Prayer?

By Joel R. Beeke

Prayer is a crucial part of the Christian life, and believers must give it careful attention and cultivation. As they pray, Christians exercise their faith in repentance, in submission to God’s will, and in praise to God. Believers in Christ, then, must grow in their prayer life—in their communion with God. In this pamphlet, Joel R. Beeke gives readers helpful, practical ways to improve their prayer lives by first disciplining themselves, in dependence on the Holy Spirit, and by then taking hold of God. Learn what a blessing it is to pray!

Table of Contents:
Take Inventory of Your Prayer Life
Take Hold of Yourself
Take Hold Of God
Series Description

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said that what the church needs to do most all is “to begin herself to live the Christian life. If she did that, men and women would be crowding into our buildings. They would say, ‘What is the secret of this?’” As Christians, one of our greatest needs is for the Spirit of God to cultivate biblical godliness in us in order to put the beauty of Christ on display through us, all to the glory of the triune God. With this goal in mind, this series of booklets treats matters vital to Christian experience at a basic level. Each booklet addresses a specific question in order to inform the mind, warm the affections, and transform the whole person by the Spirit’s grace, so that the church may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Reformation Heritage Books
• Release date: Apr 21, 2016
• ISBN: 9781601784568

Joel R. Beeke

Dr. Joel R. Beeke is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, a pastor of Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Mich., and editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books. He is author of numerous books, including Parenting by God’s Promises, Knowing and Growing in Assurance of Faith, and Reformed Preaching.

Book preview

HOW CAN I CULTIVATE

PRIVATE PRAYER?

JOEL R. BEEKE

REFORMATION HERITAGE BOOKS

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

CULTIVATING BIBLICAL GODLINESS

Series Editors

Joel R. Beeke and Ryan M. McGraw

Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said that what the church needs to do most of all is to begin herself to live the Christian life. If she did that, men and women would be crowding into our buildings. They would say, ‘What is the secret of this?’ As Christians, one of our greatest needs is for the Spirit of God to cultivate biblical godliness in us in order to put the beauty of Christ on display through us, all to the glory of the triune God. With this goal in mind, this series of booklets treats matters vital to Christian experience at a basic level. Each booklet addresses a specific question in order to inform the mind, warm the affections, and transform the whole person by the Spirit’s grace, so that the church may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

How Can I Cultivate Private Prayer?

© 2016 by Joel R. Beeke

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Direct your requests to the publisher at the following address:

Reformation Heritage Books

2965 Leonard St. NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49525

616-977-0889 / Fax [phone]

[e-mail]

www.heritagebooks.org

Printed in the United States of America

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ISBN 978-1-60178-455-1

ISBN 978-1-60178-456-8 (e-pub)

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HOW CAN I CULTIVATE

PRIVATE PRAYER?

The gospel produces a praying people.1 Christ died to bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18). God calls sinners into union with Christ by the gospel (1 Cor. 1:9) so that in Christ we can have fellowship with Him (1 John 1:3). God has forged in Christ an unbreakable link between the human needs of His people and His infinite resources.2 Yet it is not God’s will that those resources flow to us without our hearts being engaged. God sends His Spirit into the hearts of His children so that they cry out in prayer to the Father (Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6). Indeed, they not only cry out to God (Ps. 57:2) but they also cry out for God (Ps. 84:2). He is their

Reviews for How Can I Cultivate Private Prayer?

[Mike Washburn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A punch in the gut at every page, but the best kind there is. Hopeful that the truths and practical tips expressed by Dr. Beeke here will spur me on to a more richer, fruitful prayer life.

[Pankaj Pankaj · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Greatly encouraged to pursue a life of deeper communion with God through prayer.

[Katie Waalkes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is small but incredibly powerful. I would highly recommend it for all christians.