Note: For fans of Spurgeon have you checked out my Review: Charles Spurgeon Framed Art Print?
Charles Spurgeon. The Holy Spirit Glorifying Christ. Pensacola, FL: Chapel Library, May 26, 2020. 24 pp.
4 out of 5
Free: Chapel Library
Purchase: Amazon
Want to read a short devotional to encourage praying to God? This booklet by my favorite Victorian era English preacher Charles Spurgeon provide some spiritual thoughts and reflection and practical pointers about praying to God. This is based upon a sermon on Jesus’ words in Mark 11:24 that Spurgeon preached on August 12th, 1860 in England. Though it is over 160 years since he preached it and when I read this nevertheless I think what Spurgeon has to say is timeless and spiritually edifying.
This booklet has three points. Point one Spurgeon wants readers to look at the text of Mark 11:24. Point two he exhorts readers “to look about you” and point three “to look above you.” For point one he further explore four qualities of our prayers: definite objects, earnest desire, firm faith and realizing expectation. Under point two he covers two occasions of prayer: prayer meeting and private prayer. He has practical points for each. The final point is a call to look above and here he ends on a Gospel note of making sure one is forgiven of their sins through Christ.
It was edifying to read. It might not have been as powerful as some of Spurgeon’s later messages but I’m blown away how God used Spurgeon at the age of twenty six to deliver this timeless message. I still learn somethings here and found it helpful that he talked about being specific in one’s prayers to God. He also talks about what to do when one doesn’t have anything specific to pray to God about; go ask other Christians for their prayer requests and also pray for the lost who don’t know God and the Gospel. It was also good to see his call to readers to pray sincerely and that its about the Spirit of prayer and not language of prayer. Overall a good work, I would recommend and I have recommend and gave this booklet away to a brother at church.
Good suggestion if one doesn’t have anything specific to pray for: ” go ask other Christians for their prayer requests and also pray for the lost who don’t know God and the Gospel.”
I really did like that idea from Spurgeon.I’ll have to mention that to my congregation the next time I teach on praying!!! Hope you are doing well, and that yesterday with Memorial Day was restful and meaningful
Thanks for the great review. Look forward to reading it.
Thank you for this gem from Spurgeon.
You are welcome! I really do love Spurgeon and hope to read more from him this year!!! I imagine you have enjoyed Spurgeon’s writing from the past as well??
Thanks for the good review! What a privilege it is to pray to God at specific prayer times, but also throughout the day.
Amen May we be praying specifically and at all sorts of time! How is the weather in your neck of the woods is it beginning to feel like Summer???
RE: weather
Yesterday and today we have SoCal weather, 90F and humid. I mowed the backyard before noon and it knocked me out. I’m staying inside the rest of the day in the AC and on the couch.
How is the weather in SoCal?
May check this out some day. Have a good recommendation on Eschatology that isn’t overly heavy?
I recommend https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2012/03/20/book-revie-christ-prophetic-plans/ as a good starter.
For what I think is the best treatment of revelation 20 I think is https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/book-review-revelation-20-and-the-millennial-debate/
Have you heard of those books?
Have not heard of either. I have studied but eschatology is my weakest area in all of theology.
A actually just put the MacArthur book in my Amazon shopping cart. I think I have evolved over the years to dispensational premillennialism but, as I said, I have not studied in depth enough. Also have a friend who has been asking questions.
It doesn’t take a lot of faith to pray in vague terms. But if we are confident enough to pray for specific things we will begin to see specific answers. Some people think of prayer as boring, but if you ask the Lord for something specific and he answers – that never gets old!
Amen what you said matches so much of what Spurgeon was saying. Prayer is not boring if you have a relationship with Him! For me it’s also knowing His Word speaking to me that fuels prayer! Thanks sister for reading this!!
I love Spurgeon.
Same I love Spurgeon too!! I wish more preachers were like Spurgeon today with the boldness and the passion and the desire to be biblical!
Amen. I have his commentary:)
I like the book’s cover
The booklet pdf is for the Holy Spirit Glorifying God and not True prayer true power
I have read Spurgeon’s the power of prayer, but not this one. I will have to look it up.
Churches should not neglect teaching on prayer to appease people with horizontal topics