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The Hidden Life of Prayer
A classic of spiritual devotion edited for a new generation of readers. Opens the closed door to the "secret place" of effective prayer experienced by many historical saints.
109 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1891
125 people are currently reading
639 people want to read
About the author
David M. McIntyre
5 books1 followerDavid M'Intyre (1859-1938) was a Scottish, Presbyterian minister whose many books have the rare balance of scholastic care and worshipful writing. He succeeded the famous Andrew Bonar as minister in Finnieston and later became Principal of the Bible Training Institute in Glascow.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
November 4, 2021
A must read for every Christian. Filled with golden nuggets that will encourage and motivate your prayer life.
January 26, 2021
I didn't want this book to end! It rekindled my passion for the Lord and communion with Him. It's packed full of quotes and references to saints who have gone before who excelled in the hidden life of prayer. It's a little thick in parts, but well worth the read and re-read to understand. I am convicted, built up, encouraged, and inspired to give more time to prayer. What a treasure.
April 21, 2021
I thought this was better about encouraging prayer than actually teaching *how* to pray. I both loved that he included quotes from many believers throughout history regarding prayer and wished that he had written more himself to smooth over the chunkiness of all the quotations. The last chapter was particularly challenging and encouraging by sharing those experiences that others had of the Lord answering prayer and the expectation that he will.
It wasn't exactly as I expected. I liked it, but still think it could have had more.
It wasn't exactly as I expected. I liked it, but still think it could have had more.
February 2, 2012
This book will help you to pray. It strings together what some of the great prayer warriors of the past have had to say about prayer (p.20). You’ll hear from hall-of-famers like Andrew Bonar, Robert Murray McCheynne, and Richard Baxter. Unfortunately, this wisdom from the ages also comes with the original packing, and some readers will struggle a little with the older styles of writing.
Our equipment for prayer is a quiet place, a quiet hour, and a quiet heart. Of course, in our noisy world, it’s hard to find anything that’s quiet. Yet, as George Bowen says, “it will never be altogether well with us till we convert the universe into a prayer room, and continue in the Spirit as we go from place to place” (36).
Of the three tools, the most important is a quiet heart. We can quiet our hearts for prayer by directing our hearts to
- our acceptance with God through Christ’s offering
- the Spirit’s grace
- the Holy Scriptures.
What about our posture in prayer? Kneel? Sit? Lie down—surely not! When it comes to prayer, it’s not so much the posture of our bodies that counts, but the posture of our minds. Our minds need to open to God’s presence, honest before him, and full of faith in him who as God is all-powerful and as Father is all-gracious. Here is the posture the author extols:
Lord, here I hold within my trembling hand,
This will of mine—a thing which seemeth small;
And only thou, O Christ, canst understand
How, when I yield thee this, I yield mine all.
It hath been wet with tears, and stained with sighs,
Clenched in my grasp till beauty hath it none;
Now, from thy footstool where it prostrate lies
Thy prayer ascendeth, Let thy will be done. (p.58)
After devoting a chapter to each of the forms of prayer (worship, confession, and request), the book concludes with two chapters on the rewards of prayer. Prayer’s rewards are both “hidden” (changing you) and “open” (blessing others).
Prayer changes you! One of its “hidden” riches is the knowledge of God’s will:
In prayer we present ourselves to God, holding our motives in his clear light, and estimating them after the counsel of his will. Thus our thoughts and feelings stratify themselves: those that rise towards the honour of God taking precedence of those that drift downward towards the gratification of self. And so the great decisions of life are prepared.
In prayer, Jacob became Israel; in prayer, Daniel saw Christ’s day, and was glad; in prayer, Saul of Tarsus received his commission to go ‘far hence’ among the Gentiles; in prayer, the Son of Man accomplished his obedience, and embraced the cross. (107)
Prayer changes others! One of its “open” rewards is the spread of the kingdom by prayer:
By prayer, the tentmaker of Tarsus won the dissolute Corinthians to purity and faith, laid the enduring foundations of Western Christianity, and raised the name of Jesus high in the very palace of Nero. (121-2)
Robert Roberts preached a sermon that led to an awakening in Wales. A friend asked the preacher a few days later where he got “that wonderful sermon.” Roberts led him to a small parlour and said “It was here I found that sermon you speak of—on the floor here, all night long, turning backward and forward, with my face sometimes on the earth” (122).
“In a word, every gracious work which has been accomplished within the kingdom of God has been begun, fostered and consummated by prayer” (123). There is no secret to revival; it is only “ask and receive.”
Our equipment for prayer is a quiet place, a quiet hour, and a quiet heart. Of course, in our noisy world, it’s hard to find anything that’s quiet. Yet, as George Bowen says, “it will never be altogether well with us till we convert the universe into a prayer room, and continue in the Spirit as we go from place to place” (36).
Of the three tools, the most important is a quiet heart. We can quiet our hearts for prayer by directing our hearts to
- our acceptance with God through Christ’s offering
- the Spirit’s grace
- the Holy Scriptures.
What about our posture in prayer? Kneel? Sit? Lie down—surely not! When it comes to prayer, it’s not so much the posture of our bodies that counts, but the posture of our minds. Our minds need to open to God’s presence, honest before him, and full of faith in him who as God is all-powerful and as Father is all-gracious. Here is the posture the author extols:
Lord, here I hold within my trembling hand,
This will of mine—a thing which seemeth small;
And only thou, O Christ, canst understand
How, when I yield thee this, I yield mine all.
It hath been wet with tears, and stained with sighs,
Clenched in my grasp till beauty hath it none;
Now, from thy footstool where it prostrate lies
Thy prayer ascendeth, Let thy will be done. (p.58)
After devoting a chapter to each of the forms of prayer (worship, confession, and request), the book concludes with two chapters on the rewards of prayer. Prayer’s rewards are both “hidden” (changing you) and “open” (blessing others).
Prayer changes you! One of its “hidden” riches is the knowledge of God’s will:
In prayer we present ourselves to God, holding our motives in his clear light, and estimating them after the counsel of his will. Thus our thoughts and feelings stratify themselves: those that rise towards the honour of God taking precedence of those that drift downward towards the gratification of self. And so the great decisions of life are prepared.
In prayer, Jacob became Israel; in prayer, Daniel saw Christ’s day, and was glad; in prayer, Saul of Tarsus received his commission to go ‘far hence’ among the Gentiles; in prayer, the Son of Man accomplished his obedience, and embraced the cross. (107)
Prayer changes others! One of its “open” rewards is the spread of the kingdom by prayer:
By prayer, the tentmaker of Tarsus won the dissolute Corinthians to purity and faith, laid the enduring foundations of Western Christianity, and raised the name of Jesus high in the very palace of Nero. (121-2)
Robert Roberts preached a sermon that led to an awakening in Wales. A friend asked the preacher a few days later where he got “that wonderful sermon.” Roberts led him to a small parlour and said “It was here I found that sermon you speak of—on the floor here, all night long, turning backward and forward, with my face sometimes on the earth” (122).
“In a word, every gracious work which has been accomplished within the kingdom of God has been begun, fostered and consummated by prayer” (123). There is no secret to revival; it is only “ask and receive.”
March 25, 2025
This book contains many good quotes, but mostly the book is just that- a collection of quotes with the authors thoughts mixed in. So it feels a bit disjointed but still plenty of good bits to remember, like this quote:
“Health and comfort, the joys of home, and the pleasures of knowledge, are blessings which we may rightfully ask, and they will not be withheld unless our Father judges it best that we should be deprived of them. But if He should bar our repeated request, and refuse to receive our prayer, we must then reply with the First-born among many brethren, “Abba, Father, all things are possible unto Thee: howbeit, not what I will, but what Thou wilt.” When we reach the end of our journey, if not before, we shall be able to say, “There hath not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised.”
“Health and comfort, the joys of home, and the pleasures of knowledge, are blessings which we may rightfully ask, and they will not be withheld unless our Father judges it best that we should be deprived of them. But if He should bar our repeated request, and refuse to receive our prayer, we must then reply with the First-born among many brethren, “Abba, Father, all things are possible unto Thee: howbeit, not what I will, but what Thou wilt.” When we reach the end of our journey, if not before, we shall be able to say, “There hath not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised.”
October 10, 2022
"Those who have turned many to righteousness have labored early and late with the weapon called "All-prayer"".
July 17, 2012
This took awhile for me to get into it but I am happy that I read thru it. It is a goldmine of a heart towards prayer. Not a list, but a heart felt cry for prayer that gets lost in our busyiness and lists of things to do. I appreciate the simplicity of prayer and the reminder of what prayer is.
October 25, 2022
O carte micuta, dar extaordinara care te motiveaza practic la a-ti cladi trairea pe temelia indispensabila fiecarui credincios- viata ascunsa de rugaciune.
Acum am citit-o pentru prima data, dar o voi incepe din nou si din nou.
Acum am citit-o pentru prima data, dar o voi incepe din nou si din nou.
January 18, 2024
Easily a favorite to be read again and again
December 28, 2021
A classic work on prayer. A couple aphorisms that are helpful to remember.
• We are never as ready to pray as God is to listen.
• Prayer, like any other language, becomes more difficult to do the less that we use it.
• We must not pray only for things we need or desire, but also to kill the desires and neediness that we are prone to have.
• Many forego prayer against sins and temptations as they believe that just as children grow weary of the things that entice them over time, so too will we grow weary of the sins that beguile us. This should be avoided.
• Many forego the act of prayer against sins and temptations as they believe that just as God worked salvation in their hearts apart from any work on their own behalf, so too will God work to kill the sin in their own lives apart from any work on their own behalf. This should be avoided. We are called to kill sin in our lives, not sit back and be consumed by it until God rescues us from it.
• Prayer is not getting God to stand up and do something that he otherwise would not have done. It is moreso to align our wills with the will of God that is already in place.
• We are never as ready to pray as God is to listen.
• Prayer, like any other language, becomes more difficult to do the less that we use it.
• We must not pray only for things we need or desire, but also to kill the desires and neediness that we are prone to have.
• Many forego prayer against sins and temptations as they believe that just as children grow weary of the things that entice them over time, so too will we grow weary of the sins that beguile us. This should be avoided.
• Many forego the act of prayer against sins and temptations as they believe that just as God worked salvation in their hearts apart from any work on their own behalf, so too will God work to kill the sin in their own lives apart from any work on their own behalf. This should be avoided. We are called to kill sin in our lives, not sit back and be consumed by it until God rescues us from it.
• Prayer is not getting God to stand up and do something that he otherwise would not have done. It is moreso to align our wills with the will of God that is already in place.
December 14, 2018
I listened to this on audiobook. It’s a short work, but it is definitely a book to be read rather than listened to. And in the future, I’ll definitely do so.
As for the content, it was a typical prayer-stirring spiritual book. Like Torrey and Bounds, but not as deep nor good in my opinion (but again, I’ve only listened to it). What makes this different is the references and quotes. There are many great quotes, particularly in the first chapter. One might even say that the book revolves around quotes about. It’s worth getting in print and reading again for these quotes. On another note, I also enjoyed his chapter about seeing a quiet place, quiet hour, and quiet place.
An easy listen, but should be read instead. Will do so in the future.
As for the content, it was a typical prayer-stirring spiritual book. Like Torrey and Bounds, but not as deep nor good in my opinion (but again, I’ve only listened to it). What makes this different is the references and quotes. There are many great quotes, particularly in the first chapter. One might even say that the book revolves around quotes about. It’s worth getting in print and reading again for these quotes. On another note, I also enjoyed his chapter about seeing a quiet place, quiet hour, and quiet place.
An easy listen, but should be read instead. Will do so in the future.
January 23, 2024
It's hard to say something negative about a book on prayer. Especially if it's actually a pretty good one. But I just don't jive with the style of writing that seems to be so prevalent in books on prayer where it's 80% stories and quotes from other people, and only 20% original content by the author. Again, good helpful points made. Just not enough original content for me.
September 20, 2020
A short but solid book to spur readers on in private prayer. I appreciate that this book draws heavily from the words and experience of other believers. Where prayer is concerned, I often learn best by example.
Read
June 2, 2017Very good, challenging book on prayer. Full of quotes from other, earlier writers. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to become more serious about their prayer life.
October 23, 2017
A tough read but very worthwhile.
June 10, 2018
Wow. What an excellent book! I learned so much about prayer and how much richer it can be. It's really helped me think differently. I had such a small view of prayer before; it's so much bigger and more powerful than I realized.
March 17, 2021
4.5 ⭐️ Really enjoyable, it gives you a longing for prayer.
March 4, 2022
Es un pequeño libro y algunas veces no tan simple de seguir pero tiene grandes verdades sobre cómo comunicarnos con Dios basados en sus Palabra.
June 25, 2022
Wow. Just wow.
How can this book have been written in 1891?
And how can it have slipped out of common reading experience of Christians?
Accessible, readable, practical yet profound book on real prayer.
It's not a long book and I know I will be reading it again soon.
How can this book have been written in 1891?
And how can it have slipped out of common reading experience of Christians?
Accessible, readable, practical yet profound book on real prayer.
It's not a long book and I know I will be reading it again soon.
June 15, 2024
What a treasure this book is. One you finish and can't wait to put into practice and can't wait to read again.
April 19, 2022
Good encouragement to pray. Lots of quotes from pastors & missionaries on prayer.
September 10, 2020
I wrote this book down to read after seeing The War Room. If you are looking to rejuvenate, or start, your prayer life, this book tells you how.
March 4, 2019
Book Club book for February 2019. Powerful (and painful--in a good way) book.
All my thoughts on each chapter are here: https://www.stonesoupforfive.com/sear...
All my thoughts on each chapter are here: https://www.stonesoupforfive.com/sear...
March 10, 2017
Straight to the point, and very helpful. I will definitely read this again!
May 15, 2011
This is a very good addition to works on prayer such as those from Beeke, as well as classic authors such as Luther. It serves to reinforce the necessary commitment we must all have to a life of private, contemplative prayer. This work also reminds us that God wants us to pray, and through that prayer, we draw closer to him and receive the spiritual nourishment we all need as Christians. Well worth the time to read.
June 24, 2014
This is a very good little book on prayer. If it was any other subject I'd probably be inclined to give only 4/5 stars but since there seems to be such a shortage of good books on prayer I'm feeling generous. This book is really a collection of high quality quotes and devotional thoughts on the subject and lacks a thorough biblical treatment on prayer. Nonetheless I found it very helpful and encouraging.
June 13, 2012
This is the second time I am going through this book -with Tim Challies and his readers- (June 2012)
Good book, but personally I don't like that at times it seems to be more a collection of quotes, than a narrative.
Good book, but personally I don't like that at times it seems to be more a collection of quotes, than a narrative.
September 26, 2020
An excellent book on private prayer. Well worth reading and re-reading from year to year.
June 4, 2016
Truths, beautifully written.
March 31, 2018
An excellent book on Prayer. McIntyre does a wonderful job of grounding the book in scripture and compiling the experiences and thoughts of great theologians, preachers, and missionaries from throughout Church history. Throughout the book you’ll hear from heroes of the faith such as Polycarp, Martin Luther, Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, Richard Sibbes, John Patton, and so many more.
I would liken the book to a shot of espresso. At first glance, the book appears short, and one may be tempted to think that it will therefore be lacking in content. But for what it seems to be missing in length, it more than makes up for in the quality and intensity of content. The book packs a punch, and will be one that I plan to come back to in the future. It is written in an older style, but don’t let that deter you from gleaning such great insight to something so pivotal to the Christian life as prayer. If you decide to read this book be sure you give yourself time to thoroughly read through and digest it.
I would liken the book to a shot of espresso. At first glance, the book appears short, and one may be tempted to think that it will therefore be lacking in content. But for what it seems to be missing in length, it more than makes up for in the quality and intensity of content. The book packs a punch, and will be one that I plan to come back to in the future. It is written in an older style, but don’t let that deter you from gleaning such great insight to something so pivotal to the Christian life as prayer. If you decide to read this book be sure you give yourself time to thoroughly read through and digest it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews