Essentials

It is never necessary to make long prayers;
But it essential to be much alone with God:
Waiting at His door; Harkening for His voice;
Lingering in His vineyard, for the coming
Of the Lord in the dawn, or cool of the day.
No number of meetings, no fellowship,
No amount of activity can compensate
For the absence, or neglect of this still hour.
When you feel the least inclined to petition;
There is the greatest need, to withdraw,
Soberly, on your knees, into that secret place.
Do, if you feel you must, for duty's sake,
What you cannot do as a pleasure;
And soon, you shall discover that
It becomes an eagerly anticipated delight.
You can better live without nourishment,
Than grow strong and radiant in the faith
Without regular, intensive fellowship with God.
More believers than may ever be known,
Suffer a lack of common communion and study,
And no revival is more eagerly sought,
Than a rebirth of thoughtful, systematic, and private
Intercession, adoration, petition, and study.
There is no short and easy method to godliness,
Which can dispense with these.