"Solitude is a separation from all men for a period of time in order to be enabled to express one's self more earnestly and freely as one engages himself in seeking after God…Sometimes they choose places of solitude other than those they normally frequent, in order to occupy themselves either with fasting and prayer or with thanksgiving."
-Wilhelmus à Brakel, The Christian's Reasonable Service, 4:19.
Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one special part of religious worship, is by God required of all men: and that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son, by the help of His Spirit, according to His will, with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and, if vocal, in a known tongue.
Neither prayer, nor any other part of religious worship, is now under the Gospel either tied unto, or made more acceptable by any place in which it is performed, or towards which it is directed: but God is to be worshipped everywhere, in spirit and truth; as in private families daily, and in secret each one by himself; so, more solemnly, in the public assemblies, which are not carelessly or wilfully to be neglected, or forsaken, when God, by His Word or providence, calleth thereunto.
-Westminster Confession of Faith 21.3, 6 |
