The royal gate

(Thomas Brooks, "Heaven on Earth" 1667)

"Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5:17

A man may always pray habitually; he may
have his heart in a praying disposition in all
states and conditions--
  in prosperity and adversity,
  in health and sickness,
  in strength and weakness,
  in wealth and wants,
  in life and death.

The Christian needs . . .
  divine mercy to pardon him,
  divine grace to purify him,
  divine balm to heal him,
  divine favor to comfort him,
  divine power to support him,
  divine wisdom to counsel him,
  divine goodness to satisfy him.

Our daily weaknesses,
our daily needs,
our daily fears,
our daily dangers,
our daily temptations,
call for our daily prayers.

Prayer is the royal gate by which
the Lord enters into the heart--
  comforting,
  quieting,
  strengthening,
  quickening, and
  upholding it.

By prayer--
  faith is increased,
  hope strengthened,
  the spirit exhilarated,
  the heart pacified,
  the conscience purified,
  temptations vanquished,
  corruptions weakened,
  the affections inflamed,
  the will more renewed, and
  the whole man more advantaged.