Many shrink from public prayer. They say they have no ability for it and that it would not be for edification for them to make the attempt. And yet is this of God? There must be some simple remedy for so glaring a failure_a remedy which the love of God would apply at once if we let Him. Perhaps the cause of this silence in public will suggest the remedy. Let us inquire as to the cause.

Here is a godly Christian so far as outward walk and faithfulness at meetings go. Further, he enjoys fellowship in the things of God, and will readily converse with those like-minded with himself. It cannot be supposed that he neglects secret prayer, though doubtless, like all saints, he needs to be more engaged in it. We are not speaking of those who are in a cold state, but of such as realize the grace of God and the love of Christ.

The crucial question for such a one is this:Does he pray in the family! There is small wonder that a brother who does not let his voice be heard at the family altar should be silent at the meeting. The sound of his voice frightens him, he forgets to whom he is speaking, forgets what he wished to pray for, and covered with confusion resolves never to make another exhibition of himself. Ah, brethren, how much wounded pride is expressed in that resolution. But why was he so embarrassed? Was he not sincere, did he not wish to ask for the desires of his heart? He did, but his voice is not heard in prayer at home, and therefore he is unaccustomed to its sound.

Why is the voice not heard at the family altar? Without doubt Satan has a thousand reasons why we should not have family prayer and reading of the Word. We have no time for it, we leave home too early, and return too late; we have too many interruptions, company coming in, children going to school. Oh, dear brethren, how mean and trivial are all such excuses. We are ashamed of them as we speak of them. Let us throw them to the winds, confess our neglect, and this very day go to God as a family.

Is the reader without fellowship at home? Is it a Christian wife whose husband is in the world? Let her gather her little ones about her and count upon the God of all grace to hear her prayers for her home. Is it the reverse? Let the husband in the fear of God declare that he must recognize Him in the home. Few are the wives who would object, and fewer still who would leave the room. But if she did, let him gather the children about him and pray.

How many questions does such an act raise, and how many does it settle? Has the man’s walk been inconsistent? he is reminded of it and of many other weaknesses and failures. He may have been selfish and have stumbled his wife, or his sharp temper may have been a reproach before the children. Let him confess all before God and his family, and let God be implored that all such dishonor to Him may cease. If there is reality, there will soon be help. Often between those nearest and dearest according to nature there grows up a barrier as to the holiest and sweetest part of life_the things of God. They shrink from speaking to one another and so are no longer helpful to one another. Let all such things be confessed and remedied; in family prayer and reading of the Word there will be a sweet recovery.

We are living in busy times, and early and late the mill must be kept grinding. But if there is purpose of heart, God will open the way. There is some time during the day, preferably in the morning, when the family can be brought together. They take their meals together, or they can do so. Let them at the same time devote a few minutes to reading God’s Word and prayer. A brief quarter of an hour, if no more time can be given, will be better than none. Let the most suitable time be chosen and dedicated to God. Let nothing usurp its place. We can go without our food better than we can deprive ourselves of this holy privilege.

Dear brethren, I believe that this would remedy our silent prayer meetings, for it is lack at the home that makes the lack in public. It would be no fearsome task to lead in prayer and praise, but the sweetest constraint of love and faith. May our blessed Lord speak to us all.

(From Help and Food, Volume 18.)