Some may think that they lack the ability to pour
out their souls before the Lord in secret. I answer,
You cannot pray; but can you not sigh? can you not
groan? There may be the Spirit of adoption in sighs
and groans, as well as in vocal prayer. The force, the
virtue, the efficacy, the excellency of prayer does not
consist in the number and flourish of words;but in the
supernatural motions of the Spirit—in sighs, and groans,
and pangs, and strong affections of heart, which are
unspeakable and unutterable. Certainly, the very soul
of prayer lies in the pouring out of a man's soul before
the Lord, though it be but in sighs, groans, and tears.
One sigh and groan from a broken heart, is more
pleasing to God, than all human eloquence.
Remember, that God is no critical observer of the poor
expressions which fall from His poor children, when they
are in prayer. He is such a Father as is very well pleased
with the broken expressions and flawed stammerings of
His people when they pray. It is not a flood of words, nor
studied notions, nor seraphical expressions, nor elegant
phrases in prayer—which takes the ear, or which delights
the heart of God, or which opens the gates of glory, or
which brings down the best of blessings upon the soul;
but uprightness, holiness, heavenliness, spiritualness, and
brokenness of heart. These are the things which make a
conquest upon God, and bring most benefit to the soul.
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Thomas Brooks (1608 - 1680)
Much of what is known about Thomas Brooks has been ascertained from his writings. Born, likely to well-to-do parents, in 1608, Brooks entered Emmanuel College, Cambridge in 1625, where he was preceded by such men as Thomas Hooker, John Cotton, and Thomas Shepard. He was licensed as a preacher of the Gospel by 1640. Before that date, he appears to have spent a number of years at sea, probably as a chaplain with the fleet.After the conclusion of the First English Civil War, Thomas Brooks became minister at Thomas Apostle's, London, and was sufficiently renowned to be chosen as preacher before the House of Commons on December 26, 1648. His sermon was afterwards published under the title, 'God's Delight in the Progress of the Upright', the text being Psalm 44:18: 'Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from Thy way'. Three or four years afterwards, he transferred to St. Margaret's, Fish-street Hill, London. In 1662, he fell victim to the notorious Act of Uniformity, but he appears to have remained in his parish and to have preached as opportunity arose. Treatises continued to flow from his pen.[3]
Thomas Brooks was a nonconformist preacher. Born into a Puritan family, he was sent to Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He soon became an advocate of the Congregational way and served as a chaplain in the Civil War. In 1648 he accepted the rectory of St. Margaret's, New Fish Street, London, but only after making his Congregational principles clear to the vestry.
On several occasions he preached before Parliament. He was ejected in 1660 and remained in London as a Nonconformist preacher. Government spies reported that he preached at Tower Wharf and in Moorfields. During the Great Plague and Great Fire he worked in London, and in 1672 was granted a license to preach in Lime Street. He wrote over a dozen books, most of which are devotional in character. He was buried in Bunhill Fields.