"Persistent in prayer." Romans 12:12
The Greek is a metaphor taken from hunting dogs, which
never give up the chase until they have got their prey.
A Christian must not only pray—but hold on in prayer,
until he has got the heavenly prize.
"Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5:17
We are always needing; and therefore we had need
be praying always.
The world is always alluring; and therefore we had
need be always a-praying.
Satan is always a-tempting; and therefore we had
need be always a-praying.
We are always a-sinning; and therefore we had
need be always a-praying.
We are in dangers always; and therefore we had
need be praying always.
We are dying always; and therefore we had need be
praying always. Man's whole life is but a lingering death;
man no sooner begins to live—but he begins to die. Dying
Christians had need be praying Christians, and those who
are always a-dying had need be always a-praying.
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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.