This book was first published in 1891 and this is its third reprinting. The author was born at the dawn of the Great Awakening in 1859 and his prose has a quality of ‘otherness’ which may be a reflection of this. McIntyre, for a time, was a ‘missionary’ in London before returning to Scotland as assistant to Andrew Bonar and then minister. He later became Principal of the Glasgow Bible Training Institute. Reviewers of his life say that David McIntyre was a man of prayer who ‘walked and talked with God’.

This book is a manual of personal, private prayer, instructing in worship, confession and request. The author encourages the reader to long for the ‘hidden riches of the secret place’.

The author quotes extensively from scripture and from theologians and authors across church history. The book closes with words of Evan Roberts in 1905, in answering a question about the secret of revival, ‘There is no secret, it is only, ask and receive’.

We hardly get a glimpse today of the prayer life of which this book gives evidence. Hardly surprising that it comes recommended by such men as Geoff Thomas, Wayne Grudem and John Piper. Read it slowly and let the author instruct you in prayer.

Sheila Stephen