Charles Spurgeon's Boiler Room
Monday, May 5, 2025
“We are miserable men if we miss the help of your prayers.” – C.H. Spurgeon, referring to the dependence of pastors on the prayers of their congregations
Charles Spurgeon, who – with apologies to Charles Finney and D.L. Moody – was arguably the greatest preacher of the 19th century, was often called upon for advice by young men who were aspiring to become ministers themselves. Rather than hide from them the challenges awaiting them, Spurgeon emphasized the gravity of their calling.
“Brothers,” he wrote, “our work is solemnly momentous, involving good or ill to thousands; we deal with souls for God on eternal business.”
Likewise, Spurgeon urged his own congregation to lift him up in prayer regularly, earnestly, and fervently. “May God help me,” he told his flock, “If you cease to pray for me! Let me know the day, and I must cease to preach. Let me know when you intend to cease your prayers, and I shall cry, ‘O my God, give me this day my tomb, and let me slumber in the dust.’”
Here is a story that reinforces the importance that Spurgeon placed upon the intercessory prayers of his church members…
A group of young ministers came one day to visit his church. After showing them the massive sanctuary, Spurgeon offered to show them his “boiler room.” The guests were not interested because boiler rooms were not pleasant places to visit. They were hot and dirty; usually located down in the basement. In Spurgeon’s time, steam was the power source of the day; boiler rooms were the powerhouses, the driving forces of everything. Spurgeon led the young ministers down to the basement where they found about one hundred people in prayer. “This,” Spurgeon said with a smile, “is my boiler room.” Whenever Spurgeon was asked the secret of his ministry he always replied, “My people pray for me.”
My friend, pastoring is a high – and often lonely – calling, one in which a man and his family are subject to stresses, strains, and spiritual warfare that laymen can only imagine. PLEASE PRAY FOR YOUR PASTOR!!!
“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.” I Timothy 5:17 (NKJV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
