It is only when the whole heart is gripped with the passion of prayer that the life-giving fire descends, for none but the earnest man gets access to the ear of God.
—Edward McKendree Bounds (1835–1913) American Methodist Clergyman, Author, Lawyer
Beyond our utmost wants His love and power can bless; To praying souls he always grants More than they can express.
—John Newton (1725–1807) English Clergyman, Writer
Search me, O God, and know my heart: tiy me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
A generous prayer is never presented in vain; the petition may be refused, but the petitioner is always, I believe, rewarded by some gracious visitation.
—Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–94) Scottish Novelist
When the Gods wish to punish us, they answer our prayers.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Religion is in the heart, not in the knees.
—Douglas William Jerrold (1803–57) English Writer, Dramatist, Wit
Praying is no easy matter. It demands a relationship in which you allow someone other than yourself to enter into the very center of your person, to see there what you would rather leave in darkness, and to touch there what you would rather leave untouched.
—Henri Nouwen (1932–96) Dutch Catholic Theologian, Writer
The quality of mercy is not strain’d,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
‘Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown;
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God’s
When mercy seasons justice…
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
That, in the course of justice, none of us
Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy;
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy…
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
To pray together, in whatever tongue or ritual, is the most tender brotherhood of hope and sympathy that man can contract in this life.
—Anne Louise Germaine de Stael (1766–1817) French Woman of Letters
I am used to praying when I am alone, thank God. But when I come together with other people, when I need more than ever to pray, I still cannot get used to it.
—Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) Russian Novelist
There are many things that are essential to arriving at true peace of mind, and one of the most important is faith, which cannot be acquired without prayer.
—John Wooden (1910–2010) American Sportsperson
Take God for your spouse and friend and walk with him continually, and you will not sin and will learn to love, and the things you must do will work out prosperously for you.
—John of the Cross (1542–1591) Spanish Roman Catholic Mystic
Today any successful and competent businessman will employ the latest and best-tested methods in production, distribution, and administration, and many are discovering that one of the greatest of all efficiency methods is prayer power.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
No one can pray well, but those who live well.
—Common Proverb
Asking for anything is allowed with the understanding that God’s answers come from God’s perspective. They are not always in harmony with our expectations, for only He knows the whole story.
—Unknown
Prayer at its best is the expression of the total life, for all things else being equal, our prayers are only as powerful as our lives.
—A. W. Tozer (1897–1963) American Christian Pastor, Preacher, Author, Editor
The more praying there is in the world, the better the world will be; the mightier the forces against evil everywhere.
—Edward McKendree Bounds (1835–1913) American Methodist Clergyman, Author, Lawyer
Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
If I regard wickedness in my heart the Lord will not hear.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Prayer is our most formidable weapon; the thing which makes all else we do efficient.
—Edward McKendree Bounds (1835–1913) American Methodist Clergyman, Author, Lawyer
Every time you pray, if your prayer is sincere, there will be new feeling and new meaning in it which will give you fresh courage and you will understand that prayer is an education.
—Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821–81) Russian Novelist, Essayist, Writer
Work as if you were to live 100 years, Pray as if you were to die To-morrow.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
The simple heart that freely asks in love, obtains.
—John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–92) American Quaker Poet, Abolitionist
We, ignorant of ourselves, beg often our own harms, which the wise powers deny us for our good; so we find profit by losing of our prayers.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Cleanse your heart before praying.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Prayer is the golden key that opens heaven.
—Thomas J. Watson, Sr. (1874–1956) American Business Executive
You can do more than pray after you have prayed but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.
—Samuel Dickey Gordon (1859–1936) American Evangelical Author, Minister
When prayer is a struggle, do not worry about the prayers that you cannot pray. You yourself are a prayer to God at that moment. All that is within you cries out to Him. And He hears all the pleas that your suffering soul and body are making to Him with groanings which cannot be uttered.
—Ole Hallesby (1879–1961) Norwegian Lutheran Theologian
O, do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men! Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks! Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle. But you shall be a miracle. Every day you shall wonder at yourself, at the richness of life which has come to you by the grace of God.
—Phillips Brooks (1835–93) American Episcopal Clergyman, Author
Prayer is a cry of distress, a demand for help, a hymn of love.
—Alexis Carrel (1873–1944) American Surgeon, Biologist