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
It is vain to ask of the gods what man is capable of supplying for himself.
—Epicurus (c.341–270 BCE) Greek Philosopher
O Lord, you know what is best for me. Let this or that be done, as you please. Give what you will, how much you will, and when you will.
—Thomas a Kempis (1379–1471) German Religious Priest, Writer
When you pray, rather let your heart be without words than your words without heart.
—John Bunyan (1628–88) English Puritan Writer, Preacher
God answers prayer with certainty. Wish fulfillment is something else.
—Unknown
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
Though I am weak, yet God, when prayed, cannot withhold his conquering aid.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Begin to realize more and more that prayer is the most important thing you do. You can use your time to no better advantage than to pray whenever you have an opportunity to do so, either alone or with others; while at work, while at rest, or while walking down the street. Anywhere.
—Ole Hallesby (1879–1961) Norwegian Theologian, Preacher
The wish to pray is a prayer in itself. God can ask no more than that of us.
—Georges Bernanos (1888–1948) French Novelist, Polemicist
The cry of a young raven is nothing but the natural cry of a creature, but your cry, if it be sincere, is the result of a work of grace in your heart.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
The prayers of a lover are more imperious than the menaces of the whole world.
—George Sand (1804–76) French Novelist, Dramatist
Prayer is translation. A man translates himself into a child asking for all there is in a language he has barely mastered.
—Leonard Cohen (1934–2016) Canadian Singer, Songwriter, Poet, Novelist
Prayer only from the mouth is no prayer.
—Jamaican Proverb
I feel it is far better to begin with God, to see His face first, to get my soul near Him before it is near another. In general it is best to have at least one hour alone with God before engaging in anything else.
—Edward McKendree Bounds (1835–1913) American Methodist Clergyman, Author, Lawyer
Prayer is a wine which makes glad the heart of man.
—Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153) French Catholic Religious Leader
No man can hinder our private addresses to God; every man can build a chapel in his breast, himself the priest, his heart the sacrifice, and the earth he treads on, the altar.
—Jeremy Taylor
Pray is not artful monologue Of voice uplifted from the son; It is Love’s tender dialogue Between the soul and God.
—John Richard Moreland (1880–1947) American Poet, Editor
If a door slams shut it means that God is pointing to an open door further on down.
—Anna Delaney Peale (1875–1939) American Author
The value of the words uttered with the lips is determined by the devotion of the heart.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
We cannot ask in behalf of Christ what Christ would not ask Himself if He were praying.
—Albert Benjamin Simpson (1843–1919) Canadian Theologian, Author
No prayer is complete without presence.
—Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi (1207–73) Persian Muslim Mystic
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Faith, and hope, and patience and all the strong, beautiful, vital forces of piety are withered and dead in a prayerless life. The life of the individual believer, his personal salvation, and personal Christian graces have their being, bloom, and fruitage in prayer.
—Edward McKendree Bounds (1835–1913) American Methodist Clergyman, Author, Lawyer
Don’t pray when it rains if you don’t pray when the sun shines.
—Satchel Paige (1906–82) American Baseball Player
Call on God, but row away from the rocks.
—Indian Proverb
Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths, or the turning inwards in prayer for five short minutes.
—Etty Hillesum (1914–43) Jewish Diarist
Ordinarily when a man in difficulty turns to prayer, he has already tried every other means of escape.
—Austin O’Malley (1858–1932) American Aphorist, Ophthalmologist
The entire day receives order and discipline when it acquires unity. This unity must be sought and found in morning prayer. The morning prayer determines the day.
—Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–45) German Lutheran Pastor, Theologian
If we would have God in the closet, God must have us out of the closet. There is no way of praying to God, but by living to God.
—Edward McKendree Bounds (1835–1913) American Methodist Clergyman, Author, Lawyer
I used to pray that God would do this or that; now I pray that God will make His will known to me.
—Soong Mei-ling (1898–2003) First Lady of the Republic of China
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