1921 Advice on Prayer for Preachers

What do you think? Is this advice still needed? “Prayer makes a heart preacher instead of a head preacher. Prayer puts the sermon in the preacher's heart; better still, prayer puts the preacher's heart in the sermon. The preachers who are mightiest in their closets with God are the mightiest in their pulpits with men. Prayer is the first thing, second thing, third thing, necessary for the ministry.” — Jan. 22, 1921, Pentecostal Evangel

"We can only pray"?

"We can do nothing, we say sometimes, we can only pray. That, we feel, is a terribly precarious second-best. So long as we can fuss and work and rush about, so long as we can lend a hand, we have some hope; but if we have to fall back upon God - ah, then things must be critical indeed!"

— A. J. Gossip

Last Resort?

"Prayer is the most powerful resource we have in this life; yet, many only turn to it as a last resort."

—Franklin Graham in April 18, 2010 Pentecostal Evangel

More Power

"Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers, pray for power equal to your tasks."

Phillips Brooks

Finney on Prayer

“[Charles] Finney was very clear on the need for prayer and the value of the work of the Holy Spirit. That this spiritual depth applied to his own life is why sinners, such as those in the cotton mill, could be so deeply affected by his presence. He walked with God. That is the true secret to Finney’s, or any other, revival. He once said, ‘A revival can be expected when Christians
have the spirit of prayer for a revival.’ ”

“Charles G. Finney: Groundbreaking Revivalist,” Ken Horn
Pentecostal Evangel, August 16, 2009

Jim Cymbala

“It’s tragic when God speaks and no one listens. That’s what happened to Amaziah [2 Chronicles 25]. That’s what happens to pastors who run churches by computers instead of hearing from the Holy Spirit. That’s what happens when we read church growth journals instead of seeking the Lord.”

Pastor Jim Cymbala, Brooklyn Tabernacle: “The Great Future of Pentecost” General Council of the Assemblies of God, Kansas City, MO, 8/9/01

E.M. Bounds

"Short, powerful, public prayers are the outcome of long secret intercession."

Pray or Preach?

Here is J.H. Jowett's opinion:

"I would rather teach one man to pray than ten men to preach."

Hindrances to Fellowship with God

“The greatest hindrance to fellowship [with God] is anything that keeps the soul occupied instead of leading it to God Himself.”

This can even be prayer and Bible study, says the author of the quote, Andrew Murray, in The Practice of God’s Presence (New Kensington, PA; Whitaker House, 1999), p. 404.

We usually think of this happening because of church "busyness." But if our prayers are too focused on needs or a list or pattern they can make prayer one-way. Even Bible study can short-circuit fellowship with God if we become so interested in the text we lose communion with the Living Word (Hebrews 4:12) and the Author, God's Holy Spirit.

Thanks to Judi Farrington for this quote.

Harmony First

"Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterwards. Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him.”

J. Hudson Taylor