Prayer is the easiest and hardest of all things; the simplest and the sublimest; the weakest and the most powerful; its results lie outside the range of human possibilities-they are limited only by the omnipotence of God.
Edward Mckendree BoundsRead
We may excuse the spiritual poverty of our preaching in many ways, but the true secret will be found in the lack of urgent prayer for God's presence in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Effective preaching relies on sincere prayer for divine presence and guidance.
This quote suggests that the spiritual depth and effectiveness of preaching can often be attributed to the preacher's commitment to prayer. When there is a lack of urgent prayer for God's presence and the power of the Holy Spirit, the preaching tends to be shallow, highlighting the essential role of prayer in deepening one's spiritual life and message.
Themes
PrayerSpiritualityPreachingHoly SpiritDivine Presence
In practice
Example use cases
During a church service, a pastor may share this quote to emphasize the importance of prayer in ministry.
More from Edward Mckendree Bounds
All quotes →Leaders in the realm of religious activity are to be judged by their praying habits and not by their money or social position. Those who must be placed in the forefront of the Church's business must be, first of all, men who know how to pray.
Edward Mckendree BoundsRead
No erudition, no purity of diction, no width of mental outlook, no flowers of eloquence, no grace of person can atone for lack of fire. Prayer ascends by fire. Flame gives prayer access as well as wings, acceptance as well as energy. There is no incense without fire; no prayer without flame.
Edward Mckendree BoundsRead
Importunity is a condition of prayer. We are to press the matter, not with vain repetitions, but with urgent repetitions. We repeat, not to count the times, but to gain the prayer. We cannot quit praying because heart and soul are in it. We pray "with all perseverance." We hang to our prayers because by them we live. We press our pleas because we must have them, or die.
Edward Mckendree BoundsRead
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 BoundsRead
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 BoundsRead
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A prayerless church member is a hindrance. He is in the body like a rotting bone or a decayed tooth. Before long, since he does not contribute to the benefit of his brethren, he will become a danger and a sorrow to them. Neglect of private prayer is the locust which devours the strength of the church.
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