A good man is willing to know the worst of himself, and particularly under affliction, desires to be told wherefore God contends with him and what God designs in correcting him.
Matthew HenryRead
Prayer is the breath of the new man, drawing in the air of mercy in petitions, and returning it in praises; it proves and maintains the spiritual life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Prayer is essential for spiritual growth, connecting the individual with divine mercy and fostering a life of praise.
In this quote, Matthew Henry emphasizes the fundamental role of prayer in the life of a believer. He likens prayer to breathing, suggesting that just as physical breath sustains life, prayer sustains spiritual existence. By engaging in prayer, individuals draw in mercy through their requests and reciprocate with gratitude through praises, thus nurturing their spiritual well-being and relationship with the divine.
Themes
PrayerSpiritualMercyPraiseLife
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about personal growth, one might say, 'As Matthew Henry eloquently puts it, prayer is the breath of the new man.'
More from Matthew Henry
All quotes βThere is a burden of care in getting riches; fear in keeping them; temptation in using them; guilt in abusing them; sorrow in losing them; and a burden of account at last to be given concerning them.
Matthew HenryRead
To wait on God is to live a life of desire toward Him, delight in Him, dependence on Him, and devotedness to Him.
Matthew HenryRead
Scriptures were written, not to satisfy our curiosity and make us astronomers, but to lead us to God, and make us saints.
Matthew HenryRead
What God requires of us he himself works in us, or it is not done. He that commands faith, holiness, and love, creates them by the power of his grace going along with his word, that he may have all the praise.
Matthew HenryRead
No attribute of God is more dreadful to sinners than His holiness.
Matthew HenryRead
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Prayer is not getting man's will done in heaven, but getting God's will done on earth. It is not overcoming God's reluctance but laying hold of God's willingness.
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