Prayer is nothing but the breathing that out before the Lord, that was first breathed into us by the Spirit of the Lord.
Interpretation
Prayer is a deep and spiritual connection with God, emphasizing that it originates from a divine inspiration within us.
In this quote, Thomas Brooks articulates the concept of prayer as an essential and intimate form of communication with God, which is initiated by the Holy Spirit. It suggests that our ability to pray is not solely a human endeavor but rather a response to the divine breath that has been imparted to us, highlighting the interconnectedness of humanity and the divine in our spiritual practices.
In practice
In a sermon discussing the importance of spiritual practices, utilize this quote to emphasize the nature of prayer.
Remember this-all the sighing, mourning, sobbing, and complaining in the world, does not so undeniably evidence a man to be humble, as his overlooking his own righteousness, and living really and purely upon the righteousness of Christ.
Grace and glory differ very little; the one is the seed, the other is the flower; grace is glory militant, glory is grace triumphant.
He is the best preacher, not that tickles the ear, but that breaks the heart.
Ah! sinner, remember this, there is no way on earth effectually to be rid of the guilt, filth, and power of sin, but by believing in a Saviour. It is not resolving, it is not complaining, it is not mourning, but believing, that will make thee divinely victorious over that body of sin that to this day is too strong for thee, and that will certainly be thy ruin, if it be not ruined by a hand of faith.
Self is the only oil that makes the chariot-wheels of the hypocrite move in all religious concerns.
Humility can weep over other men's weaknesses, and joy and rejoice over their graces.
When men abandon reason, physical force becomes their only means of dealing with one another and of settling disagreements.
We ask for long life, but 'tis deep life, or noble moments that signify. Let the measure of time be spiritual, not mechanical.
You can understand other people only as much as you understand yourself and only on the level of your own being. This means you can judge other people's knowledge but you cannot judge their being. You can see in them only as much as you have in yourself. But people always make the mistake of thinking they can judge other people's being. In reality, if they wish to meet and understand people of a higher development than themselves they must work with the aim of changing their being.
Being a geek is all about being honest about what you enjoy and not being afraid to demonstrate that affection. It means never having to play it cool about how much you like something. Itβs basically a license to proudly emote on a somewhat childish level rather than behave like a supposed adult. Being a geek is extremely liberating.
Countless religious innovators over the years have played the game of establishing an identity for themselves by accentuating their otherness.
It was easy enough to despise the world, but decidedly difficult to find any other habitable region.
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