The power of prayer in the life of an obedient Christian can only be undermined by neglect -- David Bentley-Taylor

There is too much time taken up with active work for the Kingdom. Surely if God's servants are to speak and preach in the power of the Holy Spirit they must again give themselves continually to prayer. . . -- Andrew Bonar

Of all the promises connected with the command, "ABIDE IN ME", there is none higher, and none that sooner brings the confession, "Not that I have already attained, or am already made perfect," than this: "If ye abide in me, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you." Power with God is the highest attainment of the life of full abiding -- Andrew Murray

Power from on high is a bestowal, rich in measure, of the force and energy that pertains only to God. The Master transmits this power to His messenger only in answer to the longing, wrestling attitude of his soul. The messenger is conscious of his own impotency and seeks the omnipotence of the Lord he serves. He seeks Gods power in order that he may more fully understand the given Word and preach it to his fellowmen. The power from on high may be found in combination with all sources of human power, but it is not to be confused with them, is not dependent on them, and must never be superceded by them. Whatever the human gift, talent, or force a preacher may possess, it is not to be made paramount, or even conspicuous. It must be hidden, lost, and overshadowed by this power from on high. The forces of intellect, and culture may be present, but without this inward, heaven-given power, all spiritual effort is vain and unsuccessful -- E. M. Bounds

I live in the spirit of prayer; I pray as I walk, when I lie down and when I rise, and the answers are always coming. -- George Mueller

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you" -- John 15:16

God wants to give you many things, but He will not give them until you pray. By prayer you're actually opening the door to let God do the things He wants to do. I believe we have seen only a small fraction of what God has wanted to do - because of our lack of prayer -- Chuck Smith, "Effective Prayer Life"

Our flesh rebels against prayer because it's an exercise of the spirit. That is why I get so tired as soon as I start to pray. I say, "I'm too sleepy, Lord." My flesh is rebelling against the spiritual exercise of prayer. The spirit and flesh are always warring against each other. Whenever I enter into spiritual exercise, my flesh rebels against it. I find any excuse possible. "I'm too upset to pray" or "I'm too weak to pray." -- Chuck Smith, "Effective Prayer Life"

God has ordained that His work on earth be wrought through prayer and by our agreeing together in prayer -- Chuck Smith, "Effective Prayer Life"

In Psalms it declares that the Hebrew nation "limited the Holy One of Israel" (Psalm 78:41). An unlimited God was limited by man's unbelief. What is it that keeps you from prayer? Unbelief. You can actually limit the work God wants to do by your unbelief -- Chuck Smith, "Effective Prayer Life"

Samuel had prayed that God would change the people's minds so they would no longer insist on a king. Samuel wanted God to rule and reign over the nation. But after all his prayers the children of Israel still insisted on a king. Samuel easily could have become disgusted and said, "I'm not going to pray for those stubborn, stiff-necked people anymore! They have what they asked for. Let them reap the consequences." But he didn't. He said to them, "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you." (I Samuel 12:23) -- Chuck Smith, "Effective Prayer Life"

As far as time is concerned, we must discipline ourselves and take time for prayer. You'll never find time to pray. You must make time. Life is made up of priorities. Since you can never do all that you want to do, you must always sacrifice the less important things for the more important ones. A wise man makes good use of his time and keeps his priorities in proper perspective. Prayer is the most important activity you could ever engage in. It should be at the top of your priority list of things to do. You need to take the time for prayer even if you have to skip your time to eat or read the evening newspaper! -- Chuck Smith, "Effective Prayer Life"

...find a place that is undisturbed. It may take some doing, but make the effort. Many times I go for a walk or take a drive to get alone with the Lord. I also wake up much earlier than the rest of my family. Prayer is more important to me than my sleep, and the phone rings very seldom in the early morning -- Chuck Smith, "Effective Prayer Life"

To keep my mind from wandering, I usually vocalize my prayers. It's true that God knows what's in my heart, but when I try to pray out of my heart my mind often wanders. For a moment I'm thinking, "Lord, take care of this and that. Thank you for this" and pretty soon I'm surfing again! But when I vocalize my prayer, I have to think about what I'm saying. That causes me to concentrate on my conversation with the Lord -- Chuck Smith, "Effective Prayer Life"

You'll never find time to pray. You must make time -- Chuck Smith, "Effective Prayer Life"

Prayer is the most important activity you could ever engage in. It should be at the top of your priority list of things to do -- Chuck Smith, "Effective Prayer Life"

I have learned by experience that it is not much labor but much prayer that is the only means to success -- Andrew Bonar

I have been endeavoring to keep up prayer at this season every hour of the day, stopping my occupation, whatever it is, to pray a little. I seek to keep my soul within the shadow of the throne of grace and Him that sits thereon -- Andrew Bonar

He was always on his knees when I went to bed, and on his knees long before I was up in the morning, though I was up with the dawn. He would also light the lamp several times in the night, and feast on some passages of the Word, and then have a little talk with the Master. He sometimes remained on his knees the whole day. The Spirit made him an object-lesson to us, that we might have a better idea of Christ's prayer life -- J. Pengwern Jones, on the prayer life of John Hyde   >>Read "Praying Hyde" excerpt

You must go forward on your knees -- Hudson Taylor's advice to a young Jonathan Goforth

If revival is being withheld from us it is because some idol remains still enthroned; because we still insist in placing our reliance in human schemes; because we still refuse to face the unchangeable truth that 'It is not by might, but by My Spirit' -- Jonathan Goforth

One of our troubles is we are not willing to humble ourselves. We are not willing to give up our opinions as to how things should be done. We want a revival to come just in our way. You never saw two revivals come just alike. We must let them come in God's way. People are ashamed to admit they need a revival. If you are not willing to take the shame on yourself, you then let it remain on Jesus Christ. You must bear the reproach of your sinful state of indifference, or the cause of our Master must bear it -- Mordecai Ham

I was in a meeting in Illinois where more than twenty preachers were present, every day a prayer meeting was held at six o'clock. Three mornings the hour came, but not one of the twenty preachers were there. My soul was stirred within me. If alive to God, would they not have been there to take hold of the blessing of God for the people who would gather there through the day? Awake beloved preacher of the Gospel!" "You have not, because you ask not." James 4:2. -- Sarah Cooke

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name -- Matthew 6:9 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear me. -- David, Psalm 55:17

Men ought always to pray, and not faint -- Bible, Luke 18:1

Prayer can never be in excess -- C. H. Spurgeon

... for My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations -- Isaiah 56:7

You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed. -- A. J. Gordon

Revivals are among the charter rights of the Church . . . A revival means a heartbroken pastor. A revival means a church on its knees confessing its sins - the sins of the individual and of the Church - confessing the sins of the times and of the community -- E. M. Bounds

Dont waste your time constantly striving and wrangling with those who dont share your vision and passion for revival. Get in the prayer closet and unburden your broken heart to the Father. Give yourself to fervent prayer and dont stop until the glory comes. Ask the Lord to send people into your life with a similar gift and vision. Read the classic works on the great moves of God. The Father wants you to nurture this passion and vision for something MORE, but you will have to make sacrifices in order to keep it. The larger the vision, the lonelier the path you will have to walk. A GOD size vision ALWAYS requires a great amount of grace, love and humility -- David Smithers

Let none expect to have the mastery over his inward corruption in any degree, without going in weakness again and again to the Lord for strength. Nor will prayer for others, or conversing with the brethren, make up for secret prayer. -- George Mueller

Example is the best and really the only teacher. All else is mere philosophizing, counseling, and instructing. Christ counselled men to pray, but also led the way to the prayer chamber -- Leonard Ravenhill

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; [It shall] yet [come to pass], that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: And the inhabitants of one [city] shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also -- Zec 8:20-21

I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, [which] shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, And give Him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. -- Isa 62:6,7

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for [it is] time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you -- Hosea 10:12

My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me -- Psalms 63:8

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God -- Psalms 42:1

From my closet, I can touch a world -- Chuck Smith, "Effective Prayer Life"

In prayer all our knowledge about God kindles into life -- Reginald E. O. White

We must either be praying or fainting - there is no other alternative [Luke 18:1] -- Ray C. Stedman, "Talking To My Father"

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints -- Ephesians 6:18

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness -- Acts 4:31

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? -- Luke 11:13

All our libraries and studies are mere emptiness compared with our closets. Our seasons of fasting and prayer at the Tabernacle have been high days indeed; never has heaven's gate stood wider; never have our hearts been nearer the central Glory -- C. H. Spurgeon

The story of every great Christian achievement is the history of answered prayer. -- E. M. Bounds

The greatest and best talent that God gives to any man or woman in this world is the talent of prayer. -- Alexander Whyte

The world needs more true praying to save it from the reign and ruin of Satan. -- E.M. Bounds

Prayer "is the root, the fountain, the mother of a thousand blessings." -- Chrysostom

Prayer is the supreme way to be workers together with God. -- Wesley L. Duewel

Prayer is the master strategy that God gives for the defeat and rout of Satan. -- Wesley L. Duewel

Prayer is God's ordained way to bring His miracle power to bear in human need. -- Wesley L. Duewel

Walking with God down the avenue of prayer we acquire something of His likeness, and unconsciously we become witnesses to others of His beauty and His grace. -- E. M. Bounds

Prayer is the greatest of all forces, because it honors God and brings him into active aid. -- E.M. Bounds

The first and last stages of holy living are crowned with praying. -- E.M. Bounds

The conditions of praying are the conditions of righteousness, holiness, and salvation. -- E. M. Bounds

Sainthood's piety is made, refined, perfected, by prayer. The gospel moves with slow and timid pace when the saints are not at their prayers early and late and long. -- E. M. Bounds

Heaven is too busy to listen to half-hearted prayers or to respond to pop-calls. -- E. M. Bounds

Praying men must be strong in hope, and faith, and prayer. -- E. M. Bounds

Jesus taught that perseverance is the essential element in prayer. -- E. M. Bounds

The goal of prayer is the ear of God. -- E. M. Bounds

How long will it take us to learn that our shortest route to the man next door is by way of God's throne? -- A. T. Pierson

I would rather train twenty men to pray, than a thousand to preach; - A minister's highest mission ought to be to teach his people to pray -- H. MacGregor

To arouse one man or woman to the tremendous power of prayer for others, is worth more than the combined activity of a score of average Christians -- A. J. Gordon

The missionary church is a praying church. The history of missions is a history of prayer. Everything vital to the success of the world's evangelization hinges on prayer. Are thousands of missionaries and tens of thousands of native workers needed? Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He send forth laborers into His harvest. -- John R. Mott

This season of waiting is always an essential qualification for successful service. God would have His children realize the utter inadequacy of all human means to accomplish His gigantic purposes, that thus the praise and glory might be afterwards ascribed exclusively to Him. The disciples were given ten days to review the field of battle, to recognize the difficulties that bristled round on every side, to measure the adversaries' strength, and to understand their own helplessness and weakness; thus were they driven to their knees in earnest, anxious prayer. Then came the answer. The promise was fulfilled, and the power stored up in the almighty Savior was brought down to His disciples in the person of the Holy Spirit -- Hugh D. Brown

Today, we are living in desperate times. Yet, the Church is not desperate before God in prayer -- Chuck Smith, "Effective Prayer Life"

Prayer is the most important activity a born-again Christian can engage in. It should head your list of priorities, for certainly the world around us desperately needs prayer. Prayer will open the door for God to do a glorious work in these last days. Prayer will stem the tide of evil -- Chuck Smith, "Effective Prayer Life"

We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against spirit powers and principalities, thus the weapons of our warfare cannot be carnal. Prayer is the most potent weapon that we possess in our spiritual arsenal and by it we can pull down the strongholds of the enemy. -- Chuck Smith, "Effective Prayer Life"

The Christian has one source of power in his life: the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you" (Acts 1:8). He is the source of power in your life. However, your greatest outlet of spiritual power is prayer. I can do more for God through prayer than I can through any other means, including service. Prayer binds the strong man of the house, whereas service is going in and taking the spoil. I can do more than pray after I have prayed, but I really can't do more than pray until I have prayed. My service to God, though important, is limited to one place. Prayer, however, is limitless in its scope. It can reach around the world -- Chuck Smith, "Effective Prayer Life"

Through prayer I can spend one-half hour of my life in South America, doing work for the kingdom of God by strengthening the hands of the missionaries. Then I can go to Mexico and spend some time with my friends who are ministering there. I can help them in their ministry by praying for the effectiveness of the tracts they distribute and the words they speak. Then I can move into China and pray for the church there. I can touch a world for God through prayer right from my own closet -- Chuck Smith, "Effective Prayer Life"

The true man of God is heartsick, grieved at the worldliness of the Church...grieved at the toleration of sin in the Church, grieved at the prayerlessness in the Church. He is disturbed that the corporate prayer of the Church no longer pulls down the strongholds of the devil -- Leonard Ravenhill

Are the churches in a right condition when they have only one meeting for prayer in a week, and that a mere skeleton? -- C. H. Spurgeon

A prayerless man is proud and independent, and any church that neglects corporate prayer is sadly no better. Only God's humble and needy children take the time to pray. Everyone else is just going through the motions and naively trusting in their own strength! -- David Smithers

God has no greater controversy with His people today than this, that with boundless promises to believing prayer, there are so few who actually give themselves unto intercession -- A. T. Pierson

Prayer should not be regarded "as a duty which must be performed, but rather as a privilege to been joyed, a rare delight that is always revealing some new beauty." -- E.M. Bounds

Lest some should think that such prayer is only for the faithless or legalistic, let me remind you that Jesus also gave us an example of this kind of intense and fervent prayer. In Hebrews 5:7, the scriptures tell us that, "During the days of Jesus life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears" Jesus consistently gave Himself to the practice of agonizing and fervent prayer -- David Smithers

...is there really any such thing as a Christian who genuinely LOVES the souls of men who fails to passionately pray for them? -- David Smithers

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone -- Matthew 14:23

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed -- Mark 1:35

And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray -- Mark 6:46

And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed -- Luke 5:16 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God -- Luke 6:12

And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground -- Luke 22:44

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared -- Hbr 5:7

The true church lives and moves and has its being in prayer. -- Leonard Ravenhill

Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak -- Col 4:3,4

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have [free] course, and be glorified, even as [it is] with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all [men] have not faith -- 2Th 3:1,2

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly [is] plenteous, but the labourers [are] few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest -- Mat 9:36-38

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me -- Jhn 17:20,21

We must take time to become filled with His power; we must take time to be holy. Let us put our desires into one heart-felt petition for a baptism of the Holy Ghost, and not cease to present it until we have prevailed. So Elijah prayed; he threw himself on the ground, resolved not to rise again till his request was granted. So Jacob WRESTLED with the angel. So Daniel set his face unto the Lord his God. So the disciples continued with one accord in prayer and supplication! -- Griffith John

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. -- Rom 10:1 ; Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee -- Psa 122:6

Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith -- 1Th 3:10

Epaphras, who is [one] of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God -- Col 4:12

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him -- Act 12:5

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen -- Eph 3:14-21

And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before -- Job 42:10

Solitude, however indispensable, is not sufficient. God speaks to companies of men as He never speaks to solitary watchers or students; there is a fuller tone, an intenser ferver, in pentecostal revelations than in personal communion, and there is a keener job than can be realized in the devoutest solitude -- Andrew Murray

Prayer for revival will prevail when it is accompanied by radical amendment of life; not before. -- A.W.Tozer, "The Pursuit of God"

"Too busy; O forgive, Dear Lord, that I should ever be, too much engrossed in earthly tasks, to spend an hour with thee." -- A.B. Christiansen

"O, let the place of secret prayer become to me the most beloved spot on earth." -- Andrew Murray

"The secret of praying is praying in secret." -- Leonard Ravenhill

"Prayer itself is an art which only the Holy Ghost can teach us. He is the giver of all prayer. Pray for prayer- pray till you can pray." -- C. H. Spurgeon

And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak -- Matt 26:40,41

We may not all be called to go to the ends of the earth and preach, but every one of us have been called to GO to the closet and PRAY! -- David Smithers

God's children should pray. They should cry day and night to Him. God hears every one of your cries in the busy hour of the daytime and in the lonely watches of the night. -- Robert Murray McCheyne

A man may study because his brain is hungry for knowledge, even Bible knowledge. But he prays because his soul is hungry for God. -- Leonard Ravenhill

Prayer succeeds when all else fails. -- E.M. Bounds

This generation desperately needs it's Praying Hydes, as well as it's weeping prophets, etc. All evangelistic and missionary efforts are only as effective as the praying saints who stand behind them doing battle with the enemy on the spiritual front. So few in this generation really understand that. -- Gary Fix

We can never expect to grow in the likeness of our Lord unless we follow His example and give more time to communion with the Father. A revival of real praying would produce a spiritual revolution. -- E. M. Bounds

If the church be on its knees, the world will be on its feet -- Evan Roberts

Bend the church and save the world -- Evan Roberts

Brethren, if there be only one among us that can pray as Daniel did, with intensity, the blessing will come. Let this encourage any earnest man or woman here that fears that others are not excited to prayer as they should be. Dear brother, do you undertake it? Dear sister, in God's name, do you undertake it? and God will send a blessing to many through the prayer of one. But how much better would it be if many a score of men here, ay, the entire Church of God, were stirred up to this, that we give Him no rest until He establish and make Jerusalem a praise in the earth! Oh! that our prayers could get beyond praying, till they got to agonizing -- C. H. Spurgeon (on Daniel 9:19)

I said to myself: "I will have the Spirit". And through all weather, and in spite of all difficulties, I went to the meetings... Prayer meeting Monday evening at the chapel; prayer meeting Tuesday evening at Pisgah (Sunday School branch); Church meeting Wednesday evening; Band of Hope Thursday; class Friday evening... For ten or eleven years I have prayed for a revival. I could sit up all night to read or talk about revivals. It was the Spirit that moved me to think about revival -- Evan Roberts

Holy living is essential preparation for prayer. -- E. M. Bounds

Prayer is not the cunning art of using God, subjecting Him to one's selfish ends in an effort to get out of Him what you want. -- F.J. Huegel

[prayer is] "a silent surrendering of everything to God." -- Soren Kierkegaard

All that true prayer seeks is God Himself, for with Him we get all we need. -- The Kneeling Christian

The greatest blow sent Satan-ward is made by weeping warriors of prayer. -- Dick Eastman

[regarding prayer] "Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God." -- Bob Pierce

Although God certainly knows all our needs, praying for them changes our attitude from complaint to praise, and enables us to participate in God's personal plans of our lives -- Ray C. Stedman, "Talking To My Father"

We must either be praying or fainting - there is no other alternative [Luke 18:1] -- Ray C. Stedman, "Talking To My Father"

True prayer is an awareness of our helpless need, and acknowledgment of divine adequacy -- Ray C. Stedman, "Talking To My Father"

I never prayed sincerely and earnestly for anything but it came at some time; no matter at how distant a day, somehow, in some shape, probably the least I would have devised, it came. -- Adoniram Judson

I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice [and] my supplications -- Psa 116:1

Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon [him] as long as I live -- Psa 116:2

What shall I render unto the LORD [for] all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD -- Psa 116:12-13

Let me burn out for God. After all, whatever God may appoint, prayer is the great thing. Oh, that I might be a man of prayer! -- Henry Martyn

Our prayer must not be self-centered. It must arise not only because we feel our own need as a burden we must lay upon God, but also because we are so bound up in love for our fellow men that we feel their need as acutely as our own. To make intercession for men is the most powerful and practical way in which we can express our love for them. -- John Calvin

Only turning God's house into a house of fervent prayer will reverse the power of evil so evident in the world today. -- Jim Cymbala

I learned as never before that persistent calling upon the Lord breaks through every stronghold of the devil, for nothing is impossible with God. For Christians in these troubled times, there is simply no other way. -- Jim Cymbala, in Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire

Prayer always precedes Pentecost. The Book of Acts describes many outpourings of the Holy Spirit, but never apart from prayer. In our own day the great Welsh and Korean revivals were preceded by months, if not years, of importunate and united praying. Hence the supreme importance of the prayer meeting, for it is the power-house of the church' -- John Greenfield, "The Advance Guard: 200 Years of Moravian Missions", London, Moravian Book Room, 1932 [See "One Accord" menu, for details of the astounding 24/7 Moravian prayer vigil that lasted 100 YEARS!]

The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray. -- Samuel Chadwick

The greatest hindrance to effective prayer is sin. Satan's greatest goal is to keep us from our knees. -- Dick Eastman

We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties. -- Oswald Chambers

Faith in a prayer-hearing God will make a prayer-loving Christian. -- Andrew Murray

You see preacher, you've only two things to do, not twenty two. You are not supposed to be the janitor and running a business and finding about the church's bank balance and all that junk. If you are going to be a true Biblical preacher you got two things to do according to Acts 6:4, give yourself continually to prayer and the Word of God -- Leonard Ravenhill The ministry of preaching is open to a few. The ministry of praying is open to every child of God -- Leonard Ravenhill

O Brother, pray; in spite of Satan, pray; spend hours in prayer; rather neglect friends than not pray; rather fast and lose breakfast, dinner, tea, and supper - and sleep too - than not pray. And we must not talk about prayer, we must pray in right earnest. The Lord is near. He comes softly while the virgins slumber. -- Andrew Bonar

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. -- James 5:16 KJV

The battle of prayer is against two things in the earthlies: wandering thoughts, and lack of intimacy with God's character as revealed in His word. Neither can be cured at once, but they can be cured by discipline. -- Oswald Chambers

The devil is not terribly frightened of our human efforts and credentials. But he knows his kingdom will be damaged when we begin to lift up our hearts to God. -- Jim Cymbala

Prayer, real prayer, is lethal to Satan's cause. -- Selected

Prayer breaks all bars, dissolves all chains, opens all prisons, and widens all straits by which God's saints have been held. -- E. M. Bounds

Prayer is repeating the victor's name (Jesus) into the ears of Satan and insisting on his retreat. -- S. D. Gordon

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. -- James 4:7 KJV

Satan laughs at our toiling, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray. -- The Kneeling Christian

He who knows how to overcome with God in prayer has heaven and earth at his disposal. -- C. H. Spurgeon

Even so, to our knees, O Christians! Desist the folly of sprinkling today's individual and international iniquity with theological rose water! Turn loose against this putrefaction those mighty rivers of weeping, of prayer, and of unctionized preaching until all be cleansed. -- Leonard Ravenhill

The coming revival must begin with a great revival of prayer. It is in the closet, with the door shut, that the sound of abundance of rain will first be heard. An increase of secret prayer with ministers will be the sure harbinger of blessing. -- Andrew Murray

Prayer is the only adequate way to multiply our efforts fast enough to reap the harvest God desires. -- Wesley L. Duewel

A life growing in its purity and devotion will be a more prayerful life. -- E. M. Bounds

Pray alone. Let prayer be the key of the morning and the bolt at night. The best way to fight against sin is to fight it on our knees. -- Philip Henry

Holiness is not to love Jesus and do whatever you want. Holiness is to love God and do what He wants. -- C. Peter Wagner

Many today when speaking of the need for revival in North America seem to focus mainly on the restoration of America's former glory and prosperity. However, God often sends revival in order to prepare His Church for times of great suffering and tribulation. Have we forgotten about "The Great Awakening" that radically transformed the American colonies and prepared our forefathers for the Revolutionary War and the founding of our nation? In 1857-58 our nation was once again shaken by a mighty revival. This revival prepared thousands of men to face death and eternity on the killing fields of the Civil War in the years 1861-1865. At the turn of the last century revival broke out again in Wales, India, China and America, only to be shortly followed by World War I in 1914. The coming of a revival is not always a guarantee for national peace and prosperity, but rather revival is often the providence of God to prepare us for suffering - David Smithers

There are some spiritual conditions that cannot be accomplished in a moment. The breaking up of the fallow ground takes time; the frosts of winter are as necessary as the rains of spring to prepare the soil for fertility. God has to break our hearts to pieces by the slow process of His discipline, and grind every particle to powder, and then to mellow us and saturate us with His blessed Spirit, until we are open for the blessing He has to give us. Oh, let us wait upon the Lord with brokenness of heart, with openness of soul, with willingness of spirit, to hear what God the Lord will say! -- A. B. Simpson, "The Life of Prayer"

"So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: 'For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.'" (Gen 32:30) The happiest heart in the world is that in which faith and prayer have undisturbed rule. The truth of this statement follows from the fact that faith has the key of heaven; and prayer has the ear of God. And who is as happy as the man who is always free to enter within the veil and hold communion there? Beseech the Spirit to fan these graces into a bright flame. With this desire let us hasten to Peniel and tarry there until a holy fire is kindled! -- Henry Law

Holiness is as indispenable for a spiritual warrior as is eyesight for a military fighter pilot. -- C. Peter Wagner

God uses prayer to educate His people and to produce holiness of character in them. -- Harold Lindsell

The Holy Spirit is the greatest teacher of prayer. Lord, teach us to pray. -- Selected

If I should neglect prayer but a single day, I should lose a great deal of the fire of faith. -- Martin Luther

The man who has gotten God's word in the prayer closet neither seeks nor expects encouragement from men for the delivery of that word. the Spirit Himself bears witness of the approval. -- Leonard Ravenhill

He only can truly pray who is all aglow for holiness, for God, and for heaven. -- E. M. Bounds

The stream of praying cannot rise higher than the fountain of living. -- E. M. Bounds

Nothing you can do will benefit you more than prayer. -- Paul Y. Cho

When God intends great mercy for His people, the first thing He does is set them a-praying. -- Matthew Henry

God's command to "pray without ceasing" is founded on the necessity we have of his grace to preserve the life of God in the soul, which can no more subsist one moment without it, than the body can without air. -- John Wesley

Whether we think of, or speak to, God, whether we act or suffer for him, all is prayer, when we have no other object than his love, and the desire of pleasing him. -- John Wesley

All that a Christian does, even in eating and sleeping, is prayer, when it is done in simplicity, according to the order of God, without either adding to or diminishing from it by His choice. -- John Wesley

Prayer continues in the desire of the heart, though the understanding be employed on outward things. -- John Wesley

Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct [my prayer] unto thee, and will look up -- Psalms 5:1-3

In souls filled with love, the desire to please God is continual prayer. -- John Wesley

God only requires of his adult children, that their hearts be truly purified, and that they offer him continually the wishes and vows that naturally spring from perfect love. For these desires, being the genuine fruits of love, are the most perfect prayers that can spring from it. -- John Wesley

To pray with bitterness toward fellowmen nullifies hours on our knees. -- Dick Eastman

Prayer is the highest order of business, for it links a powerless human to the creative force of God's sovereign power. -- Selected

The price of prayerlessness far exceeds the price of prayer. -- Selected

The prayer of faith is the only power in the universe to which the Great Jehovah yields. Prayer is the sovereign remedy. -- Robert Hall

If the spirit of prayer departs, it is a sure indication of a backslidden heart, for while the first love of a Christian continues he is sure to be drawn by the Holy Spirit to wrestle much in prayer. -- Charles G. Finney, in Revival Lectures

To pray as a duty and as if obliging God by our prayer, is quite ridiculous, and is certain indication of a backslidden heart. -- Charles G. Finney

Probably in the Day of Judgment it will be found that nothing is ever done by the truth, used ever so zealously, unless there is a spirit of prayer somewhere in connection with the presentation of truth. -- Charles G. Finney

Prevailing , or effectual prayer, is that prayer which attains the blessing that it seeks. -- Charles G. Finney

When Christians are united, and praying as they ought, God opens the windows of heaven, and pours out His blessing till there is not room to receive it -- unknown

Prayer is the vital breath of the Christian; not the thing that makes him alive, but the evidence that he is alive. -- Oswald Chambers

A prayer-meeting is an index to the state of religion in a Church. -- Charles G. Finney

Never say you will pray about a thing; pray about it. -- Oswald Chambers

Nothing is clearer than that prayer has its only worth and significance in the great fact that God hears and answers prayer. -- E. M. Bounds

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear me. -- David, Psalm 55:17

Those who know God the best are the richest and most powerful in prayer. Little acquaintance with God, and strangeness and coldness to Him, make prayer a rare and feeble thing. -- E. M. Bounds

...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. -- James 5:16b

Four things let us ever keep in mind: God hears prayer, God heeds prayer, God answers prayer, and God delivers by prayer. -- E. M. Bounds

Prayer is the acid test of devotion. -- Samuel Chadwick

The missionary church is a praying church. The history of missions is a history of prayer. Everything vital to the success of the world's evangelization hinges on prayer. Are thousands of missionaries and tens of thousands of native workers needed? Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He send forth laborers into His harvest. -- John R. Mott

The only power that God will yield to is that of prayer. -- Leonard Ravenhill

One of the cornerstones of a healthy church is having people who are faithful in prayer. -- Selected

We don't have praying churches, just praying people who make up praying churches. -- Selected

It is always too soon to quit praying, even when praying is the last thing we seem able to do. -- Harold Lindsell, in When You Pray

Pray without ceasing. -- Thessalonians 5:17

As is the business of tailors to make clothes and cobblers to make shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray. -- Martin Luther

Prayerlessness is sin. -- Harold Lindsell

God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you. -- 1 Sam 12:23

Prayerlessness is disobedience, for God's command is that men ought always to pray and not faint. To be prayerless is to fail God, for He says, "Ask of me." -- Leonard Ravenhill, "Revival Praying"

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. -- Jer. 33:3

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God -- Psalms 42:1

Prayer is my chief work, and it is by means of it that I carry on the rest. -- Thomas Hooker, Puritan

The prayer life does not consist of perpetual repetition of petitions. The prayer life consists of life that is always upward and onward and Godward. -- George Campbell Morgan

All things can be done by importunate prayer. That is the teaching of Jesus Christ. -- E. M. Bounds

Notice, we never pray for folks we gossip about, and we never gossip about the folk for whom we pray! For prayer is a great detergent. -- Leonard Ravenhill

We learn prayer's deepest depths in prayer, not from books. We reach prayer's highest heights in prayer, not from sermons. The only place to learn prayer, is in prayer, bent and broken on our knees - Dick Eastman, No Easy road

Prayer wonderfully clears the vision; steadies the nerves; defines duty; stiffens the purpose; sweetens and strengthens the spirit. -- S.D. Gordon

I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer. -- Martin Luther

The secret of all failure is our failure in secret prayer. -- The Kneeling Christian

People may spurn our appeals, reject our messages, oppose our arguments, despise our persons; but they are helpless against our prayers. -- Thomas Lindberg.

We must bear in mind that mere resolutions to take more time for prayer and to conquer reluctance to pray will not prove lastingly effective unless there is a whole hearted and absolute surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ. -- The Kneeling Christian

Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins and thankful acknowledgment of His mercies. -- The Kneeling Christian (Also, see Philippians 4:8)

The prayer of the saints is never self-important, but always God-important. -- Oswald Chambers Unless the heart is right the prayer must be wrong. -- The Kneeling Christian

There is no greater test to spirituality than prayer. The man who tries to pray quickly discovers just where he stands in God's sight. -- The Kneeling Christian

Prayer is not given us as a burden to be borne or an irksome duty to fulfill, but to be a joy and power to which there is no limit. -- The Kneeling Christian

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. -- Hebrews 4:16 A

ll hindrance to prayer arises from ignorance of the teaching of God's Holy Word on the life of holiness He has planned for all His children or from an unwillingness to consecrate ourselves fully to Him. -- The Kneeling Christian

...prayer is partnership with God in His planet-sized purposes, and includes the "all things" beside, as an important detail of the whole. -- S. D. Gordon

God's greatest agency; man's greatest agency, for defeating the enemy and winning men back is intercession. -- S. D. Gordon

The mightiest prayers are often those drenched with the Word of God. -- Herbert Lockyer

...True prayer is measured by weight,-not by length. A single groan before God may have more fullness of prayer in it than a fine oration of great length. -- C. H. Spurgeon

If you want that splendid power in prayer, you must remain in loving, living, lasting, conscious, practical, abiding union with the Lord Jesus Christ. -- C. H. Spurgeon

When God's mercies are coming, their footfalls are our desires to pray. -- C. H. Spurgeon

God will hear His people at the beginning of their prayers if the condition of their heart is ready for it. -- C. H. Spurgeon

A true prayer is an inventory of needs, a catalog of necessities, an exposure of secret wounds, a revelation of hidden poverty. -- C. H. Spurgeon

Prayer plumes the wings of God's young eaglets so that they may learn to mount above the clouds. Prayer brings inner strength to God's warriors and sends them forth to spiritual battle with their muscles firm and their armor in place. -- C. H. Spurgeon

Prayer is not a hard requirement- it is the natural duty of a creature to its creator, the simplest homage that human need can pay to divine liberality. - C. H. Spurgeon

God's mercy visits every house where night and morning prayers are made, but where these are neglected, sin is incurred. -- C. H. Spurgeon

Our prayers may be very beautiful in appearance and might appear to be the very paragon of devotion, but unless there is a secret spiritual force in them, they are vain things. -- C. H. Spurgeon

Prayer is the first thing, the second thing, the third thing necessary to a minister. Pray, then, my dear brother; pray, pray, pray. -- Edward Payson

Little praying is a kind of make believe, a salve for the conscience, a farce and a delusion. -- E. M. Bounds

Importunate praying is the earnest inward movement of the heart toward God. -- E. M. Bounds

No principle is more definitely enforced by Christ than that prevailing prayer must have in it the quality which waits and perseveres, the courage that never surrenders, the patience which never grows tired, the resolution that never wavers. -- E. M. Bounds

The word of God is the food by which prayer is nourished and made strong. -- E. M. Bounds

Prayer is not a load to be carried but a gift to be enjoyed. -- Selected

There is nothing to be valued more highly than to have people praying for us; God links up his power in answer to their prayers. -- Oswald Chambers

Our greatest victories are won on our knees and with empty stomachs -- Julio C. Ruibal

Continue in prayer, and though the blessing tarry, it must come; in God's own time it must appear to you. -- C. H. Spurgeon

...a man who kneels before God will stand before men. -- Leonard Ravenhill

...he that is never on his knees on earth, shall never stand upon his feet in heaven. -- C. H. Spurgeon

If your faith does not make you pray, have nothing to do with it: get rid of it, and God help thee to begin again. -- C. H. Spurgeon

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name -- Matthew 6:9

When we discern that people are not going on spiritually and allow the discernment to turn to criticism, we block our way to God. God never gives us discernment in order that we may criticize, but that we may intercede. -- Oswald Chambers

Without set times of prayer, the spirit of prayer will be dull and feeble. Without the continual prayerfulness, the set times will not avail. -- Andrew Murray

Scripture calls us to pray for many things: for all saints; for all men; for kings and all rulers; for all who are in adversity; for the sending forth of laborers; for those who labor in the gospel; for all converts; for believers who have fallen into sin; for one another in our immediate circles. -- Andrew Murray

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is His delight. -- Proverbs 15:7

It takes a tremendous amount of reiteration on God's part before we understand what prayer is. We do not pray at all until we are at our wits' end. -- Oswald Chambers

The Ministry of Prayer, if it be anything worthy of the Name, is a ministry of ardor, a ministry of unwearied and intense longing after God and His holiness. -- E. M. Bounds

The revelation of our spiritual standing is what we ask in prayer; sometimes what we ask is an insult to God; we ask with our eyes on the possibilities or on ourselves, not on Jesus Christ. -- Oswald Chambers

...our Lord prayed because He was concentrated on God; that is, He did not worship prayer. -- Oswald Chambers

...in times of declension we are inclined to place the need of prayer instead of penitent approach to God in the fore front. -- Oswald Chambers

The purpose of prayer is the maintenance of fitness in an ideal relationship with God amid conditions which ought not to be merely ideal but really actual. -- Oswald Chambers

...by prayer we lay hold on God and He unites us into His consciousness. -- Oswald Chambers

The purpose of prayer is to reveal the presence of God equally present all the time in every condition. -- Oswald Chambers

Our Lord did not say it was wrong to pray in the corners of the street, but He did say it was wrong to have the motive to "be seen of men". -- Oswald Chambers

It is not wrong to pray in the early morning, but it is wrong to have the motive that it should be known. -- Oswald Chambers

To pray strenuously needs careful cultivation. We have to learn the most natural methods of expressing ourselves to our Father. -- Oswald Chambers

...a most beneficial exercise in secret prayer before the Father is to write things down exactly so I see exactly what I think and want to say. Only those who have tried these ways know the ineffable benefit of such strenuous times in secret. -- Oswald Chambers

Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our person- but they are helpless against our prayer. Fellow Christians who love the cause of Christ- to prayer! To prayer! The times are calling us to it. We must press on. -- J. Sidlow Baxter

Prayer is not logical, it is a mysterious moral working of the Holy Spirit. -- Oswald Chambers

We lean to our own understanding, or we bank on service and do away with prayer, and consequently by succeeding in the external we fail in the eternal, because in the eternal we succeed only by prevailing prayer. -- Oswald Chambers

Prayer means that I come in contact with an almighty Christ, and almighty results happen along the lines He laid down. -- Oswald Chambers

See that you do not use the trick of prayer to cover up what you know you ought to do. -- Oswald Chambers

All earthly things with earth will pass away; Prayer grasps eternity. Then pray, always pray! -- E. H. Bickersteth

True prayer is a lonely business -- Samuel Chadwick

Faith in a prayer-hearing God will make a prayer-loving Christian. -- Andrew Murray

Every work of God can be traced to some kneeling form. -- Dwight L. Moody

...get a place for prayer where no one imagines that that is what you are doing. Shut the door and talk to God. -- Oswald Chambers

Learn to be vicarious in public prayer. Allow two rivers to come through you: the river of God, and the river of human interests. Beware of the danger of preaching in prayer, of being doctrinal. -- Oswald Chambers

A man may study because his brain is hungry for knowledge, even Bible knowledge. But he prays because his soul is hungry for God. -- Leonard Ravenhill

We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties. -- Oswald Chambers Prayer is God's ordained way, the insignificant way of prayer. -- Oswald Chambers

...the purpose of prayer is to reveal the Presence of God, equally present at all times and in every condition. -- Oswald Chambers

Prayer is the key to success. Not to pray is to fail. To pray aright is never to fail. -- Amzi Clarence Dixon

The place of real prayer is the Christian's treasure chamber. He is there in the midst of the treasures of grace which God has given him, and it is there that God enriches him more and more; but in the secret place of the Most High where he dwells, he is rich in love, joy, peace, and all the fruits of the Spirit. -- Amzi Clarence Dixon

...Our prayers are heard, not because we are in earnest, not because we suffer, but because Jesus suffered. -- Oswald Chambers

God answers prayer on the ground of Redemption and on no other ground. -- Oswald Chambers

The whole meaning of prayer is that we may know God. -- Oswald Chambers

The gospel moves with slow and timid pace when the saints are not at their prayers early and late and long. -- E. M. Bounds

If God sees that my spiritual life will be furthered by giving the things for which I ask, then He will give them, but that is not the end of prayer. The end of prayer is that I come to know God Himself. -- Oswald Chambers

Inarticulate prayer, the impulsive prayer that looks so futile, is the thing God always heeds. The habit of ejaculatory prayer ought to be the persistent habit of each one of us. -- Oswald Chambers Prayer is not an exercise, it is the life. -- Oswald Chambers

We think of prayer as a preparation for work, or a calm after having done work, whereas prayer is the essential work. It is the supreme activity of everything that is noblest in our personality. -- Oswald Chambers

Prayer is life passionately wanting, wishing, desiring God's triumph. Prayer is life striving and toiling everywhere and always for that ultimate victory. -- George Campbell Morgan

Oh, how strenuous is life! I know a little of it. Men "ought always to pray, and not to faint." How fierce the battle! I know something of the conflict, but I ought not to faint, because I can pray. -- George Campbell Morgan

Men ought not to faint because men ought to pray. -- George Campbell Morgan

Prayer girds human weakness with divine strength, turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and gives to troubled mortals the peace of God. We know not what prayer can do. -- Charles Spurgeon

Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible. -- Corrie ten Boom

The prayer of the feeblest saint who lives in the Spirit and keeps right with God is a terror to Satan. The very powers of darkness are paralyzed by prayer; no spiritualistic seance can succeed in the presence of a humble praying saint. No wonder Satan tries to keep our minds fussy in active work till we cannot think in prayer. -- Oswald Chambers

The ministry of praying is open to every child of God -- Leonard Ravenhill

It's obvious that much more can be said on this crucial topic. However, we don't need more articles, books, videos, or conferences, on prayer. We need more prayer. -- Chuck Missler

It is possible to have revivals without preaching, without churches, and without ministers, but without prayer a genuine revival is impossible. -- Frank Beardsley

We are never so high as when we are on our knees. -- The Kneeling Christian

...we can accomplish far more by our prayers than by our work. Prayer is omnipotent; it can do anything that God can do! When we pray God works. -- The Kneeling Christian

So great is the importance of prayer that God has taken care to anticipate all the excuses or objections we may be likely to make. Men plead their weakness or infirmity - or they declare they do not know how to pray. God foresaw this inability long ages ago. Did He not inspire St. Paul to say: "The Spirit also helpeth our infirmity, for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered; and He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is in the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God" (Rom. viii. 26, 27). Yes. Every provision is made for us. But only the Holy Spirit can "stir us up" to "take hold of God." And if we will but yield ourselves to the Spirit's promptings we shall most assuredly follow the example of the apostles of old, who "gave themselves to prayer," and "continued steadfastly in prayer" (R.V., Acts vi. 4). -- The Kneeling Christian

We may work for Christ from morn till night; we may spend much time in Bible study; we may be most earnest and faithful and "acceptable" in our preaching and in our individual dealing, but none of these things can be truly effective unless we are much in prayer. We shall only be full of good works; and not "bearing fruit in every good work" (Col. i. 10). -- The Kneeling Christian

All our past failure, all our past inefficiency and insufficiency, all our past unfruitfulness in service, can be banished now, once and for all, if we will only give prayer its proper place. Do it today. Do not wait for a more convenient time. -- The Kneeling Christian

"May God open our eyes to see what the holy ministry of intercession is, to which, as His royal priesthood, we have been set apart. May He give us a large and strong heart to believe what mighty influence our prayers can exert. And may all fear as to our being able to fulfill our vocation vanish as we see Jesus, living ever to pray, living in us to pray, and standing surety for our prayer life." -- Andrew Murray

The real sermon is made in the closet. The man - God's man - is made in the closet. His life and his profoundest convictions were born in his secret communion with God. -- E. M. Bounds

Prayer is, however, much more than merely asking God for something, although that is a very valuable part of prayer if only because it reminds us of our utter dependence upon God. It is also communion with God - intercourse with God - talking with (not only to) God. We get to know people by talking with them. We get to know God in like manner. The highest result of prayer is not deliverance from evil, or the securing of some coveted thing, but knowledge of God. "And this is life eternal, that they should know Thee, the only true God" (John xvii. 3). Yes, prayer discovers more of God, and that is the soul's greatest discovery. -- The Kneeling Christian

The Spirit of Prayer: OR, The SOUL Rising out of the VANITY of TIME, Into the Riches of ETERNITY -- William Law

It is difficult and even formidable thing to write on prayer, and one fears to touch the Ark. Perhaps no one ought to undertake it unless he has spent more toil in the practice of prayer than on its principle. But perhaps also the effort to look into its principle may be graciously regarded by Him who ever liveth to make intercession as itself a prayer to know better how to pray. All progress in prayer is an answer to prayer--our own or another's. And all true prayer promotes its own progress and increases our power to pray. -- P. T. Forsyth

We live in a generation that has never known revival - God's way. True revival changes the moral climate of an area or a nation. Without exception, all true revivals of the past began after years of agonizing, hell-robbing, earth-shaking, heaven-sent intercession. The secret to true revival in our own day is still the same. But where, oh, where, are the intercessors? -- Leonard Ravenhill

Though our activities among men are important, our working together with the Lord by prayers offered up before Him is much more important -- Watchman Nee

The world has not yet seen what God can do through a person who is fully dedicated to Jesus Christ and understands the power of prayer -- Brother Andrew

Is it a question of how we may know the will of God in our lives? 'All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.' Are we concerned to know the secret of victory over sin? 'The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death.' Have we difficulty understanding the scriptures? 'The Holy Spirit ...will teach you all things.' 'The Spirit of truth ...will guide you into all truth.' Is it a problem of how to witness effectively for the Lord? 'You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses.' Perhaps the fact that we have picked up a book on the subject of prayer is an indication the we are wanting to know how to pray aright, how to prevail in prayer. 'The Spirit helps us in our weakness,' replies the apostle. 'The Spirit Himself intercedes for us.' The gracious ministry of the Holy Spirit is God's complete answer to all our weakness, ignorance and inability in the realm of prayer. -- Arthur Wallis

Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye [even] to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: -- Joel 2:12

Pray without ceasing -- 1 Thessalonians 5:17

He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him, and honor him -- Psalms 91:15 [web bible]

It shall happen that, before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear -- Isaiah 65:24 [web bible]

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know -- Jeremiah 33:3 [NKJV ]

Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually -- Hosea 12:6 [web bible]

I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you -- Luke 11:9 [web bible]

If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it -- John 14:14 [web bible]

If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you -- John 15:7 [web bible]

Wait for Yahweh. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for Yahweh -- Psalms 27:14 [web bible] Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full -- John 16:24 [web bible]

In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus -- Philippians 4:6,7 [web bible]

I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men: for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior -- 1Ti 2:1-3 [web bible]

Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praises -- James 5:13 [web bible]

Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need -- Hebrews 4:16 [web bible]

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer -- Psa 19:14

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me -- Psa 51:10

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; [let] thy glory [be] above all the earth -- Psa 57:5

Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto [this] generation, [and] thy power to every one [that] is to come -- Psa 71:18

Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved -- Psa 80:3

Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name -- Psa 86:11

LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven -- Psa 119:89

And now, my dear hearers, if you would understand the Word of God in its knotty points, if you would comprehend the mystery of the gospel of Christ, remember, Christ's scholars must study upon their knees. Depend upon it, that the best commentator upon the Word of God is its author, the Holy Ghost, and if you would know the meaning, you must go to him in prayer -- C. H. Spurgeon

Oh! it is grand praying when our mouth is full of God's word, for there is no word that can prevail with him like his own -- C. H. Spurgeon

"O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God; for thy city and thy people are called by thy name." -- Daniel 9:19

We need to see much our deep needs, our great sins, for ah! that prayer shall go highest that comes from the lowest. To stoop well is a grand art in prayer. To pour out the last drop of anything like self-righteousness; to be able to say from the very heart, "Not for our righteousness' sake do we plead with thee, O God, for we have sinned, and our fathers too." -- C. H. Spurgeon

The motive is this, "Oh! that God could be glorified, that Jesus might see the reward of his sufferings! Oh! that sinners might be saved, so that God might have new tongues to praise him, new hearts to love him! Oh! that sin were put an end to, that the holiness, righteousness, mercy, and power of God might be magnified!" This is the way to pray; when thy prayers seek God's glory, it is God's glory to answer thy prayers. -- C. H. Spurgeon

[I had fainted], unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. -- Ps 27:13-14

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good [thing]. -- Ps 34:10

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. -- Ps 50:15

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. -- Lk 11:9

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. -- 2 Chr 7:14

What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can usemen of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but menmen of prayer. -- E. M. Bounds

Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord... -- Lam 2:19a

The Early Church did great honor to God the Holy Spirit by dropping everything and spending ten days in prayer to prepare for His coming. I have told how the missionaries spent one to several hours each day for months in preparing a way in their hearts for the Holy Spirit. . . They honored God and appreciated the gift of the Holy Spirit by meeting in the church for prayer at five o'clock - not five o'clock every evening, but every morning through the fall and winter of 1906-7. They honored God the Holy Spirit by six months of prayer and then He came as a flood -- Jonathan Goforth, on the 1907 Korean Revival

"Lord, teach me to listen. The times are noisy and my ears are weary with the thousand raucous sounds which continuously assault them. Give me the spirit of the boy Samuel when he said to Thee, `Speak, for thy servant heareth.' Let me hear Thee speaking in my heart. Let me get used to the sound of Thy Voice, that its tones may be familiar when the sounds of earth die away and the only sound will be the music of Thy speaking Voice. Amen." -- A. W. Tozer, "The Pursuit of God"

And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak -- Matt 26:40,41

One of the dangers of (this way of) praying is that we come with ulterior motives. We come not for His Presence but his presents. We come for what we can get out of Him, the gifts He gives us. Rather than seeking God, we come seeking peace, or love, or healing, or some other attribute. If we are given the gift, there is a danger that we will ignore the Giver ... We should not be satisfied only with the attributes of God, when He is offering us His very self. More than we need things, we need God -- David Adam, "Cry of the Deer"

Depend upon it, if you are bent on prayer, the devil will not leave you alone. He will molest you, tantalize you, block you, and will surely find some hindrances, big or little or both. And we sometimes fail because we are ignorant of his devicesI do not think he minds our praying about things if we leave it at that. What he minds, and opposes steadily, is the prayer that prays on until it is prayed through, assured of the answer. - Mary Warburton Booth

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. James Hudson Taylor

No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing; the people who are not praying are straying. The pulpit can be a shop window to display one's talents; the prayer closet allows no showing off. Poverty-stricken as the Church is today in many things, she is most stricken here, in the place of prayer. We have many organizers, but few agonizers --Leonard Ravenhill, "Why Revival Tarries"

My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises -- Psalm 119.148

I have pastored only three churches in my more than sixty years of ministry. We had revival in every one. And not one of them came as a result of my preaching. They came as a result of the membership entering into a covenant to pray until revival come. And it did come, every time -- J. Sidlow Baxter

There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer -- A. T. Pierson

And you will seek Me and find [Me], when you search for Me with all your heart -- Jeremiah 29:13

...fervency is not something that is artificially generated, but is Spirit generated, causing it to erupt from a heart totally submitted to the Spirit of God. He grants this fervency as recorded in Romans 8:26. Those "groanings which cannot be uttered" are called by Paul elsewhere "travail". And that is a descriptive term related to a woman giving birth, and the sounds that come from her at that time. It also denotes deep pain and anguish of soul. This is what gives birth to souls, and accomplishes great things for God, as James strongly implies -- Gary Fix

When a newborn baby lies on its back and cries, its deepest human instincts are being stirred. It is crying out for food, for love, for its mother without whom it will die. This is a picture of the dependency and humility that stirs God's heart. We seek God's face because we are helpless like a newborn baby without him. But as we grow older it takes increasing humility to admit such dependency. This is just one reason why children are closer to the Kingdom of Heaven than adults; they know how to need - Peter Greig, www.24-7prayer.com

Secret prayer is the spring-time of life -- Evan Roberts

Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak -- Col 4:3,4 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have [free] course, and be glorified, even as [it is] with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all [men] have not faith -- 2Th 3:1,2 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly [is] plenteous, but the labourers [are] few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest -- Mat 9:36-38 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me -- Jhn 17:20,21

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. -- Rom 10:1 ; Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee -- Psa 122:6

Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith -- 1Th 3:10

Epaphras, who is [one] of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God -- Col 4:12

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen -- Eph 3:14-21

And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before -- Job 42:10

If any man see his brother sin a sin [which is] not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death -- 1 John 5:15-16

Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness -- Psalm 143: 10

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct [my prayer] unto thee, and will look up -- Psa 5:3

Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of [our] soul [is] to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments [are] in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness -- Isa 26:8,9

Revival is always as close as our knees are to the floor -- Randy Weiss, www.crosstalk.org

Saul, I have no doubt, said many a long prayer before the Lord met him on the way to Damascus. But it was not till his heart was broken that the Lord said. "He prayeth." -- J. C. Ryle, "A Call To Prayer" 

Prayer is the greatest way I know to demonstrate my dependence on God. My greatest declaration of independence would be to stop praying - LeRoy Eims

Heaven may as soon fall as prayer fail -- C. H. Spurgeon

Between the humble and contrite heart and the majesty of Heaven there are no barriers. The only password is prayer -- Hosea Ballou

I ought to pray before seeing any one. Often when I sleep long, or meet with others early, it is eleven or twelve o'clock before I begin secret prayer. This is a wretched system. It is unscriptural. Christ arose before day and went into a solitary place. David says: "Early will I seek thee";"Thou shalt early hear my voice.'' Family prayer loses much of its power and sweetness, and I can do no good to those who come to seek from me. The conscience feels guilty, the soul unfed, the lamp not trimmed. Then when in secret prayer the soul is often out of tune, 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 -- Robert Murray McCheyne

Study universal holiness of life. Your whole usefulness depends on this, for your sermons last but an hour or two; your life preaches all the week. If Satan can only make a covetous minister a lover of praise, of pleasure, of good eating, he has ruined your ministry. Give yourself to prayer, and get your texts, your thoughts, your words from God. Luther spent his best three hours in prayer -- Robert Murray McCheyne

Christ teaches us to pray not only by example, by instruction, by command, by promises, but by showing us Himself, the ever-living Intercessor, as our Life. It is when we believe this, and go and abide in Him for our prayer-life too, that our fears of not being able to pray aright will vanish, and we shall joyfully and triumphantly trust our Lord to teach us to pray, to be Himself the life and the power of our prayer -- Andrew Murray

We would not have any think that the value of their prayers is to be measured by the clock, but our purpose is to impress on our minds the necessity of being much alone with God; and that if this feature has not been produced by our faith, then our faith is of a feeble and surface type -- E. M. Bounds

This unction is not the gift of genius. It is not found in the halls of learning. No eloquence can woo it. No industry can win it. No prelatical hands can confer it. It is the gift of God -- the signet set to his own messengers. It is heaven's knighthood given to the chosen true and brave ones who have sought this anointed honor through many an hour of tearful, wrestling prayer -- E. M. Bounds

We can learn more in an hour praying, when praying indeed, than from many hours in the study -- E. M. Bounds

Prayer is the Christian life, reduced to its essence -- Hank Hanegraaff

It is possible to move men, through God, by prayer alone -- Hudson Taylor

The greatest thing anyone can do for God and man is pray. It is not the only thing; but it is the chief thing. The great people of the earth today are the people who pray. I do not mean those who talk about prayer; nor those who say they believe in prayer; nor those who can explain about prayer; but I mean those who take time to pray -- S.D. Gordon

The greatest power that God has given to any individual is the power of prayer -- Kathryn Kuhlman

I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had absolutely no other place to go -- Abraham Lincoln

Some people pray just to pray and some people pray to know God -- Andrew Murray

Whether we like it or not, asking is the rule of the Kingdom -- C. H. Spurgeon

Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession [Psalms 2:8] Of this verse, Spurgeon wrote "When we beg for conversions, we are asking for Christ, and with Christ; and herein we have fellowship with Him."

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly -- Matt 6:6

Who does not feel that he needs more grace? Then, ask for it. Be constant and persistent in your asking. Be diligent and untiring in your asking. God delights to have us shameless beggars in prayer; for it shows our faith in him, and he is mightily pleased with faith. Because of our shamelessness, He will rise and give us as much as we need -- R. A. Torrey

It is, therefore, by the benefit of prayer that we reach those riches which are laid up for us with the Heavenly Father. For there is a communion of men with God by which, having entered the heavenly sanctuary, they appeal to him in person concerning his promises in order to experience, where necessity so demands, that what they believed was not in vain, although he had promised it in word alone. Therefore we see that to us nothing is promised to be expected from the Lord, which we are not also bidden to ask of him in prayers -- John Calvin

Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth. God does nothing but in answer to prayer -- John Wesley

Unction is a thing which you cannot manufacture, and its counterfeits are worse than worthless; yet it is in itself priceless, and beyond measure needful if you would edify believers and bring sinners to Jesus. To the secret pleader with God this secret is committed; upon him rests the dew of the Lord, about him is the perfume which makes glad the heart -- C. H. Spurgeon

I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly -- Psalms 85:8

I rarely pray 1/2 an hour, but I rarely go 1/2 an hour without prayer -- Smith Wigglesworth

Prayer is the thermometer of grace -- C. H. Spurgeon

Five times over our Lord repeats this simple condition, "In my name" (John xiv. 13, 14; xv. 16; xvi. 23, 24, 26). Evidently something very important is here implied. It is more than a condition -- it is also a promise, an encouragement, for our Lord's biddings are always His enablings. What, then, does it mean to ask in His name? We must know this at all costs, for it is the secret of all power in prayer -- The Kneeling Christian

Prayer is the promise utilized -- C. H. Spurgeon

In His first words on prayer in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus seeks to set the inner chamber before us in its most attractive light. If we listen carefully, we soon notice what the chief thing is He has to tell us of our tarrying there. Three times He uses the name of Father: Pray to thy Father"; Thy Father shall recompense thee"; Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of." The first thing in closet-prayer is: I must meet my Father -- Andrew Murray

Jesus never taught His disciples how to preach, only how to pray -- Andrew Murray

...to the man who withdraws himself from all that is of the world and man, and prepares to wait upon God alone, the Father will reveal Himself -- Andrew Murray

The secrecy of the inner chamber and the closed door, the entire separation from all around us, is an image of, and so a help to that inner spiritual sanctuary, the secret of Gods tabernacle, within the veil, where our spirit truly comes into contact with the Invisible One -- Andrew Murray, "With Christ in the School of Prayer"

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created -- Rev 4:11

...of all the traits of a life LIKE CHRIST there is none higher and more glorious than conformity to Him in the work that now engages Him without ceasing in the Fathers presenceHis all-prevailing intercession. The more we abide in Him, and grow unto His likeness, will His priestly life work in us mightily, and our life become what His is, a life that ever pleads and prevails for men -- Andrew Murray, "With Christ in the School of Prayer"

The knowledge of Gods Father-love is the first and simplest, but also the last and highest lesson in the school of prayer. It is in the personal relation to the living God, and the personal conscious fellowship of love with Himself, that prayer begins. It is in the knowledge of Gods Fatherliness, revealed by the Holy Spirit, that the power of prayer will be found to root and grow. In the infinite tenderness and pity and patience of the infinite Father, in His loving readiness to hear and to help, the life of prayer has its joy. O let us take time, until the Spirit has made these words to us spirit and truth, filling heart and life: Our Father which art in heaven. Then we are indeed within the veil, in the secret place of power where prayer always prevails -- Andrew Murray

'Hallowed be Thy name. There is something here that strikes us at once. While we ordinarily first bring our own needs to God in prayer, and then think of what belongs to God and His interests, the Master reverses the order. First, Thy name, Thy kingdom, Thy will; then, give us, forgive us, lead us, deliver us. The lesson is of more importance than we think. In true worship the Father must be first, must be all. The sooner I learn to forget myself in the desire that HE may be glorified, the richer will the blessing be that prayer will bring to myself. No one ever loses by what he sacrifices for the Father. This must influence all our prayer -- Andrew Murray

But [it is] good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works -- Ps 73:28

I bring you at once to the test - have you in your prayer drawn near to God? When you have been on your knees in the morning, have you thought that you were talking to the King of heaven and earth? Have you breathed your desires, not to the empty winds, but into the ear of the Eternal? Have you desired to come to him and tell to him your wants, and have you sought at his hands the answer to your requests? Remember, you have not prayed successfully or acceptably unless you have in prayer endeavored to draw near to God -- C. H. Spurgeon

Your prayers may be the sacred vessel in which he puts the alms of his mercy; but the merit by which the mercy comes is in the veins of Christ, and nowhere else. Remember that there can be no merit in a beggar's cry -- C. H. Spurgeon  

John Bunyan says that he never forgot the divinity he taught, because it was burnt into him when he was on his knees. That is the way to learn the gospel. If you learn it upon your knees you will never unlearn it -- C. H. Spurgeon

The one clue to the whole labyrinth of providence, and of doctrinal opinion, and of sacred thought, is to be found in that one hallowed exercise-prayer. Continue much in prayer, and neither Satan nor the world shall much deceive you. Behold before you the sacred ark of truth. But where is the key? It hangs upon the silver nail of prayer; go reach it down, unlock the casket and be rich -- C. H. Spurgeon

My Creed leads me to think that prayer is efficacious, and surely a days asking God to overrule all events for good is not lost. Still there is a great feeling that when a man is praying hes doing nothing, and this feeling makes us give undue importance to work, sometimes even to the hurrying over or even to the neglect of prayer. Do not we rest in our day too much on the arm of flesh? Cannot the same wonders be done now as of old? Do not the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth still to show Himself strong on behalf of those who put their trust in Him? Oh that God would give me more practical faith in Him! Where is now the Lord God of Elijah? He is waiting for Elijah to call on Him -- James Gilmour of Mongolia

Perfect prayer is only another name for love - Fenelon

The potency of prayer hath subdued the strength of fire; it had bridled the rage of lions, hushed the anarchy to rest, extinguished wars, appeased the elements, expelled demons, burst the chains of death, expanded the gates of heaven, assuaged diseases, repelled frauds, rescued cities from destruction, stayed the sun in its course, and arrested the progress of the thunderbolt. Prayer is an all-efficient panoply, a treasure undiminished, a mine which is never exhausted, a sky unobscured by clouds, a heaven unruffled by the storm. It is the root, the fountain, the mother of a thousand blessings -- Chrysostom

The prayers of holy men appease Gods wrath, drive away temptations, resist and overcome the devil, procure the ministry and service of angels, rescind the decrees of God. Prayer cures sickness and obtains pardon; it arrests the sun in its course and stays the wheels of the chariot of the moon; it rules over all gods and opens and shuts the storehouses of rain, it unlocks the cabinet of the womb and quenches the violence of fire; it stops the mouths of lions and reconciles our suffering and weak faculties with the violence of torment and violence of persecution; it pleases God and supplies all our need -- Jeremy Taylor

Trust in him at all times; [ye] people, pour out your heart before him: God [is] a refuge for us. Selah -- Psa 62:8

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest -- Joshua 1:9

Prayer is nothing else than a sense of God's presence -- Brother Lawrence

Of course, we know that God bids us "ask" of Him. We all obey Him so far; and we may rest well assured that prayer both pleases God and supplies all our need. But he would be a strange child who only sought his father's presence when he desired some gift from him! And do we not all yearn to rise to a higher level of prayer than mere petition? How is it to be done? It seems to me that only two steps are necessary - or shall we say two thoughts? There must be, first of all, a realization of God's glory, and then of God's grace -- The Kneeling Christian

"Prayer," says an old Jewish mystic, "is the moment when heaven and earth kiss each other." -- The Kneeling Christian

Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul -- Psalms 25:1

We must take time to become filled with His power; we must take time to be holy. Let us put our desires into one heart-felt petition for a baptism of the Holy Ghost, and not cease to present it until we have prevailed. So Elijah prayed; he threw himself on the ground, resolved not to rise again till his request was granted. So Jacob WRESTLED with the angel. So Daniel set his face unto the Lord his God. So the disciples continued with one accord in prayer and supplication! -- Griffith John

When we lift up our souls to God in prayer [Psalms 25:1] it gives God an opportunity to do what He will in us and with us. It is putting ourselves at God's disposal. God is always on our side. When man prays, it is God's opportunity -- The Kneeling Christian

We must not conceive of prayer as overcoming God's reluctance, but as laying hold of His highest willingness -- Archbishop Trench

It is good to be conscious that we are always in the presence of God. It is better to gaze upon Him in adoration. But it is best of all to commune with Him as a Friend - and that is prayer -- The Kneeling Christian

Real prayer at its highest and best reveals a soul athirst for God - just for God alone -- The Kneeling Christian

Do you think that any one of us spends enough time in pondering over, yes, and marveling over, God's exceeding great glory? And do you suppose that any one of us has grasped the full meaning of the word "grace"? Are not our prayers so often ineffective and powerless - and sometimes even prayerless - because we rush unthinkingly and unpreparedly into God's presence, without realizing the majesty and glory of the God Whom we are approaching, and without reflecting upon the exceeding great riches of His glory in Christ Jesus, which we hope to draw upon? We must "think magnificently of God." -- The Kneeling Christian

I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice [and] my supplications -- Psa 116:1 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon [him] as long as I live -- Psa 116:2 What shall I render unto the LORD [for] all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD -- Psa 116:12-13

Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts -- Zech 4:6

Shall I give you yet another reason why you should pray? I have preached my very heart out. I could not say any more than I have said. Will not your prayers accomplish that which my preaching fails to do? Is it not likely that the Church has been putting forth its preaching hand but not its praying hand? Oh dear friends! Let us agonize in prayer -- C. H. Spurgeon

To merely exercise our words about revival and not our knees is hypocrisy! It is time to make the prayer-meeting as crowded as our favorite preaching and praise meetings. It is then and ONLY then, that a true revival will come with lasting power! -- David Smithers

A bed watered with tears, a throat dry with praying, eyes a fountain of tears for the sins of the land are rarely to be found among us -- Samuel Rutherford

Lord draw us back to the prayer closet where blind eyes see and hardened hearts are broken -- David Smithers

I ought to spend the best hours of the day in communion with God. It is my noblest and most fruitful employment -- Robert Murray M'Cheyne

The call of revival, is a call to be a pioneer! If we are serious about revival, we must be willing to go places were the modern Church has never been or has long forgotten. Therefore we must stop looking to contemporary Christianity for the steps to our revival dreams and visions. We cannot afford to let the Church's present weakness and failure steal our hope and faith for a future revival. God is not calling us to imitate the weak things around us. He is inviting us to believe Him for the power and purity of the Church as seen in the New Testament! Our seventy years are finished, and it's time for us to stop listening to Sanballat and Tobiah and get busy rebuilding the House of Prayer (Dan 9:1-3, Ezra 1:1-5) -- David Smithers

So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found no one -- Ezekiel 22:30

Two Salvation Army officers set out to found a new work, only to meet with failure and opposition. Frustrated and tired they appealed to General Booth to close the rescue mission. General Booth sent back a telegram with two words on it, "TRY TEARS." They followed his advice and witnessed a mighty revival

No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing; the people who are not praying are straying. The pulpit can be a shopwindow to display one's talents; the prayer closet allows no showing off. "Poverty-stricken as the Church is today in many things, she is most stricken here, in the place of prayer. We have many organizers, but few agonizers; many players and payers, few prayers; many singers, few clingers; lots of pastors, few wrestlers; many fears, few tears; much fashion, little passion; many interferers, few intercessors; many write rs, but few fighters. Failing here, we fail everywhere -- Leonard Ravenhill

The Christian calendar is crowded with so-called prayer meetings, twenty-four-hour prayer chains, marches, vigils, nights-of-prayer, half-nights of prayer and a host of other prayer movements covertly designed to promote secondary causes. Some of these are real. Others are merely used as a promotion technique by religious movements, sects and organizations. Real prayer is spiritual warfare. It requires us to wrestle with the world, the flesh and the devil - overcoming in the power of the Holy Spirit rather than in our own flesh and mind -- K. P. Yohannon

The first requirement in prayer is that we come close to God. The more we sit at His feet and look into His eyes, the more our prayers will reflect His mind -- K. P. Yohannon

How can we have a meaningful prayer life? First, prayer must become priority one. Prayer always comes first in God's timetable. We must reverse the process of modem thinking in order to discover spiritual reality. In the natural, we begin with our needs and desires the problems to be solved. We then set goals and plan backwards from them. Rather than waiting on God for direction, we rely on ourselves for solutions... Until we learn to lay aside our reliance on every human resource; and learn to make waiting on God the number one priority in life, we are still in the kindergarten of prayer -- K. P. Yohannon

Our time diaries too often betray our callous indifference to God. The simple fact is that no one can get to know God without spending time with Him. If we love the Lord as we say we do, how can we spend so little time in His presence? -- K. P. Yohannon

We struggle to make quality time for friends and family. Millions of us plan our lives around favorite TV shows, sporting events and vacations. Yet why is it so hard to make an appointment with God, to spend an hour or two each day in prayer? How many of us can say we spend as much time in prayer as we do in eating meals and socializing around food? Our lives are so overbooked with frantic activity that we have scheduled Him right out of our days. Is it any wonder our Christianity is so ineffective, weak and powerless? There is only one way to see a change. We have to make prayer a priority and set aside time for it every day -- K. P. Yohannon

...the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him... -- Second Chronicles 16:9

For those who are willing to confess their utter dependence on God in prayer, life enters the realm of the supernatural -- K. P. Yohannon

Prayer does not consist in gifted expressions and a volubility of speech; but in a brokenness of heart -- John Mason

"Tarry in the city of Jerusalem, until you are endued with power from on high." Luke 24:49 ; "He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father." Acts 1:4

There is no wiser nor better thing to do on the eve of a season of blessing than to make an inventory, not of our riches, but of our poverty -- A. B. Simpson

Oh, how alarming is the condition of the evangelical Church today! How few churches have one real, desperate prayer meeting a week. We oftentimes sing, "a little talk with Jesus makes it quite all right", but beloved, it is going to take more than a little talk with Jesus to bring revival -- James A Stewart

Yet what kind of prayer does God require from us? Are all prayers as equally effective? Does a mechanical two minute prayer truly usher in the Kingdom of God? The Epistle of James teaches us exactly what an effective, Kingdom prayer looks like. James writes, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit" (James 5:16-18). Effectual prayer claims the promises of God by FAITH with FERVENT and UNRELENTING passion -- David Smithers

James 5:18 says that Elijah prayed again and the heavens gave rain. That has to be one of the biggest understatements in the whole Bible. I Kings 18:41-45 tells us that Elijah prayed not once, not twice, but seven times before the fruitful rains of revival came. Prayer that truly affects the world around us is extremely intense and persistent -- David Smithers

The secret of praying is praying in secret -- Leonard Ravenhill

When alone with God, be alone with Him. Begin in silence. Speak with simplicity. Listen in meekness. Never leave without a conscious season of real communion. We have not to persuade God, but He has to discipline and prepare us -- Samuel Chadwick

In all moods and in all seasons pour out the soul in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, and if the Spirit groans in intercession do not be afraid of the agony of prayer. There are blessings of the Kingdom that are only yielded to the violence of the vehement soul -- Samuel Chadwick

A minister told of his Sunday School teacher who despaired of his class and asked to be released. The Superintendent persuaded him to try again, and to promise that every day for three months he would pray in secret, for every boy. Every boy in the class was saved, and four of them became ministers of great usefulness and power -- Samuel Chadwick

Prayer is the key that unlocks all the storehouse of God's infinite grace and power. All that God is, and all that God has is at the disposal of prayer -- R. A. Torrey

The church has many organizers, but few agonizers; many who pay, but few who pray; many resters, but few wrestlers; many who are enterprising, but few who are interceding. People who are not praying are playing -- Leonard Ravenhill

Two prerequisites of dynamic Christian living are vision and passion, both of these are generated by prayer -- Leonard Ravenhill

Tithes may build the church, but tears will give it life. That is the difference between the modern church and the early church. Our emphasis is on paying, theirs was on praying. When we have paid, the place is taken. When they had prayed, the place was shaken (Acts 4:31). In the matter of effective praying, never have so many left so much to so few. Brethren, let us pray -- Leonard Ravenhill

Very often we say to young people, "Now look, you have to read your Bible and maintain your prayer. You need to maintain your prayer life to maintain your Christian life." No! Not so. Not so. You need to maintain your Christian life in order to pray -- Leonard Ravenhill

The gospel moves with slow and timid pace when the saints are not at their prayers early and late and long. -- E. M. Bounds

No church should function these days without a whole night prayer. What do you want... social standing? Do you just want numbers of people? Do you want to fill the pews? Or do you want fire? -- Leonard Ravenhill

George Muller once said, My business is with all my might to serve my own generation. In doing so I shall best serve the next generation, should the Lord tarry. I have but one life to live on Earth and this one life is but a brief life for sowing in comparison with eternity for reaping. General Booth conveyed the same thought with the following lines: Your days at the most cannot be very long, so use them to the best of your ability for the glory of God and the benefit of your generation. Catherine Booth, the mother of the Salvation Army, daily charged her nine children with something similar, You are not here in the world for yourself. You have been sent here for others. The world is waiting for you! More than once, I heard the late Leonard Ravenhill predict that God was going to raise up a new generation to bring the fires of revival to this sin--sick world. The late Keith Green, echoed these same urgent sentiments. In his final days, he repeatedly unsettled many of us with the following words. This generation of Christians is responsible for this generation of souls on the Earth! Have you been awakened to your eternal and personal responsibility for this generation? -- David Smithers

The greatest revivalists of the past were young men and women who dared to believe God for something more for their own generation! George Whitfield, Howell Harris, Count Zinzendorf, Charles G. Finney, Charles Spurgeon, Evan Roberts , Robert Murray MCheyne, William C. Burns, Hudson Taylor, C. T. Studd, David Brainerd and countless others were all mightily used of God while still in their twenties. Why then are so many of us still looking to the fruitless institutions of decaying Christendom for the steps to our revival dreams? We will never realize our spiritual potential by imitating the unrevived methods of status quo Christianity. -- David Smithers

Our sufficiency is of God. Difficulties melt in His presence. In Him are those mighty, overcoming energies, which accomplish the possible and the impossible with equal readiness.  The real resources are with Him for the evangelizing and the redeeming of the world. But He has not been able to do many mighty works in the non--Christian lands, because of our unbelief as a Church. We have not possessed our possessions. God has been waiting to be honored by the faith of a generation that would call upon Him for really large outpourings of His power. -- J. Lovell Murray (SVM)

I myself, for instance, am not especially gifted, and am shy by nature, but my gracious and merciful God and Father inclined Himself to me, and when I was weak in faith He strengthened me while I was still young. He taught me in my helplessness to rest on Him, and to pray even about little things in which another might have felt able to help himself. -- James Hudson Taylor

Ah, prayer turns trembling saints into great victors! There is no such thing as surrender, or even discouragement, to a man who dwells in the secret place of the Most High and abides under the shadow of the Almighty. -- Henry W. Frost

I have seen many men work without praying, though I have never seen any good come out of it; but I have never seen a man pray without working. -- James Hudson Taylor

The men that will change the colleges and seminaries here represented are the men that will spend the most time alone with God.  It takes time for the fires to burn. It takes time for God to draw near and for us to know that He is there. It takes time to assimilate His truth. You ask me, How much time? I do not know. I know it means time enough to forget time. -- John R. Mott

I am convinced that nothing less than a mighty Holy Ghost revival will awaken us to a sense of our great privilege and responsibility with regard to the missionary challenge and world evangelization. -- Clifford Filer

If your heart takes more pleasure in reading novels, or watching TV, or going to the movies, or talking to friends, rather than just sitting alone with God and embracing Him, sharing His cares and His burdens, weeping and rejoicing with Him, then how are you going to handle forever and ever in His presence...? You'd be bored to tears in heaven, if you're not ecstatic about God now! -- Keith Green

Does it grieve you my friends, that the name of God is being taken in vain and desecrated? Does it grieve you that we are living in a godless age...But, we are living in such an age and the main reason we should be praying about revival is that we are anxious to see God's name vindicated and His glory manifested. We should be anxious to see something happening that will arrest the nations, all the peoples, and cause them to stop and to think again. --Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Oh! men and brethren, what would this heart feel if I could but believe that there were some among you who would go home and pray for a revival - men whose faith is large enough, and their love fiery enough to lead them from this moment to exercise unceasing intercessions that God would appear among us and do wondrous things here, as in the times of former generations. -- C. H. Spurgeon

It is not the bee's touching on the flowers that gathers the honey, but her abiding for a time upon them, and drawing out the sweet. It is not he that reads most, but he that meditates most on divine truth, that will prove the choicest, strongest Christian. -- Joseph Hall

The reason why many fail in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came...Anticipate your battles; fight them on your knees before temptation comes, and you will always have victory. -- R. A. Torrey

The way to stimulate and provoke others unto good works is to strive to outrun them in the race. The way to rebuke the cold and indifferent is to be always full of zeal and abounding in the work of the Lord yourself. Men will be much more ready to answer a call to come up to your level, than a command to advance beyond you. -- Record of Christian Work, May 1909

A sermon in shoes is often more eloquent than a sermon on paper. -- Theodore L. Cuyler

Closet communion needs time for the revelation of Gods presence. It is vain to say, I have too much work to do to find time. You must find time or forfeit blessing. God knows how to save for you the time you sacredly keep for communion with Him. -- A. T. Pierson

With some men it would seem, if they could control God's operations and manipulate His actions they might tolerate a revival; but to allow God a free hand, fills them with righteous indignation and horror. If only God would consent to become an 'ecclesiastic' and respect their dignity and decorum and beautiful order of service and ways of running the Church, they might condescend to have a revival. - William P. Nicholson

Are you living for the things you are praying for? -- Austin Phelps

We need a baptism of clear seeing. We desperately need seers who can see through the mist - Christian leaders with prophetic vision. Unless they come soon it will be too late for this generation. And if they do come we will no doubt crucify a few of them in the name of our worldly orthodoxy. -- A. W. Tozer, "The Pursuit of God"

The time factor in prayer is very important. In the exercise of prayer God is not tied to our clocks. Neither is He at the other end of the phone to receive and answer our two--minute calls. It takes time to know the mind of God, to shut out the material things of earth and to be wholly abandoned. --Hugh C. C. McCullough

A heart ready to melt at the sight of human suffering and need is necessary to successful soul--winning...Where there is no real soul--burden for sinners, there will be no revival. The early Church travailed in pain for the souls of dying men. -- J. W. Mahood

He can do all things who prays well. All soul--winners have conquered on their knees. Wherever the secret of prevailing prayer is found, something supernatural will come to pass. -- G. F. Oliver

We give ourselves to prayer. We preach a Gospel that saves to the uttermost, and witness to its power. We do not argue about worldliness; we witness. We do not discuss philosophy; we preach the Gospel. We do not speculate about the destiny of sinners; we pluck them as brands from the burning. We ask no man's patronage. We beg no man's money. We fear no man's frownLet no man join us who is afraid, and we want none but those who are saved, sanctified and aflame with the fire of the Holy Ghost. - Samuel Chadwick

The Church gives more time, thought, and money to recreation and sport than to prayer. -- Samuel Chadwick

It is a solemn thing to find oneself drawn out in prayer which knows no relief till the soul it is burdened with is born. It is no less solemn afterwards, until Christ is formed in them. -- Amy Carmichael

The evangelization of the world in this generation depends first of all upon a revival of prayer. Deeper than the need for men; deeper, far, than the need for money; aye, deep down at the bottom of our spiritless life is the need for the forgotten secret of prevailing, world--wide prayer. -- Robert E. Speer

How long shall this fearful ruin of souls continue? Ought we not to make an effort to save China in this generation? Is God's power limited? Is the efficacy of prayer limited? This grand achievement is in the hands of the Church We want China emancipated from the thralldom of sin in this generation. It is possible. Our Lord has said, According to your faith be it unto you.' The Church of God can do it, if she be only faithful to her great commission. -- General Conference of the Protestant Missionaries of China (1877)

Are we, the Christians of today, awake to these facts and responsive to the claims of this glorious work? Do we understand that this vast responsibility rests upon us? That it is possible now, as never before in the world's history, to preach the Gospel to all the nations? And do we mean; God helping that this work shall be done ere we die? This is the deep significance of the hour to this generation. -- Dr. Judson Smith

Some reader may urge - No one generation has been actually evangelized. True; yet that is no proof of its impossibility; and the fact that past generations of Christians failed to accomplish their task, or rather, never tried (except perhaps in the first century, and even that is very doubtful), is no reason why we should shrink from ours. -- Eugene Stock

China for Christ in this generation - Why not? In this generation, what doubt is there that China will be swept irresistibly into the stream of the world's competition? The West will not wait till a later generation. Why should the Church wait till a later generation? How splendidly equipped the Church is today to win not China only, but the world for Christ in one generation! -- J. C. Garritt

It is possible to evangelize the world in this generation, if the Church will but do her duty. The trouble is not with the heathen. A dead Church will prevent it, if it is prevented. Why should it not be accomplished? God will have all men to be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth. The resources of the Church are boundless. Let the will of the Church be brought into line with the will of God, and nothing will be found to be impossible. May God grant it! -- Griffith John

Am I robbing God of time? How easy to do, and how impossible to repay! We have lost the sacred art of spending time with God, and nothing else can ever take its place. No repentance however deep, no restitution however costly, no sorrow however complete, can do away with the necessity for a daily time of sacred quiet, alone with God. ( Keswick 1946 ) -- Gordon M. Guinness

When our quiet times have become hurried, how can we expect to give God the adoration that is His due? How can we receive the guidance that God is waiting to give? How can our hearts catch the glow of divine fire? How can we have deep fellowship with those purposes that are really nearest to the heart of God? ( Keswick 1946 ) -- Gordon M. Guinness

Prayer alone will overcome the gigantic difficulties which confront the workers in every field. -- John R. Mott

Let methods be changed, therefore, if necessary, that prayer may be given its true place. Let there be days set apart for intercession; let the original purpose of the monthly concert of prayer for missions be given a larger place; let missionary prayer cycles be used by families and by individual Christians; let the best literature on prayer be circulated among the members of the Church; let special sermons on the Subject of intercession be preached. By these and by all other practical means a larger, deeper, wider spirit of prayer should be cultivated in the churches. - John R. Mott

The Church has not yet touched the fringe of the possibilities of intercessory prayer. Her largest victories will be witnessed when individual Christians everywhere come to recognize their priesthood unto God and day by day give themselves unto prayer. -- John R. Mott

If added power attends the united prayer of two or three, what mighty triumphs there will be when hundreds of thousands of consistent members of the Church are with one accord day by day making intercession for the extension of Christ's Kingdom. -- John R. Mott

The evangelization of the world in this generation depends first of all upon a revival of prayer. Deeper than the need for men; deeper, far, than the need for money; aye, deep down at the bottom of our spiritless life is the need for the forgotten secret of prevailing, world-wide prayer. -- Robert E. Speer

The secret of the success of the Apostles lay not in what they did and said, but in the presence of Christ in them and with them. They saw with the eyes of Christ, felt with His heart, and worked with His energies. They were nothing; Christ was everything. Christ was living, breathing, and triumphing in their personal lives. Their entire nature being replete with His life, their spirits bathed in His light, and their souls kindled with the fires of His love, they moved in the midst of men as embodiments of supernatural power Brethren, this is what we must be, if this mighty Empire (China) is to be moved through us. But to be this, the throne of grace must be our refuge, the secret place of the Most High must be our daily and hourly habitation. -- Griffith John

We must take time to become filled with His power; we must take time to be holy. Let us put our desires into one heart-felt petition for a baptism of the Holy Ghost, and not cease to present it until we have prevailed. So Elijah prayed; he threw himself on the ground, resolved not to rise again till his request was granted. So Jacob WRESTLED with the angel. So Daniel set his face unto the Lord his God. So the disciples continued with one accord in prayer and supplication! -- Griffith John

God's program for reviving His people is definite and clear. First Elijah repaired the altar of Jehovah that was thrown down. That is the place to begin. All the ruin that sin has wrought must be cleared away by confession. Things must be made right with God; restitution must be made where it is due. Unless this is done definitely and thoroughly, prayer for reviving is vainToo many are praying today without repairing the altar by confession of sin, without digging a trench of separation from the world and without a surrender that is even unto death. No wonder such prayer is fruitless. -- Andrew Gih

In the interior city of Chengchow the Bethel Evangelistic Band had a very difficult time. The meetings had gone on without noticeable results and the last day came. The Band knew that the hindrance must be with the leaders who seemed quite indifferent. Desperately we prayed, and when hope seem almost gone we were reminded that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years. He can do wonders in just one day! Our faith took hold on God for the fall of Jericho at the last. And God honored our faith. During the morning meeting one of the missionaries could not restrain his tears and confessed most humbly that he was a great sinner and hypocrite. Then the Holy Spirit fell on the whole congregation and all were convicted of sin and confessed with tears of contrition. At the closing meeting there was no opportunity for preaching. The Holy Spirit was working and people spontaneously confessed their sins and need, or gave joyous testimonies of salvation. -- Andrew Gih

Before we go to our knees to receive the Baptism of Fire, let me beg of you to see to it that your souls are in harmony with the will and purpose of the Holy Spirit whom you seek. -- William Booth

Revival is the assemblies of God manifesting the oneness of the membership in the mystical, supernatural body of Christ, delivered from denominational bigotry. -- James A. Stewart

Revival is the saints of God agonizing on behalf of lost souls going to hell. -- James A. Stewart

Revival is the people of God living in the power of an ungrieved, unquenched Spirit. -- James A. Stewart

Revival is the child of God desperately in love with his glorious Savior and Lord. -- James A. Stewart

Revival is living the Christ life in the home. -- James A. Stewart Revival is the heathen saying, The Lord hath done great things for them (Psa. 126:2). -- James A. Stewart

Revival is Zion travailing in spiritual childbirth. -- James A. Stewart

Revival is the Church of God as a conquering army putting to rout the hosts of hell. -- James A. Stewart

Revival is torrents of living water flowing out of the individual believer. -- James A. Stewart

Revival is the beauty of holiness adorning the saints. -- James A. Stewart

Revival is the recognition of the ministry of insignificant members of the body, and deliverance from idol worship of the more prominent members who are in the limelight. -- James A. Stewart

Revival is restoring the years the locusts have eaten. -- James A. Stewart

Revival is the people of God constrained, gripped, overmastered, and overwhelmed by the love of Christ, so that they are feverishly restless to win souls for Christ. -- James A. Stewart

Revival is the whole assembly powerfully and passionately winning lost souls to Christ. -- James A. Stewart

I believe there is one thing for which God is very angry with our land, and for which His Holy Spirit is so little among us, and that is the neglect of united prayer; the appointed means of bringing down the Holy Spirit. -- Brownlow North

Can we go too fast in saving souls? If anyone still wants a reply, let him ask the lost souls in Hell -- William Booth

You must pray with all your might. That does not mean saying your prayers, or sitting gazing about in church or chapel with eyes wide open while someone else says them for you. It means fervent, effectual, untiring wrestling with God...This kind of prayer be sure the devil and the world and your own indolent, unbelieving nature will oppose. They will pour water on this flame. -- William Booth

Our power in drawing others after the Lord mainly rests in our joy and communion with Him ourselves. -- J. G. Bellett

If sinners be dammed, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one GO there UNWARNED and UNPRAYED for. -- Charles Spurgeon

The essence of prayer does not consist in asking God for something but in opening our hearts to God, in speaking with Him, and living with Him in perpetual communion. Prayer is continual abandonment to God. Prayer does not mean asking God for all kinds of things we want; it is rather the desire for God Himself, the only Giver of Life, Prayer is not asking, but union with God. Prayer is not a painful effort to gain from God help in the varying needs of our lives. Prayer is the desire to possess God Himself, the Source of all life. The true spirit of prayer does not consist in asking for blessings, but in receiving Him who is the giver of all blessings, and in living a life of fellowship with Him. -- Sadhu Sundar Singh

Whether we like it or not, asking is the rule of the Kingdom. If you may have everything by asking in His Name, and nothing without asking, I beg you to see how absolutely vital prayer is. -- C. H. Spurgeon

Prayer - secret, fervent, believing prayer - lies at the root of all personal godliness. -- William Carey

The energies of the universe, nay, of God Himself, are at the disposal of those who pray - to the man who stirreth up himself to take hold of God. -- Samuel Zwemer

There is absolutely no substitute for this secret communion with God. The public Church services, or even the family altar, cannot take the place of the 'closet' prayer. We must deliberately seek to meet with God absolutely alone, and to secure such aloneness with God we are bidden to 'enter into thy closet.' God absolutely insists on this 'closet'-communion with Himself. One reason, no doubt, that He demands it, is to test our sincerity. There is no test for the soul like solitude. Do you shrink from solitude? Perhaps the cause for your neglect of the 'closet' is a guilty conscience? You are afraid to enter into the solitude. You know that however cheerful you appear to be you are not really happy. You surround yourself with company lest, being alone, truth should invade your delusion -- Gordon Cove

Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshippers meeting together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be were they to become unity conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship. Social religion is perfected when private religion is purified. The body becomes stronger as its members become healthier. The whole church of God gains when the members that compose it begin to seek a better and a higher life. -- A. W. Tozer, "The Pursuit of God"

It is morally impossible to exercise trust in God while there is failure to wait upon Him for guidance and direction. The man who does not learn to wait upon the Lord and have his thoughts molded by Him will never possess that steady purpose and calm trust, which is essential to the exercise of wise influence upon others, in times of crisis and difficulty. -- D. E. Hoste

I find it a good thing to fast. I do not lay down rules for anyone in this matter, but I know it has been a good thing for me to go without meals to get time for prayer. So many say they have not sufficient time to pray. We think nothing of spending an hour or two in taking our meals. -- D. E. Hoste

Should it not be recognized that the practice of prayer and intercession needs to be taught to young believers, or rather developed in young believers, quite as much, if not more so than other branches of the curriculum? Unless, however, we ourselves are, through constant persevering practice, truly alive unto God in this holy warfare, we shall be ineffective in influencing others. I am quite sure the rule holds that the more we pray the more we want to pray; the converse also being true. -- D. E. Hoste

I should like to allude to a few points in the character of Mr. Hudson Taylor which impressed me personally, and which I think had something to do with the blessing that God granted to his efforts on behalf of this country (China). First his prayerfulness; he was of necessity a busy man, but he always regarded prayer itself as in reality the most needful and important part of the work. He practically recognized that much time must be spent in seeking God's guidance, if a right understanding was to be obtained of the problems and difficulties that confronted him, in carrying on the work of the Mission. He knew that in no other way was the power of the Holy Spirit to be obtained for himself and his brethren, as they sought to develop the work. I venture on this occasion, not only to impress upon myself, but upon you as well, the importance of our copying him in this respect. -- D. E. Hoste

Out of a very intimate acquaintance with D. L. Moody, I wish to testify that he was a far greater pray-er than he was preacher. Time and time again, he was confronted by obstacles that seemed insurmountable, but he always knew the way to overcome all difficulties. He knew the way to bring to pass anything that needed to be brought to pass. He knew and believed in the deepest depths of his soul that nothing was too hard for the Lord, and that prayer could do anything that God could do. -- R. A. Torrey

All great soul-winners have been men of much and mighty prayer, and all great revivals have been preceded and carried out by persevering, prevailing knee-work in the closet. -- Samuel Logan Brengle

God has created both the mother's milk and the child's desire to drink it. But the milk does not flow of itself into the child's mouth. No, the child must lie in its mother bosom and suck the milk diligently. God has created the spiritual food which we need. He has filled the soul of man with desire for this food, with an impulse to cry out for it and to drink it in. The spiritual milk, the nourishment of our souls, we receive through prayer. By means of fervent prayer we must receive it into our souls. As we do this we become stronger day by day, just like the infant at the breast. -- Sadhu Sundar Singh

We have found no means so much blessed to keep religion alive as FASTING and PRAYER. -- Edward Payson

It is not enough for the believer to begin to pray, nor to pray correctly; nor is it enough to continue for a time to pray. We must patiently, believingly continue in prayer until we obtain an answer. Further, we have not only to continue in prayer until the end, but we have also to believe that God does hear us and will answer our prayers. Most frequently we fail in not continuing in prayer until the blessing is obtained, and in not expecting the blessing. Those who are disciples of the Lord Jesus should labor with all their might in the work of God as if everything depended upon their own endeavors. Yet, having done so, they should not in the least trust in their labor and efforts, nor in the means that they use for the spread of the truth, but in God alone; and they should with all earnestness seek the blessing of God in persevering, patient, and believing prayer. Here is the great secret of success, my Christian reader. Work with all your might, but never trust in your work. Pray with all your might for the blessing in God, but work at the same time with all diligence, with all patience, with all perseverance. Pray, then, and work. Work and pray. And still again pray, and then work. And so on, all the days of your life. The result will surely be abundant blessing. Whether you see much fruit or little fruit, such kind of service will be blessed. -- George Muller

One of the special marks of the Holy Ghost in the Apostolic Church was the spirit of boldness. One of the most essential qualities of faith that is to attempt great things for God and expect great things from God, is holy audacity. Where we are dealing with a supernatural Being, and taking from Him things that are humanly impossible, it is easier to take much than little; it is easier to stand in a place of audacious trust than in a place of cautious, timid clinging to the shore. Likewise, seamen in the life of faith, let us launch out into the deep, and find that all things are possible with God, and all things are possible unto him that believeth. -- A. B. Simpson, "The Life of Prayer"

Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things, above all that we ask or think. Each time, before you Intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things! -- Andrew Murray

It is very much easier to work than to pray. Most of the missionaries are earnest workers. But are we all that we should be in the matter of prayer? Let us not suppose that just any sort of praying will do for China. We must all wrestle with God. I will not let Thee go unless Thou bless China. It must come to this if the conversion of the Chinese is ever to be an accomplished fact. Such is my conviction. Let me remind you that the greatest importunity is not incompatible with the profoundest submission to the Divine will. -- Griffith John

It must be remembered that there is spiritual wickedness at the back of all confusion and discord in the work of God. The servant of Christ must, therefore, practically recognize that his warfare is with these satanic beings and must be waged on his knees. -- D. E. Hoste

Live near to God, and so all things will appear to you little in comparison with eternal realities. -- Robert Murray McCheyne

The neglected heart will soon be a heart overrun with worldly thoughts; the neglected life will soon become a moral chaos; the church that is not jealously protected by mighty intercession and sacrificial labors will before long become the abode of every evil bird and the hiding place for unsuspected corruption. The creeping wilderness will soon take over that church that trusts in its own strength and forgets to watch and pray. -- A. W. Tozer, "The Pursuit of God"

We have not been men of prayer. The spirit of prayer has slumbered among us. The closet has been too little frequented and delighted in. We have allowed business, study or active labor to interfere with our closet-hours. And the feverish atmosphere in which both the church and the nation are enveloped has found its way into our prayer closets -- Andrew Bonar

Why is there so little forethought in the laying out of time and employment, so as secure a large portion of each day for prayer? Why is there so much speaking, yet so little prayer? Why Is there so much running to and fro to meetings, conventions, fellowship gatherings and yet so little time for prayer'? Brethren, why so many meetings with our fellow men and so few meetings with God? -- Andrew Bonar

A godly man is a praying man. As soon as grace is poured in, prayer is poured out. Prayer is the soul's traffic with Heaven; God comes down to us by His Spirit, and we go up to Him by prayer. -- Thomas Watson

If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me. -- Robert Murray McCheyne

If I am concerned that my flock be men and women of prayer, then, as their pastor, I must lead the way; apathy in me will produce apathy in them. The church prayer meeting ought to be the best attended in the week, and if it is, success will follow the ministry of the Word at the weekends. I would rather a thousand times set men and women to pray than teach them to preach. -- J. D. Drysdale

I would rather teach one man to pray than ten men to preach. -- J. H. Jowett

Oh, how few find time for prayer! There is time for everything else, time to sleep and time to eat, time to read the newspaper and the novel, time to visit friends, time for everything else under the sun, but-no time for prayer, the most important of all things, the one great essential! -- Oswald Smith

On the mountains, torrents flow right along, cutting their own courses. But on the plains canals have to be dug out painfully by men so that the water might flow. So among those who live on the heights with God, the Holy Spirit makes its way through of its own accord, whereas those who devote little time to prayer and communion with God have to organize painfully. -- Sadhu Sunder Singh

Groanings which cannot be uttered are often prayers which cannot be refused. -- C. H. Spurgeon

God's greatest gifts to man come through travail. Whether we look into the spiritual or temporal sphere, can we discover anything, any great reform, any beneficial discovery, any soul-awakening revival, which did not come through the tolls and tears, the vigils and blood-shedding of men and woman whose sufferings were the pangs of Its birth? -- F. B. Meyer

Some people become tired at the end of ten minutes or half an hour of prayer. What will they do when they have to spend Eternity in the presence of God? We must begin the habit here and become used to being with God. -- Sadhu Sundar Singh

Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps express, deepen, confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God. -- Andrew Murray

Continuing instant in prayer (Rom. 12:12). The Greek is a metaphor taken from hunting dogs that never give over the game till they have their prey. -- Thomas Brooks

If you are strangers to prayer you are strangers to power. -- Billy Sunday

All prayer is hidden. It is behind a closed door. The best spade diggers go down into deep ditches out of sight. There are numbers of surface workers, but few who in self-obliteration toil alone with God. -- Seth Joshua

A real minister of the gospel is a man of prayer. Prayer is his grand employment, his safety, his first and perpetual duty; and under grace, the grand source of his consolation. Our instructions will be always barren, if they be not watered with our tears and prayers. -- Thomas Coke

A minister, who prays not, who is not in love with prayer, is not a minister of the Church of God. He is a dry tree, which occupies in vain a place in Christ's garden. He is an enemy, and not a father, of the people. He is a stranger, who has taken the place of the shepherd, and to whom the salvation of the flock is an indifferent thing. -- Thomas Coke

In Shansi I found Chinese Christians who were accustomed to spend time in fasting and prayer. They recognized that this fasting, which so many dislike, which requires faith in God, since it makes one feel weak and poorly, is really a Divinely appointed means of grace. Perhaps the greatest hindrance to our work is our own imagined strength; and in fasting we learn what poor, weak creatures we are - dependent on a meal of meat for the little strength which we are so apt to lean upon. -- J. Hudson Taylor

The Azusa revival began where every revival should rightly begin-in repentant tears. It began in tears, it lived in tears, and when the tears ended the Azusa revival ended. -- A. G. Osterberg

A revival almost always begins among the laity. The ecclesiastical leaders seldom welcome reformation. History repeats itself. The present leaders are too comfortably situated as a rule to desire innovation that might require sacrifice on their part. And God's fire only falls on sacrifice. An empty altar receives no fire! -- Frank Bartleman

God is presently seeking for a humble, praying people that He can pour His glory through. If we will not yield to the Holy Spirit in humble obedience, He will find a people who will! Some of us may have to visit someone else's fellowship in order to experience the coming move of God. Let's not deceive ourselves, God is not committed to use us, but He is committed to remember the prayer of the humble. (Psa. 9:12). If we refuse to prescribe to the Christ honored methods of humility and prayer, we will certainly be refused for the Master's use in the coming revival. -- David Smithers

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God -- Luke 6:12 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground -- Luke 22:44 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared -- Hbr 5:7

Prayer lies at the heart of all experience of God. In prayer God is known and met and touched. In prayer all our knowledge about God kindles into life. Our understanding of the Scripture gains personal illumination and power. Our whole conduct and career passes consciously under the divine judgment. In prayer the soul is molded and attuned to fresh obedience and confronted with new duty. Our relationship to others is seen in a new perspective, and conscience grows tender again. In prayer vision is clarified, the horizons are broadened, the goal becomes better defined and the inner resources by which the soul lives are replenished from eternal springs of power, hopefulness and peace. Prayerless religion is mere theory -- Reginald E. O. White

We must either be praying or fainting - there is no other alternative. The purpose of all faith is to bring us into direct, personal touch with God. True prayer is an awareness of our helpless need, an acknowledgment of divine adequacy. For Jesus, prayer was as necessary as breathing, the very breath of His life. Although God certainly knows all our needs, praying for them changes our attitude from complaint to praise, and enables us to participate in God's personal plans of our lives -- Ray C. Stedman, "Talking To My Father"

You may ask, "If we cannot imagine a three-personal Being, what is the good of talking about Him?" Well, there isn't any good talking about Him. The thing that matters is being actually drawn into that three-personal life, and that may begin any time - tonight, if you like. What I mean is this. An ordinary simple Christian kneels down to say his prayers. He is trying to get in touch with God. But if he is a Christian he knows that what is prompting him to pray is also God: God, so to speak, inside him. But he also knows that all his knowledge of God comes through Christ, the Man who was God - that Christ is standing beside him, helping him to pray, praying for him. You see what is happening. God is the thing to which he is praying - the goal he is trying to reach. God is also the thing inside him which is pushing him on - the motive power. God is also the road or bridge along which he is being pushed to that goal. So that the whole threefold life of the three-personal Being is actually going on in that ordinary little bedroom where an ordinary man is saying his prayers. The man is being caught up into the higher kind of life - what I call "Zoe" or spiritual life: he is being pulled into God, by God, while still remaining himself -- C.S. Lewis, "Mere Christianity"

In prayer vision is clarified, the horizons are broadened, the goal becomes better defined and the inner resources by which the soul lives are replenished from eternal springs of power, hopefulness and peace -- Reginald E. O. White

Prayerless religion is mere theory -- Reginald E. O. White

Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak -- Col 4:3,4 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have [free] course, and be glorified, even as [it is] with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all [men] have not faith -- 2Th 3:1,2 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly [is] plenteous, but the labourers [are] few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest -- Mat 9:36-38 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me -- Jhn 17:20,21

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. -- Rom 10:1 ; Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee -- Psa 122:6

Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith -- 1Th 3:10 Epaphras, who is [one] of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God -- Col 4:12 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him -- Act 12:5

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen -- Eph 3:14-21

And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before -- Job 42:10

Cold prayers ask God to deny them: only importunate prayers will be replied to -- C. H. Spurgeon

I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice [and] my supplications -- Psa 116:1 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon [him] as long as I live -- Psa 116:2 What shall I render unto the LORD [for] all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD -- Psa 116:12-13

When John Wesley was asked why so many people came to hear him preach, he replied, "I simply get alone and ignite myself in prayer, and then people come out to watch me burn"

it is only when with open face we behold the glory of the Lord that we are changed from glory to glory. A view of God shining in the face of Jesus Christ, is the faith which purifies and produces good works. When God is seen in all the majesty of His glory, in the awful purity of Hos holiness, the Christian cannot, dare not willfully sin. He pants after universal purity with groanings that cannot be uttered. This is the faith 'which worketh by love.' Under the influence of these views the Christian knows what it is to be moved to action by the love of God in Christ... -- Edward D. Griffin 

This nation is crumbling from within because the very foundation of the Church has slipped. No longer is Christ alone all-sufficient for all our needs. Jesus has become far less than preeminent among the very ones who claim His name. The brick and mortar of our fleshly methods have failed to repair the spiritual breaches of our walls. How long shall we try in vain to repair our outer walls while God's house of prayer still lies neglected and in ruins? -- David Smithers  

I never get time to pray - I've always got to make it! -- Wilbur Smith

How much of our prayer is of the quality we find in Hannah's bitterness of soul, 'when she prayed unto the Lord?' How many times have we ever 'WEPT SORE' before the Lord? We have prayed much perhaps, but our longings have not been deep compared with hers. We have spent much time upon our knees, it may be, without our hearts going out in agony of desire. But real supplication is the child of heartfelt desire, and cannot prevail without it; a desire not of earth nor issuing from our own sinful hearts, but wrought into us by God Himself. Oh for such desires. Oh for Hannah's earnestness, not in myself only but in all who are joining in prayer for these poor heathen aborigines [ Lisu tribal people of Yunnan Province, China ] -- James O. Fraser

We must be prepared for serious warfare, 'and having done all, to stand,' we must fight through, and then stand victorious on the battlefield. Is not this another secret of many unanswered prayers, that they are not fought through? If the result is not seen as soon as expected, Christians are apt to lose heart, and if it is still longer delayed, to abandon it altogether. You know the name they give to places in England when the building (or whatever it is) is abandoned, when only half of it is completed - So and so's 'Folly'. I wonder whether some of our prayers do not deserve the same stigma. Luke 14: 28-30 applies to prayers as well as towers. We must count the cost before praying the prayer of faith. We must be willing to pay the price. We must mean business. We must set ourselves to 'see things through' (Eph. 6:18, 'In all perseverance') -- James O. Fraser

"The Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the VIOLENT take it by force." Matthew 11:12 ...we must cloth ourselves in humility as we run to wage war in the fight of faith. Our prayers must go beyond mere sentimental and religious rhetoric. What we need is the violent groans and cries of travailing prayer! We must learn how to be violent in prayer with both Satan and our own sinful PRIDE. King Jesus is searching for a people who will be subject to Him in all holiness and humility, and yet stand in bold faith against the powers of darkness. (James 4:7). Humility apart from courageous faith becomes despair, and faith apart from broken humility becomes presumption. True revival VICTORY will finally come when the poor in spirit learn how to walk in the authority and power of the Spirit -- David Smithers

Far too many people think of the power of the Holy Spirit as something for them to use, rather than as something to use them. That seems to be the problem of today -- J. Edwin Orr

In Acts chapter one, verse 14, we read, "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren." Dr A. T. Pierson, the great missionary advocate, stated once, "There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer." It MUST be united prayer...It must be extraordinary prayer. What do you mean by extraordinary prayer? Well then, ask yourself the question, "what is ordinary prayer?" Do you pray before you eat? That's ordinary prayer. Do you pray before go to bed? Do you pray before you get up in the morning? That's ordinary prayer. Does your minister lead the congregation in prayer Sunday morning? That's ordinary prayer. Do you meet once during the week, to remember the needs of the congregation? That is also ordinary prayer. Then what is extraordinary prayer? When you hear of people giving up their lunch time to pray, or having a half night in prayer, or praying ALL night; Or engaging regularly in what's been called a "concert of prayer" [by Jonathan Edwards, that is,] all Christians praying everywhere at the same time; or, setting up a 24/7 prayer vigil, a schedule whereby somebody is praying, at any time, around the clock. That's extraordinary prayer. And it is the need of extraordinary that brings revival -- J. Edwin Orr

How often shall I pray?  As often as the language of prayer is in my heart; as often as I see my need of help; as often as I feel the power of temptation; as often as I am sensible of any spiritual declination, or feel the aggression of a worldly, earthly spirit.  In prayer we leave the business of time for that of eternity, and communication with men for communication with God -- Jeremiah Lanphier (see also "Why did the Fire Fall in 1857?")

Spirit filled souls are ablaze for God. They love with a love that glows. They serve with a faith that kindles. They serve with a devotion that consumes. They hate sin with fierceness that burns. They rejoice with a joy that radiates. Love is perfected in the fire of God -- Samuel Chadwick

Have we become content with a nominal and entertaining Christianity? If not, then let us give ourselves to true travailing prayer. For until we get on our knees, we are nothing less than unconcerned and insincere regarding revival. God have mercy and help us to see our great need for a genuine move of the Holy Spirit -- David Smithers

When he came occasionally to work among my flock, he at once took the whole church and people on his heart and began to travail for them in prayer, as though his very life depended on the issue. This intercession continued night and day with tears. He never said he had prayed all night, but I could hear him again and again breaking forth in the darkness with strong crying unto God. I know what the burden was, it was this congregation, strangers to him till today. It was this flock, not one of whom he had ever seen till now. This habitual prayerfulness was something so wonderful that I wish to emphasize it as furnishing the true secret of his life -- A. J. Gordon, speaking of John Vassar

You may come too seldom, but you can never come too often to God. Is there not occasion for prayer to God early and late? Are there not sins early and late to be pardoned, mercies early and late to be procured, mischiefs early and late to be averted, duties early and late to be performed, afflictions early and late to be endured, and temptations early and late to be broken? Now, whence comes your health and strength? Is it not from heaven? And how does it come, but by prayer? Oh above all things, be much in seeking God! You have the very key of heaven, if you have the gift and grace of praying -- Andrew Gray

I care not how long or how short thy prayers be, but let them be ardent, and rather interrupted and broken between with sighs, than drawn out with a continual number of words -- Johan Picus, Earl of Mirand, to his nephew

...true prayer can only originate from a life emptied of self-sufficiency -- K. P. Yohannon

God's army always moves forward on its knees -- K. P. Yohannon

Jesus was forever withdrawing from the crowds to spend extended times with God the Father. Yet, for Jesus, it was more than just spending time. Jesus not only made prayer a priority, but He modeled a life of constant prayer. Jesus demonstrated an attitude of prayer in His every action -- K. P. Yohannon

More than by giving us a set of phrases and words, Jesus exemplified a moment-by-moment dependence on God in His prayer life -- K. P. Yohannon

We have not learned to pray as Jesus taught us to until we have learned to live prayerfully as He did. His prayers sprung naturally and spontaneously out of a constant awareness of the Father's will.  He enjoyed a well-practiced intimacy with the Father. He did not pray to God, but with God. Until we learn to pray with the Son in the same way He did with the Father, we have not learned the basic posture of prayer -- K. P. Yohannon

There is no way that Christians in a private capacity can do so much to promote the work of God and advance the kingdom of Christ, as by prayer -- Jonathan Edwards

Arrange your affairs, if possible, so that you can leisurely devote two or three hours every day not merely to devotional exercises but to the very act of secret prayer and communion with God. Endeavor seven times a day to withdraw from business and company and lift up your soul to God in private retirement. Begin the day by rising after midnight and devoting some time amid the silence and darkness of the night to this sacred work. Let the hour of opening dawn find you at the same work. Let the hours of nine, twelve, three, six, and nine at night witness the same. Be resolute in his cause. Make all practicable sacrifices to maintain it. Consider that your time is short, and that business and company must not be allowed to rob you of your God -- Adoniram Judson

No man can do a great and enduring work for God who is not a man of prayer, and no man can be a man of prayer who does not give much time to praying -- E. M. Bounds

One bright benison which private prayer brings down upon the ministry is an indescribable and inimitable something--an unction from the Holy One . . . If the anointing which we bear come not from the Lord of hosts, we are deceivers, since only in prayer can we obtain it. Let us continue instant constant fervent in supplication. Let your fleece lie on the thrashing floor of supplication till it is wet with the dew of heaven -- C. H. Spurgeon

If some Christians that have been complaining of their ministers had said and acted less before men and had applied themselves with all their might to cry to God for their ministers--had, as it were, risen and stormed heaven with their humble, fervent and incessant prayers for them--they would have been much more in the way of success -- Jonathan Edwards

More important than talking to men about God, is talking to God about men -- Jon Courson 

Sometimes, when we say "brother, or sister, I'll pray for you," we'll see a dissappointed look come across their face, as if to say "that's nice, but, isnt't there something more that you can do?" Hey! Prayer is the greatest thing that I can do for you. It's the greatest thing that you can do for me. It's the greatest thing that we can do for each other. There is NOTHING greater than prayer -- Jon Courson 

I can't stress it strongly enough that if will pray for each other, we will find ourselves being a blessed people -- Jon Courson 

Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees -- Unknown

Prayer is nothing but the application of the heart to God, and the internal exercise of love - Madame Jeane Guyon 

This pillar of revival fire is always best seen from the heights of bent and callused knees -- David Smithers

When your minds are in holy, heavenly frame, your people are likely to partake of it. They will be able to feel when you have been much with God; that which is most on your heart, will be most in their ears -- Richard Baxter

We must feel toward our people as a father toward his children; yea, the most tender love of a mother must not surpass ours. We must even travail in birth, till Christ be formed in them. They should see that we care for no outward thing, neither liberty, nor honor, nor life, in comparison to their salvation... When the people see that you truly love them, they will hear anything from you...Oh therefore, see that you feel a tender love for your people in your hearts, and let them perceive it in your speech and conduct. Let them see that you spend and are spent for their sakes -- Richard Baxter

Above all be much in secret prayer and meditation. By this you will fetch the heavenly fire that must kindle your sacrifice: remember you cannot decline and neglect your duty to your own hurt alone, many will be losers by it as well as you -- Richard Baxter

We need pastors who will not only talk about revival, but who will travail for revival. Today the Church has everything from men's meetings to miracle meetings, but we still don't have revival. Mere meetings and conferences will never be able to substitute for the power and authority of a true shepherd's prayers. "Let the priests, who minister to the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, 'Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: why should they say among the people, Where is their God?'" (Joel 2:17). I fear that many pastors are naively expecting a move of God while neglecting the means of God. The Father longs to visit us. "He will come to us like the RAIN, like the latter and former RAIN to the earth." (Hosea 6:3). Yet, like Elijah, we will have to pray and pray again, before the first rain clouds of true revival are seen. Dear pastors, "ASK the Lord for RAIN in the time of the latter rain." (Zechariah 10:1) -- David Smithers

...when God, the infinite Being, in whom everything is life and power, spirit and truth, in the very deepest meaning of the words,-when God speaks forth Himself in His words, He does indeed give HIMSELF, His Love and His Life, His Will and His Power, to those who receive these words, in a reality passing comprehension. In every promise He puts Himself in our power to lay hold of and possess; in every command He puts Himself in our power for us to share with Him His Will, His Holiness, His Perfection. In God’s Word God gives us HIMSELF; His Word is nothing less than the Eternal Son, Christ Jesus. And so all Christ’s words are God’s words, full of a Divine quickening life and power. ‘The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life.’ -- Andrew Murray

To offer a prayer-to give utterance to certain wishes and to appeal to certain promises-is an easy thing, and can be learned of man by human wisdom. But to pray in the Spirit, to speak words that reach and touch God, that affect and influence the powers of the unseen world,-such praying, such speaking, depends entirely upon our hearing God’s voice. Just as far as we listen to the voice and language that God speaks, and in the words of God receive His thoughts, His mind, His life, into our heart, we shall learn to speak in the voice and the language that God hears. It is the ear of the learner, wakened morning by morning, that prepares for the tongue of the learned, to speak to God as well as men, as should be (Is 50:4). -- Andrew Murray

...hearing the voice of God is something more than the thoughtful study of the Word. There may be a study and knowledge of the Word, in which there is but little real fellowship with the living God. But there is also a reading of the Word, in the very presence of the Father, and under the leading of the Spirit, in which the Word comes to us in living power from God Himself; it is to us the very voice of the Father, a real personal fellowship with Himself. It is the living voice of God that enters the heart, that brings blessing and strength, and awakens the response of a living faith that reaches the heart of God again. -- Andrew Murray

It is on hearing God’s voice, that the power both to obey and believe depends. The chief thing is, not to know what God has said we must do, but that God Himself says it to us. It is not the law, and not the book, not the knowledge of what is right, that works obedience, but the personal influence of God and His living fellowship. And even so it is not the knowledge of what God has promised, but the presence of God Himself as the Promiser, that awakens faith and trust in prayer. It is only in the full presence of God that disobedience and unbelief become impossible. ‘If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, it shall be done unto you.’ [John 15:7] -- Andrew Murray

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, it shall be done unto you - John 15:7

We will never have enough time for prevailing prayer unless we deliberately plan for it. The time we give to prayer by deliberately planning is the measure of our value of prayer.-Wesley Duewell

O for thousands upon thousands divided into small bands in their respective cities, towns, villages, and neighborhood, all met at the same time, and in pursuit of one end, offering up their united prayers, like so many ascending clouds of incense before the Most High! -- JOHN SUTCLIFF, from his preface to a republication of Jonathan Edward's "A Humble Attempt..."

Our being with God is of use only as we expend its priceless benefits on men -- E. M. Bounds

It is impossible for the preacher to keep his spirit in harmony with the divine nature of his high calling without much prayer. That the preacher by dint of duty and laborious fidelity to the work and routine of the ministry can keep himself in trim and fitness is a serious mistake. Even sermon-making, incessant and taxing as an art, as a duty, as a work, or as a pleasure, will engross and harden, will estrange the heart, by neglect of prayer, from God. The scientist loses God in nature. The preacher may lose God in his sermon -- E. M. Bounds

Prayer is no petty duty, put into a corner; no piecemeal performance made out of the fragments of time which have been snatched from business and other engagements of life; but it means that the best of our time, the heart of our time and strength must be given…It must enter as strongly into the heart and life as Christ’s "strong crying and tears" did; must draw out the soul into an agony of desire as Paul’s did; must be an inwrought fire and force like the "effectual, fervent prayer" of James; must be of that quality which, when put into the golden censer and incensed before God, works mighty spiritual throes and revolutions -- E. M. Bounds

Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still. He will never talk well and with real success to men for God who has not learned well how to talk to God for men. More than this, prayerless words in the pulpit and out of it are deadening words -- E. M. Bounds

The preacher must, by prayer, move God toward the people before he can move the people to God by his words -- E. M. Bounds

Let us in our waiting always seek to "fear this glorious and awesome name, the Lord your God" (Deut 28:58). The deeper we bow before His holiness in reverent fear and adoring awe, even as the angels veil their faces before the throne, the more His holiness will be revealed to us. The deeper we enter the truth "that no flesh should glory in His presence" (1Cor 1:29), to that degree will we be permitted to see His glory. "Behold the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy" (Psalm 33:18) -- Andrew Murray, "Waiting on God"

The fatherly kindness of God is such that in whatever state we come to Him we may confidently hope in His mercy -- Andrew Murray, "Waiting on God"

Remember, again, that intercessory prayer is exceedingly prevalent. What wonders it has wrought! The Word of God teams with its marvelous deeds. Believer, thou hast a mighty engine in thy hand, use it well, use it constantly, use it with faith, and thou shalt surely be a benefactor to thy brethren -- C. H. Spurgeon

Oh, let my hands forget their skill, My tongue be silent, cold, and still, This bounding heart forget to beat, If I forget the mercy-seat! -- C. H. Spurgeon

Pridefullness will always manifest itself in prayerlessness - Jon Courson

Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him [cometh] my salvation -- Psalm 62:1

Those who sit at Jesus' feet gain the most understanding -- David Guzik

A good man is never less alone than when alone with God -- Matthew Henry

Prayer is often the deciding factor in spiritual battles The tragedy is that the enormous power available to us through prayer is so often wasted because we do not pray -- Chuck Smith, "Effective Prayer Life"

Pridefullness will always manifest itself in prayerlessness -- Jon Courson

Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments” -- Daniel 9:3-5

Our sufficiency is of God. Difficulties melt in His presence. In Him are those mighty, overcoming energies, which accomplish the possible and the impossible with equal readiness…The real resources are with Him for the evangelizing and the redeeming of the world. But He has not been able to do ‘many mighty works’ in the non-Christian lands, because of our unbelief as a Church. We have not possessed our possessions. God has been waiting to be honored by the faith of a generation that would call upon Him for really large outpourings of His power -- J. Lovell Murray (SVM)

Elijah on Carmel did not only pray; he kept his eyes open to see the rising cloud -- Theodore L. Cuyler

The time factor in prayer is very important. In the exercise of prayer God is not tied to our clocks. Neither is He at the other end of the phone to receive and answer our two-minute calls. It takes time to know the mind of God, to shut out the material things of earth and to be wholly abandoned -- Hugh C. C. McCullough

We must continue in prayer if we are to get an outpouring of the Spirit. Christ says there are some things we shall not get, unless we pray and fast, yes, "prayer and fasting." We must control the flesh and abstain from whatever hinders direct fellowship with God -- Andrew Bonar

How terrible is the cost of robbing God of time for prayer. When we rob God of time for quiet, we are robbing Him of ourselves. It is only in the quiet that we can really know Him and know ourselves, and be sure that we give ourselves back to Him. Oh, for God's sake, do not risk keeping the windows of Heaven closed by robbing God of time ( Keswick 1946 ) -- Gordon M. Guinness

The Church has not yet touched the fringe of the possibilities of intercessory prayer. Her largest victories will be witnessed when individual Christians everywhere come to recognize their priesthood unto God and day by day give themselves unto prayer -- John R. Mott

Prayer is self-discipline. The effort to realize the presence and power of God stretches the sinews of the soul and hardens its muscles. To pray is to grow in grace. To tarry in the presence of the King leads to new loyalty and devotion on the part of the faithful subjects. Christian character grows in the secret-place of prayer -- Samuel M. Zwemer

Intercession is the essence of the life of Christ...The Church is created not to fulfill God's wrath, but to complete His mercy -- Francis Frangipane

Humility is being knocked down to your knees or onto your face for undeserved reasons, knowing the truth, and crying out to God, and then remaining in that humble posture -- Author Unknown

The biggest mistake I believe we pastors make is to spend 90% of our time trying to get the 90% of our church to pray who are not going to pray, while ignoring the 10% of our church who lives topray! If we will survey our people, identify our intercessors, begin to build a relationship of respect and partnership with them, they will multiply like rabbits! And, like spark plugs in the church, they will ignite the prayer life of the entire church -- Eddie Smith, U.S. Prayer Center 

The Five Fingers of Prayer: 1. Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty." 2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers. 3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance. 4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them. 5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all. Which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively. Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight, just remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie in. Should you decide to send this to a friend, you might brighten someone's day! Pass this on to someone special... I did! God Bless!

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest -- Joshua 1:7

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life -- Jude 20, 21

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty -- Psalms 91:1

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ -- 2 Corinthians 10:5

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God -- Romans 12:1,2

Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I -- Psalms 61:1

"Did you hear Spurgeon preach?" D. L. Moody replied, "Yes, but better still, I heard him pray."

I can readily tell when a brother is praying, or when he is only performing, or playing at prayer . . . Oh for a living groan! One sigh of the soul has more power in it than half an hour’s recitation of pretty pious words. Oh! for a sob from the soul, or a tear from the heart -- C. H. Spurgeon

When you work, you work. When you pray, God works -- Unknown

Revival cannot be organized, but we can set our sails to catch the wind from heaven when God chooses to blow upon His people once again -- G. Campbell Morgan

Prayer initiated revival, and revival initiated prayer -- Sammy Tippit

The God of Paul, Peter, Whitefield, Wesley, Finney, and Moody is the God of our generation. He is looking for men and women who will take hold of Him in prayer and not let go until His glory comes -- Sammy Tippit

The first call upon the New Testament church was prayer -- Sammy Tippit

The early church’s motto was “pray and proclaim.” It was said of them that they were “men who have up-set the world” (Acts 17:6) -- Unknown

Bend me, O God! -- Evan Roberts

God, the only Good of all intelligent Natures, is not an absent or distant God, but is more present in and to our Souls, than our own Bodies; and we are Strangers to Heaven, and without God in the World, for this only Reason, because we are void of that Spirit of Prayer, which alone can, and never fails to unite us with the One, only Good, and to open Heaven and the Kingdom of God within us. A Root set in the finest Soil, in the best Climate, and blessed with all that Sun, and Air, and Rain can do for it, is not in so sure a Way of its Growth to Perfection, as every Man may be, whose Spirit aspires after all that, which God is ready and infinitely desirous to give him. For the Sun meets not the springing Bud that stretches towards him with half that Certainty, as God, the Source of all Good, communicates himself to the Soul that longs to partake of Him. - William Law

He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day -- John Bunyan

The fewer the words, the better the prayer -- Martin Luther

To have prayed well is to have studied well -- Martin Luther

When we pray, remember: 1. The love of God that wants the best for us. 2. The wisdom of God that knows what is best for us. 3. The power of God that can accomplish it -- William Barclay, “Prodigals and Those Who Love”

Dr. Helen Roseveare, missionary to Zaire, told the following story. "A mother at our mission station died after giving birth to a premature baby. We tried to improvise an incubator to keep the infant alive, but the only hot water bottle we had was beyond repair. So we asked the children to pray for the baby and for her sister. One of the girls responded. 'Dear God, please send a hot water bottle today. Tomorrow will be too late because by then the baby will be dead. And dear Lord, send a doll for the sister so she won't feel so lonely.' That afternoon a large package arrived from England. The children watched eagerly as we opened it. Much to their surprise, under some clothing was a hot water bottle! Immediately the girl who had prayed so earnestly started to dig deeper, exclaiming, 'If God sent that, I'm sure He also sent a doll!' And she was right! The heavenly Father knew in advance of that child's sincere requests, and 5 months earlier He had led a ladies' group to include both of those specific articles." -- Source Unknown.

In its early days, Dallas Theological Seminary was in critical need of $10,000 to keep the work going. During a prayer meeting, renowned Bible teacher Harry Ironside, a lecturer at the school, prayed, "Lord, you own the cattle on a thousand hills. Please sell some of those cattle to help us meet this need." Shortly after the prayer meeting, a check for $10,000 arrived at the school, sent days earlier by a friend who had no idea of the urgent need or of Ironside's prayer. The man simply said the money came from the sale of some of his cattle! -- Today in the Word, MBI, January, 1990, p. 36

Early African converts to Christianity were earnest and regular in private devotions. Each one reportedly had a separate spot in the thicket where he would pour out his heart to God. Over time the paths to these places became well worn. As a result, if one of these believers began to neglect prayer, it was soon apparent to the others. They would kindly remind the negligent one, "Brother, the grass grows on your path." -- Today in the Word, June 29, 1992.

There is nothing that makes us love a man so much as prayer for him -- William Law

God can pick sense out of a confused prayer -- Richard Sibbes

There has always been a spirit of prayer and intercession associated with spiritual awakening, both in Scripture and in history. Revival is preceded by prayer, birthed through intercession, and sustained by fervent, persevering prayer. Prayer is the central living element to every spiritual awakening and every moving of the Holy Spirit -- Frank Damazio

Perhaps you will have to spend hours on your knees or upon your face before the throne. Never mind. Wait. God will do great things for you if you will wait for Him. Yield to Him. Cooperate with Him -- John Smith

Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace. -- Jerry Bridges

There is no way that Christians, in a private capacity, can do so much to promote the work of God and advance the kingdom of Christ as by prayer -- Jonathan Edwards

Where there is much prayer, there will be much of the Spirit; where there is much of the Spirit, there will be ever-increasing prayer -- Andrew Murray

If prayer is not your priority, then everything else you do is idolotry. Prayer is the work of the ministry -- Pastor Barry Cook

The prayer that sparks revival begins long before the countryside seems to awaken from its slumber in sin. It starts when men fall on their knees and cry out to God. That's where true intimacy with God takes place and we begin the journey of being transformed into the image of Christ. And as men are transformed, the course of a nation can be changed -- Wellington Boone

The spirit of prayer is pressing forth of the soul out of this earthly life; it is a stretching with all its desire after the life of God, to be one life, one love, one spirit with Christ in God. -- William Law

Fall on your knees and grow there. There is no burden of the spirit but is lighter by kneeling under it. Prayer means not always talking to Him, but waiting before Him till the dust settles and the stream runs clear. -- F. B. Meyer

There is no burden of the spirit but is lighter by kneeling under it -- F. B. Meyer

Gethsemane is where He died; the cross is only the evidence. -- Leonard Ravenhill

Prayer is the highest activity of the human soul, and therefore it is at the same time the ultimate test of a man’s true spiritual condition (there is nothing so much as prayer life that tells the truth about us as Christian people.) Everything we do in the Christian life is easier than prayer! -- Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones

In prayer... "I must wrestle like Jacob, and pant like David, and hope like Elijah, and be persistent like Bartimeus, and cry with tears like my blessed Lord." -- Alexander Smellie

Prayer is the nearest approach to God and the highest enjoyment of Him that we are capable of in this life -- William Law 

The more helpless you are, the better you are fitted to pray, and the more answers to prayer you will experience. -- O. Hallesby

Whenever the insistence is on the point that God answers prayer, we are off the track. The meaning of prayer is that we get hold of God, not of the answer. -- Oswald Chambers

Jesus Christ carries on intercession for us in heaven; the Holy Ghost carries on intercession in us on earth; and we the saints have to carry on intercession for all men. -- Oswald Chambers

He who is too busy to pray will be too busy to live a holy life. Satan had rather we let the grass grow on the path to our prayer chamber than anything else -- E. M. Bounds

Through His Spirit, the Spirit of prayer, our life may be one of continual prayer. The Spirit of prayer will help you become an intercessor, asking great things of God for those around you -- Andrew Murray

Public prayers are of little worth unless they are founded on or followed up by private praying -- E. M. Bounds

Of all the duties enjoined by Christianity none is more essential and yet more neglected than prayer." -- Fenelon

The greatest answer to prayer is that I am brought into a perfect understanding with God, and that alters my view of actual things -- O. Chambers

All that God is, and all that God has, is at the disposal of prayer. Prayer can do anything that God can do, and as God can do everything, prayer is omnipotent -- R. A. Torrey

A holy life does not live in the closet, but it cannot live without the closet -- E. M. Bounds

Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God. and a scourge for Satan -- John Bunyan

Avail yourself of the greatest privilege this side of heaven. Jesus Christ died to make this communion and communication with the Father possible -- Billy Graham

Does the Bible ever say anywhere from Genesis to Revelation, 'My house shall be called a house of preaching'? Does it ever say, 'My house shall be called a house of music'? Of course not. The Bible does say, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations'. Preaching, music, the reading of the Word - these things are fine; I believe in and practice all of them. But they must never override prayer as the defining mark of God's dwelling. the honest truth is that I have seen God do more in people's lives during ten minutes of real prayer than in ten of my sermons -- Jim Cymbala

The whole life of the believer should be prayer - and this is the summary and conclusion - every act, every word, every wish. The act that is not prayer in the ultimate, and the word which is not prayer in the last analysis, and the wish that is not prayer in the profoundest depth are to be put away; they do not become the life of faith. They are things that produce fainting -- George Campbell Morgan

I am of the opinion that petitions and intercessions in particular are not effective at all unless accompanied with the strong sense of passion and travail manifested by tears -- Gerald Fix

I was impressed strongly by Charles Finney's comments concerning the "spirit of prayer", which he defined as "that travail of soul that erupts with tears and anguish of heart." He taught and confirmed in his own experience, as well as the experience of Father Nash, his personal prayer warrior, that prayers offered in this manner never failed to bring the result. But prayers offered with dry eyes seldom brought the same results. The Romans 8 passage about the Spirit "helping our infirmities with groanings that cannot be uttered" is evidence of this, since the Spirit's work is from a platform of inside of us! These "groanings" are called by Paul elsewhere "travail". So those groanings from Him come from deep inside of us as we pray. It has been my observation that there are lots and lots of people praying, even praying for revival, but a miniscule few who are praying with this kind of intensity of heart prompted by the presence of the Spirit. This is a kind of praying that can't be manufactured nor simulated, but is prompted only from hearts that are genuinely in tune with the Spirit of God and are pleasing to Him. This was the common form of intercessory prayer practiced by men like John Hyde and Reese Howells, and numerous others. They knew how it worked, and it did work for them on a continual basis -- Gerald Fix

I really don't think there is anything Satan fights against with more vigor and intensity than saints praying, either privately as individuals or collectively as a corporate body. Nothing does greater damage to his kingdom than praying saints, so he makes an all out effort to prevent it, and in our day his success has been very high -- Gerald Fix

I have given up all but my intercessory prayers to focus my attention on remaining in (God's) holy presence. I keep my attention on God in a simple, loving way. This is my soul's secret experience of the actual, unceasing presence of God. It gives me much contentment and joy -- Brother Lawrence

O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There's light for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and free! Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace -- Helen Lemmel

Persevere in your devotion by asking the Lord to provide and protect time alone with Him. Abundant blessings await all who see the Savior through a focused heart -- Muriel Larson

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God -- Colossians 3:2-3

...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith -- Hebrews 12:2

For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal -- 2 Corinthians 4:18

Prayer was appointed to convey The blessings God designs to give; Long as they live should Christians pray, For only while they pray they live. And shall we in dead silence lie, When Christ stands waiting for our prayer? My soul, thou hast a Friend on high; Arise and try thy interest there. If pain afflict, or wrongs oppress; If cares distract, or fears dismay; If guilt deject, if sin distress; The remedy’s before thee - Pray! Depend on Christ, thou canst not fail; Make all thy wants and wishes known. Fear not; His merits must prevail; Ask what thou wilt; it shall be done! -- Joseph Hart

Manasseh, the king, was a wicked man, and had done everything he could against the God of his father; yet in Babylon, when he cried to God, his cry was heard, and he was taken out of prison and put on the throne at Jerusalem. Surely if God gave heed to the prayer of wicked Manasseh, He will hear ours in the time of our distress. Is not this a time of distress with a great number of our fellowmen? Are there not many among us whose hearts are burdened? As we go to the throne of grace, let us remember that GOD ANSWERS PRAYER -- D. L. Moody

Look, again, at Samson. He prayed; and his strength came back, so that he slew more at his death than during his life. He was a restored backslider and he had power with God. If those who have been backsliders will but return to God, they will see how quickly God will answer prayer -- D. L. Moody

Look at Paul and Silas in the prison at Philippi. As they prayed and sang praises, the place was shaken, and the jailer was converted. Probably that one conversion has done more than any other recorded in the Bible to bring people into the kingdom of God. How many have been blessed in seeking to answer the question - “What must I do to be saved?” It was the prayer of those two godly men that brought the jailer to his knees, and that brought blessing to him and his family -- D. L. Moody

You remember how Stephen, as he prayed and looked up, saw the heavens opened, and the Son of Man at the right hand of God; the light of heaven fell on his face so that it shone. Remember, too, how the face of Moses shone as he came down from the Mount; he had been in communion with God. So when we get really into communion with God, He lifts up His countenance upon us; and instead of our having gloomy looks, our faces will shine, because God has heard and answered our prayers -- D. L. Moody

I want to call special attention to Christ as an example for us in all things; in nothing more than in prayer. We read that Christ prayed to His Father for everything. Every great crisis in His life was preceded by prayer. Let me quote a few passages. I never noticed till a few years ago that Christ was praying at His baptism. As He prayed, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended on Him. Another great event in His life was His Transfiguration. “As He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering.” We read again: “It came to pass in those days that He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” This is the only place where it is recorded that the Savior spent a whole night in prayer. What was about to take place? When He came down from the mountain He gathered His disciples around Him, and preached that great discourse known as the Sermon on the Mount - the most wonderful sermon that has ever been preached to mortal men. Probably no sermon has done so much good, and it was preceded by a night of prayer. If our sermons are going to reach the hearts and consciences of the people, we must be much in prayer to God, that there may be power with the word -- D. L. Moody

In the Gospel of John we read that Jesus at the grave of Lazarus lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me; and I know that Thou hearest Me always; but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that Thou hast sent Me.” Notice, that before He spoke the dead to life He spoke to His Father. If our spiritually dead ones are to be raised, we must first get power with God. The reason we so often fail in moving our fellowmen is that we try to win them without first getting power with God. Jesus was in communion with His Father, and so He could be assured that His prayers were heard -- D. L. Moody

“He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down and prayed” I would draw your attention to the recorded fact that four times the answer came right down from heaven while the Savior prayed to God. The first time was at His baptism, when the heavens were opened, and the Spirit descended upon Him in answer to His prayer. Again, on the Mount of Transfiguration, God appeared and spoke to Him. Then when the Greeks came desiring to see Him, the voice of God was heard responding to His call; and again, when He cried to the Father in the midst of His agony, a direct response was given. These things are recorded, I doubt not, that we may be encouraged to pray -- D. L. Moody

All God’s people have been praying people. Look, for instance, at Baxter! He stained his study walls with praying breath; and after he was anointed with the unction of the Holy Ghost, sent a river of living water over Kidderminster, and converted hundreds. Luther and his companions were men of such mighty pleading with God, that they broke the spell of ages, and laid nations subdued at the foot of the Cross. John Knox grasped all Scotland in his strong arms of faith; his prayers terrified tyrants. Whitefield, after much holy, faithful closet pleading, went to the Devil’s fair, and took more than a thousand souls out of the paw of the lion in one day. See a praying Wesley turn more than ten thousand souls to the Lord! Look at the praying Finney, whose prayers, faith, sermons and writings, have shaken this whole country, and sent a wave of blessing through the churches on both sides of the sea -- D. L. Moody

The first true sign of spiritual life, prayer, is also the means of maintaining it. Man can as well live physically without breathing, as spiritually without praying -- Dr. Guthrie

Since I began to beg God’s blessing on my studies, I have done more in one week than in the whole year before - Edward Payson

A great part of my time is spent in getting my heart in tune for prayer. It is the link that connects earth with heaven -- Robert Murray McCheyne

We hear a good deal of praying that is just exhorting, and if you did not see the man’s eyes closed, you would suppose he was preaching -- D. L. Moody

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for [his] only [son], and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for [his] firstborn -- Zec 12:10

We read that His disciples came to Him, and said, “Lord, teach us to pray.” It is not recorded that He taught them how to preach. I have often said that I would rather know how to pray like Daniel than to preach like Gabriel. If you get love into your soul, so that the grace of God may come down in answer to prayer, there will be no trouble about reaching the people. It is not by eloquent sermons that perishing souls are going to be reached; we need the power of God in order that the blessing may come down -- D. L. Moody

The prayer our Lord taught his disciples is commonly called the Lord’s Prayer. I think that the Lord’s prayer, more properly, is that in the seventeenth of John. That is the longest prayer on record that Jesus made. You can read it slowly and carefully in about four or five minutes. I think we may learn a lesson here. Our Master’s prayers were short when offered in public; when He was alone with God that was a different thing, and He could spend the whole night in communion with His Father. My experience is that those who pray most in their closets generally make short prayers in public. Long prayers are too often not prayers at all, and they weary the people. How short the publican’s prayer was: “God be merciful to me a sinner!” The Syrophenician woman’s was shorter still: “Lord help me!” She went right to the mark, and she got what she wanted. The prayer of the thief on the cross was a short one: “Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom!” Peter’s prayer was, “Lord, save me, or I perish!” So, if you go through the Scriptures, you will find that the prayers that brought immediate answers were generally brief. Let our prayers be to the point, just telling God what we want -- D. L. Moody

Those who have left the deepest impression on this sin cursed earth have been men and women of prayer -- D. L. Moody

If we read the Word and do not pray, we may become puffed up with knowledge, without the love that buildeth up. If we pray without reading the Word, we shall be ignorant of the mind and will of God, and become mystical and fanatical, and liable to be blown about by every wind of doctrine -- D. L. Moody

A comprehensive view of the subject will show that there are nine elements which are essential to true prayer. The first is Adoration; we cannot meet God on a level at the start. We must approach Him as One far beyond our reach or sight. The next is Confession; sin must be put out of the way. We cannot have any communion with God while there is any transgression between us. If there stands some wrong you have done a man, you cannot expect that man’s favor until you go to him and confess the fault. Restitution is another; we have to make good the wrong, wherever possible. Thanksgiving is the next; we must be thankful for what God has done for us already. Then comes Forgiveness, and then Unity; and then for prayer, such as these things produce, there must be Faith. Thus influenced, we shall be ready to offer direct Petition. We hear a good deal of praying that is just exhorting, and if you did not see the man’s eyes closed, you would suppose he was preaching. Then, much that is called prayer is simply finding fault. There needs to be more petition in our prayers. After all these, there must come Submission. While praying, we must be ready to accept the will of God. We shall consider these nine elements in detail, closing our inquiries by giving incidents illustrative of the certainty of our receiving, under such conditions, Answers to Prayer -- D. L. Moody

"The true spirit of prayer is no other than God's own Spirit dwelling in the hearts of the saints. And as this spirit comes from God, so doth it naturally tend to God in holy breathings and pantings. It naturally leads to God, to converse with him by prayer." - Jonathan Edwards in Sermon, Hypocrites Deficient in Prayer

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. -- E. M. Bounds

But pray that, above all things, the gates of light may be opened to you; for these things cannot be perceived or understood by all, but only by the man to whom God and His Christ have imparted wisdom - Justin Martyr, “Dialogue of Justin Martyr, with Trypho, a Jew”

The shortest, the surest, the safest way to seek God is to seek Him "in secret." It is not that God is any more really in secret than He is in public: but we are. God is wherever we are. And God is whatever we are, in street, in synagogue, at the family altar, in the closet. It is not that Gcd is one thing on one side of a door of wood, and another thing on the other side of that door: it is that we differ so much according to which side of that door we are on. We all feel it the instant we turn the key, and go to our knees. In that instant we are already new creatures. We feel that this is our proper, and true, and best place. We say, "This is the house of God: this is the gate of heaven." And if you keep the door shut, and give things time to work, very soon your Father and you will be the whole world to one another -- Alexander Whyte

It is quite true that secret prayer is the most purely spiritual of all human employments -- Alexander Whyte

And, even after we have taken all that to heart, and have begun to shut our door, we do not keep it long enough shut. It is quite true that secret prayer is the most purely spiritual of all human employments. That is quite true. Secret prayer is the last thing to be shut up to places and bound down to times. At the same time we men, as Butler says, are what we are. And it is just the extreme spirituality of secret prayer that makes time, as well as seclusion, absolutely indispensable for its proper performance and for its full fruit. If we rush through a few verses of a familiar psalm, or a few petitions of the Lord's prayer, and then up and out of our door as we should not be allowed to do in the presence-chamber of our sovereign, then we had as well,--nay, we had better,--not have gone to our knees at all. But if we enter our closet with half the fear, with half the wonder and awe, with half the anxiety to be recognised and addressed with which we would enter the palace of a prince on earth, then, so willing is God to be approached that He will immediately meet with us and will bless us -- Alexander Whyte

...And then, our friends! how bad we all are to our friends! how short-sighted, how cruel, how thoughtless, how inconsiderate! We send them gifts. Our children cover their Christmas tree with Christmas presents to our friends. Our friends cost us a great deal of thought and trouble and money , from time to time. We send them sheaves of cards with all manner of affectionate devices and verses. We take time and we write our old friends, at home and abroad, letters full of news and of affection on Christmas Day and on New Year's Day. But we never pray for them! Or, at best we pray for them in a moment of time, and in a great hurry. Why do we do everything for our friends but the best thing? How few of us shut our door during all the leisure of the last fortnight, and deliberately and particularly, and with discrimination, and with importunity prayed for our dearest and best friends! We discriminated in our purchases for our friends, lest we should slight or offend our friends: but not in our prayers. Who in the family, who in the congregation, who in the city, who abroad, will be surprised with some blessing this year? Surprised--with some unexpected providence, some despaired-of deliverance, some cross lifted off, or left and richly blessed, some thorn taken out of their flesh, some salvation they had not themselves had faith to ask for? And all because we asked, and importuned, and "shut our door" upon God and ourselves in their behalf. A friend of any kind, and to any extent and degree, is something to have in this cold and lonely world. But to have a friend who has the ear of God, and who fills God's ear from time to time with our name and our case,--Oh, where shall I find such a friend? Oh, who shall find such a friend henceforth in me? -- Alexander Whyte

Get a promise, and spread it before the Lord, and say, "O Lord, thou hast said it; do it." God loves to be believed in. He loves you to think he means what he says. He is a practical God himself. His word has power in it, and he does not like us to treat his promises as some of us do, as if they were waste paper, as if they were things to be read for the encouragement of our enthusiasm, but not to be used as matters of real practical truth. Oh! plead them with God: fill your mouths with reasonings, and come before him. Make this your determination, that as a Church, seeing we need his Spirit, and need renewed prosperity, we will not spare nor leave a single argument unused by which we may prevail with the God of mercy to send us what we want -- C. H. Spurgeon

Oh! prayer cannot fail-prayer cannot fail. Heaven may as soon fall as prayer fail. God may sooner change the ordinances of day and night, than he can cease to reply to the faithful, believing spirit-wrought prayer of his own quickened, earnest, importunate people. Therefore, because he sends success, brethren, pray much -- C. H. Spurgeon

It ought, further, to encourage us in prayer to remember that Daniel was only one man, and yet he won his suit [Dan 9]. But if two of you agree as touching any one thing, it shall be done-but a threefold cord-a fifty-fold cord-oh! if, out of our four thousand members, every one prayed instantly, day and night, for the blessing, oh! what prevalence there must be! Would God it were so! -- C. H. Spurgeon

Brethren, how about your private prayers: are they what they should be? Those morning prayers, those evening prayers, and that midday prayer (for surely your soul must go up to heaven, even if your knees are not bent)-are those prayers as they should be? It will bring leanness upon you; there cannot be fat soul and neglected prayer. There must be much praying if there be much rejoicing in the Lord -- C. H. Spurgeon

I was in a railway carriage the other day, and a gentleman said to me, who was sitting beside me, "My son is going to be married tomorrow-going to be married to one of your members." "I am glad to hear it," I said. "I hope he is a believer." "Oh! yes, sir; he has been a member of your church for some years. I wish you would write me something to give them tomorrow." Well, you know how the carriage will shake, but I managed to jot down something on a little bit of paper with a pencil. The words, I think, that I put were something like this, "I wish you every joy. May your joys be doubled; may your sorrows be divided and lightened." But then I put, "Build the altar before you build the tent. Take care that daily prayer begins your matrimonial life." I am sure we cannot expect our children to grow up a godly seed if there is no family prayer. Are your family prayers, then, what they ought to be? -- C. H. Spurgeon

Do not, I pray you, get into the habit of neglecting the assembling of yourselves together for prayer. How often have I said, "All our strength lies in prayer"! When we were very few, God multiplied us in answer to prayer. What prayers we put up night and day when we launched out to preach the gospel in a larger building! And what an answer God sent us. Since then, in times of need and trouble we have cried to God, and he has heard us. Daily he sends us help for our college, for our orphanage, and for our other works, in answer to prayer. Oh! you that come here as members of the Church, if you do not pray, the very beams out of these walls and the stones will cry out against you -- C. H. Spurgeon

Oh! you that come here as members of the Church, if you do not pray, the very beams out of these walls and the stones will cry out against you. This house was built in answer to prayer. If anybody had said that we, who were but few and poor, could have erected such a structure. I think it would have sounded impossible. But it was done-you know how readily it was done, how God raised us up friends, how he has helped us to this day. Oh! don't stop your prayers. You seem to me, good people, to be very like that king who, when he went to the dying prophet, was told, "Take your arrows and shoot," and he went to the window, and he shot but once, and the prophet was angry and said, "Thou shouldest have shot many times, and then thou wouldest have utterly destroyed thy enemies." And so we pray, as it were, but little. We ask but little, and God gives it. Oh! that we could ask much, and pray for much, and shoot many arrows and plead very earnestly -- C. H. Spurgeon

We may expect great things if we can pray greatly, and wrestle earnestly. I call you, in God's name, to the mercy-seat. Draw near thither, with intense importunity; and such a blessing shall come as ye have not yet imagined -- C. H. Spurgeon

SCRIPTURE: Daniel 9:3-5 "And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments." EXPOSITION: Daniel certainly had rebelled less than any of his countrymen, and yet he is the first to make confession on their behalf. So, my brethren, when we have confessed our own sins, and have found mercy, then we should begin to be intercessors for others. We should make confession for the sins of our families, for the sins of our city, for the sins of our country. If no longer need we plead for salvation for ourselves because we have obtained it, let us give the full force of our prayers for the benefit of others -- C. H. Spurgeon

The power of the Holy Spirit is imparted to the Church of Christ in proportion to the reality and purity of its prayers -- 1904, Bishop John Owens of St. David's

My work is confined to prayer, and it is to such that I have devoted myself for the last 25 years...There are just two things...prayer and preaching - mine is locked up in the first. I work as hard at prayer as if I had undertaken any other form of religious work...By preaching I would reach the limited few - by and through prayer I can reach the whole of mankind through God. But I am afraid that people do not understand what this means and what it involves -- Evan Roberts, October 1932, 27 years after the Welsh Revival

Evan Roberts is like a particle of radium in our midst. Its fire was consuming and felt abroad as something which took away sleep, cleared the channels of tears, and sped the golden wheels of prayer throughout the area...I did not weep much in the 1859 revival, but I have wept now until my heart is supple. In the midst of the greatest tearfulness I have found the greatest joy. I had felt for a year or two that there was a sighing of the wind, and something whispered that the storm could not be far away. Soon I felt the waters begin to cascade. Now the bed belongs to the river and Wales belongs to Christ -- Evan Phillips, speaking on the Welsh Revival of 1904

A day without prayer is a day without blessing, and a life without prayer is a life without power -- Edwin Harvey

Mind how you pray. Make real business of it. Let it never be a dead formality...plead the promise in a truthful, business-like way...Ask for what you want, because the Lord has promised it. Believe that you have the blessing, and go forth to your work in full assurance of it. Go from your knees singing, because the promise is fulfilled: thus will your prayer be answered...the strength [not length] of your prayer...wins...God; and the strength of prayer lies in your faith in the promise which you pleaded before the Lord -- C. H. Spurgeon

Work as if you were to live a hundred years. Pray as if you were to die tomorrow -- Benjamin Franklin

Most men pray for power, the strength to do things. Few people pray for love, the quality to be someone -- Robert D. Foster

Whatsoever we beg of God, let us also work for it -- Jeremy Taylor

Prayer is not a substitute for work, thinking, watching, suffering, or giving; prayer is a support for all other efforts -- George Buttrick

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

Prayer is not giving orders to our father, Prayer is reporting for duty -- Jon Courson

When we hear men trying to make out that they are holy, and speaking about their holiness, they make light of the holiness of God. It is His holiness that we need to think and speak about; when we do that, we shall be prostrate in the dust...We find that Job too, had to be taught the same lesson. "Then Job answered the Lord, and said: Behold I am vile; what shall I answer Thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth." As you hear Job discussing with his friends you would think he was one of the holiest men who ever lived. He was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame; he fed the hungry, and clothed the naked. What a wonderfully good man he was! It was all I, I, I. At last God said to him, "Gird up your loins like a man, and I will put a few questions to you." The moment that God revealed Himself, Job changed his language. He saw his own vileness, and God's purity. He said, "I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth Thee; wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." -- D. L. Moody

The centurion, of whom we read in the eighth of Matthew, said: "Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof;" Jairus "worshipped Him," as he presented his request; the leper, in the Gospel of Mark, came "kneeling down to Him;" the Syrophenician woman "came and fell at His feet;" the man full of leprosy "seeing Jesus, fell on his face." So, too the beloved disciple, speaking of the feeling they had concerning Him when they were abiding with Him as their Lord, said: "We beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." However intimate their companionship, and tender their love, they reverenced as much as they communed, and adored as much as they loved -- D. L. Moody

If you go back to the Scripture records, you will find that the men who lived nearest to God, and had most power with Him, were those who confessed their sins and failures. Daniel, as we have seen, confessed his sins and those of his people. Yet there is nothing recorded against Daniel. He was one of the best men then on the face of the earth, yet was his confession of sin one of the deepest and most humble on record -- D. L. Moody

God is honored by confession of sin every way...And what makes us confess our sins, but that we know there is mercy with Him that He may be feared, and that there is pardon for sin? We would not confess our sins else. With men it is, Confess, and have execution; but with God, Confess, and have mercy. It is His own protestation. We should never lay open our sins but for mercy. So it honors God; and when He is honored, He honors the soul with inward peace and tranquillity -- Richard Sibbes

There is no power like that of prevailing prayer -- of Abraham pleading for Sodom, Jacob wrestling in the stillness of the night, Moses standing in the breach, Hannah intoxicated with sorrow, David heart-broken with remorse and grief, Jesus in sweat and blood. Add to this list from the records of the church your personal observation and experience, and always there is cost of passion unto blood. Such prayer prevails. It turns ordinary mortals into men of power. It brings power. It brings fire. It brings rain. It brings life. It brings God -- Samuel Chadwick

Next to the wonder of seeing my Savior will be, I think, the wonder that I made so little use of the power of prayer -- D.L. Moody

To strive in prayer means to struggle through those hindrances which would restrain or even prevent us entirely from continuing in persevering prayer. It means to be so watchful at all times that we can notice when we become slothful in prayer and that we go to the Spirit of prayer to have this remedied. In this struggle, too, the decisive factor is the Spirit of prayer -- O. Hallesby

It is a tremendously hard thing to pray aright, yea, it is verily the science of all sciences -- Martin Luther

The main lesson about prayer is just this: Do it! Do it! DO IT! You want to be taught to pray. My answer is: pray and never faint, and then you shall never fail -- John Laidlaw

None can believe how powerful prayer is, and what it is able to effect, but those who have learned it by experience. It is a great matter when in extreme need to take hold on prayer. I know, whenever I have prayed earnestly, that I have been amply heard, and have obtained more than I prayed for. God indeed sometimes delayed, but at last He came -- Martin Luther

You know the value of prayer: it is precious beyond all price. Never, never neglect it -- Sir Thomas Buxton

It is not enough to begin to pray, nor to pray aright; nor is it enough to continue for a time to pray; but we must patiently, believingly, continue in prayer until we obtain an answer; and further we have not only to continue in prayer unto the end, but we have also to believe that God does hear us, and will answer our prayers. Most frequently we fail in not continuing in prayer until the blessing is obtained, and in not expecting the blessing -- George Müller

Each time, before you intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things! -- Andrew Murray

There is nothing more appalling than the wholesale way in which unthinking people plead to the Almighty the richest and most spiritual of His promises, and claim their immediate fulfillment, without themselves fulfilling one of the conditions either on which they are promised or can possibly be given -- H. Drummond

If we would pray aright, the first thing we should do is to see to it that we really get an audience with God, that we really get into His very presence. Before a word of petition is offered, we should have the definite consciousness that we are talking to God, and should believe that He is listening and is going to grant the thing that we ask of Him -- Dr. R.A. Torrey

Great grief prays with great earnestness. Prayer is not a collection of balanced phrases; it is the pouring out of the soul. What is love if it be not fiery? What are prayers if the heart be not ablaze? They are the battles of the soul. In them men wrestle with principalities and powers... The prayer that prevails is not the work of lips and fingertips. It is the cry of a broken heart and the travail of a stricken soul -- Samuel Chadwick

And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation -- Is 25:9 KJV

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee -- Is 26:3 KJV

Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength -- Is 26:4 KJV

Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness -- Is 26:8-9 KJV

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak -- Matt 26:41 KJV

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is -- Mark 13:33 KJV

And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint -- Luke 18:1 KJV

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, [and] lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting -- 1Tim 2:1-8 KJV

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer -- Rom 12:12 KJV

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need -- Hbr 4:14-16 KJV

Now of the things which we have spoken [this is] the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens -- Hbr 8:1 KJV

For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us -- Hbr 9:24 KJV

Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us -- Rom 8:34 KJV

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones -- Isa 57:15 KJV

And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation -- Rev 5:7 KJV

And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer [it] with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne -- Rev 8:3 KJV

Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ -- Eph 1:3 KJV

And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus -- Eph 2:6 KJV

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory -- Col 3:1 KJV

Prayer does not enable us to do a greater work for God. Prayer IS a greater work for God -- Thomas Chalmers

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, Uttered or unexpressed, The motion of a hidden fire, That trembles in the breast -- James Montgomery

Prayer is much more that just giving a list of desires to God, as if He were the great Sugar Daddy/Santa Claus in the sky. Prayer is acknowledging and experiencing the presence of God and inviting His presence into our lives and circumstances. It's seeking the presence of God and releasing the power of God which gives us the means to overcome any problem -- Stormie Omartian, "A Passion for Prayer"

Whatever you ask in my name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in my name, I will do it -- John 14:13-14

One [thing] have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple -- Psalms 27:4

Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? and [there is] none upon earth [that] I desire beside thee -- Psalms 73:25

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land -- 2Ch 7:14

The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit -- Psalms 34:18

The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise -- Psalms 51:17

The LORD [is] nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them -- Psalms 145:18

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, [is] the LORD of hosts: the whole earth [is] full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, [which] he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid [it] upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here [am] I; send me -- Isa 6:1-8

For all those [things] hath mine hand made, and all those [things] have been, saith the LORD: but to this [man] will I look, [even] to [him that is] poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word -- Isa 66:2

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted -- Luke 18:9

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting -- Psalms 139:23

I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved -- Hab 2:1

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel. For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak -- Eph 6:10-20

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice -- Psalms 55:17

I thank God, whom I serve from [my] forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day -- 2Tim 1:3

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive -- Matt 21:22

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed -- James 1:5-6

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them]. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses -- Mark 11:24

But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him -- Hbr 11:6

Dan 10:2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks... 12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision [is] for [many] days...

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit -- Jam 5:14-18

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid [their] hands on them, they sent [them] away -- Act 13:2-3

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou [wilt] -- Matt 26:39

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass -- Psalms 37:4-5

Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in [your] prayers to God for me -- Rom 15:30

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered -- Rom 8:26

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life -- Jude 1:20

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not -- Jer 33:3

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God -- 1Cor 2:9-10

I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly -- Psalms 85:8

Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth -- Psalms 46:10

All that needs to happen in our lives cannot happen without the presence and the power of God. Prayer invites and ignites them both - Stormie Omartian, “A Passion for Prayer”

...prayer is more than an order of words, the conscious occupation of the mind, or the sound of the voice praying -- T. S. Eliot

Now brethren, if you sow seed you may be very feeble, but it is not your hand that puts the seed into the ground which produces the harvest - it is the vitality of the seed -- C. H. Spurgeon

And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before -- Job 42:10

Our being with God is of use only as we expend its priceless benefits on men -- E. M. Bounds

It is impossible for the preacher to keep his spirit in harmony with the divine nature of his high calling without much prayer. That the preacher by dint of duty and laborious fidelity to the work and routine of the ministry can keep himself in trim and fitness is a serious mistake. Even sermon-making, incessant and taxing as an art, as a duty, as a work, or as a pleasure, will engross and harden, will estrange the heart, by neglect of prayer, from God. The scientist loses God in nature. The preacher may lose God in his sermon -- E. M. Bounds

Prayer is no petty duty, put into a corner; no piecemeal performance made out of the fragments of time which have been snatched from business and other engagements of life; but it means that the best of our time, the heart of our time and strength must be given…It must enter as strongly into the heart and life as Christ’s "strong crying and tears" did; must draw out the soul into an agony of desire as Paul’s did; must be an inwrought fire and force like the "effectual, fervent prayer" of James; must be of that quality which, when put into the golden censer and incensed before God, works mighty spiritual throes and revolutions -- E. M. Bounds

Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still. He will never talk well and with real success to men for God who has not learned well how to talk to God for men. More than this, prayerless words in the pulpit and out of it are deadening words -- E. M. Bounds

The preacher must, by prayer, move God toward the people before he can move the people to God by his words -- E. M. Bounds

He doesn't begin to work at all until He has all we have -- Alan Redpath

The condition of an enlightened mind is a surrendered heart -- Alan Redpath

Before we can pray, "Lord, Thy Kingdom come," we must be willing to pray, "My Kingdom go." -- Alan Redpath

A prayerless pastor can be a successful failure -- Alan Redpath

If I only really prayed when I felt like praying, I wouldn't pray very often -- Alan Redpath

I recall a time when it was painful to enter my study....on my desk was a neglected prayer list -- Alan Redpath

True prayer uncovers the emptiness in the petitioner but the fullness in the Petitioned -- Watchman Nee

All who have fought against the enemy on their knees shall see him routed upon their rising up -- Watchman Nee

If a believer fails in prayer, he in fact fails in everything -- Watchman Nee

It is natural to man, from his earliest infancy, to cry for relief when in danger or distress, if he supposes that any one able to relieve him is within hearing of his cries. Every man then who feels his own dependence upon God, and his need of blessings which God only can bestow, will pray to Him. He will feel that prayer is not only his duty, but his highest privilege -- Edward Payson

As a man prays, so is he -- A. W. Tozer

We must take time to CONSIDER, WAIT, BE STILL BEFORE HIM IN MEDITATION AND PRAYER. We must truly know Him, and that takes time, Job says "How little a portion is known of Him." Oh, to wonder at and worship Him for His character, perfections and works -- A. W. Tozer

In my creature impatience I am often caused to wish that there were some way to bring modern Christians in a deeper spiritual life painlessly by short, easy lessons; but such wishes are vain. No shortcut exists. God has not bowed to our nervous haste nor embraced the methods of our machine age. It is well that we accept the hard truth now: The man who would know God must give time to Him. He must count no time wasted which is spent in the cultivation of His acquaintance. He must give himself to prayer and meditation -- A. W. Tozer

The disciples didn't come to Jesus and say; "Lord teach us to preach or teach us to cast out demons", but "Teach us to pray" -- Jon Courson 

We may pray most when we say least, and we may pray least when we say most -- St. Augustine of Hippo. (354-430 A.D.)

I care not what black spiritual crisis we may come through or what delightful spiritual Canaan we may enter, no blessing of the Christian life becomes continually possessed unless we are men and women of regular, daily, unhurried secret lingerings in prayer -- J. Sidlow Baxtor

A man is powerful on his knees -- Corrie Ten Boom

God has of his own motion placed himself under the law of prayer, and has obligated himself to answer the prayers of men. He has ordained prayer as a means whereby he will do things through men as they pray, which he would not otherwise do. If prayer puts God to work on earth, then, by the same token, prayerlessness rules God out of the world's affairs, and prevents him from working. The driving power, the conquering force in God's cause is God himself. 'Call on me and I will answer thee and who thee great and mighty things which though knowest not,' is God's challenge to prayer. Prayer puts God in full force into God's work -- E. M. Bounds, "The Weapon of Prayer" Chap. 2

. . . every preacher who does not make prayer a mighty factor in his own life and ministry is weak as a factor in God's work and is powerless to project God's cause in this world -- E. M. Bounds

Prayer is not conquering God's reluctance, but taking hold of God's willingness -- Phillips Brooks

Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks commensurate with your strength. Pray for strength commensurate with your tasks -- Phillips Brooks

Prayer crowns God with the honor and glory due to His name, and God crowns prayer with assurance and comfort. The most praying souls are the most assured souls -- Thomas B. Brooks

In prayer, it is better to have heart without words, than words without heart. Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin entice a man to cease from prayer. The spirit of prayer is more precious than treasures of gold and silver. Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan -- John Bunyan

The best prayers often have more groans than words -- John Bunyan

Since America's founding, prayer has reassured us that the hand of God is guiding the affairs of this nation. We have never asserted a special claim on His favor, yet we've always believed in God's presence in our lives. This has always been true. But it has never been more true since September the 11th. Prayer has comforted people in grief. Prayer has served as a unifying factor in our nation. Prayer gives us strength for the journey ahead -- George W. Bush

I work the ropelines a lot, and people say, 'Mr. President, I pray for you and your family.' I turn to them, I look them in the eye, and say, that's the greatest gift you can give. That's the greatest gift you can give. I mean it with all sincerity -- George W. Bush

Prayer is not a substitute for work, thinking, watching, suffering, or giving; prayer is a support for all other efforts -- George Buttrick

To know God as the sovereign disposer of all good, inviting us to present our requests, and yet not to approach or ask of him, were so far from availing us, that it were just as if one told of a treasure were to allow it to remain buried in the ground -- John Calvin, "Institutes of the Christian Religion, Of Prayer"

Prayer requires more of the heart than the tongue -- Adam Clarke

If you live in the neglect of secret prayer, you show your good will to neglect all the worship of God. He that prays only when he prays with others, would not pray at all, were it not that the eyes of others are upon him. He that will not pray where none but God seeth him, manifestly doth not pray at all out of respect to God, or regard to his all-seeing eye, and therefore doth in effect cast off all prayer. And he that casts off prayer, in effect casts off all the worship of God, of which prayer is the principal duty -- Jonathan Edwards, "Hypocrites Deficient in the Duty of Prayer"

He who fails to pray does not cheat God. He cheats himself -- George Failing

Many persons, being told that God answers prayer for Christ's sake, overlook the condition of obedience. They have so loose an idea of prayer, and of our relations to God in it, and of his relations to us and to his moral government, that they think they may be disobedient and yet prevail through Christ. How little do they understand the whole subject! Surely they must have quite neglected to study their Bible to learn the truth about prayer. They might very easily have found it there declared, "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be an abomination." "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord." "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." All this surely teaches us that if there be the least sin in my heart, the Lord will not hear my prayer. Nothing short of entire obedience for the time being is the condition of acceptance with God. There must be a sincere and honest heart -- Charles G. Finney

Persons never need hesitate, because of their past sins, to approach God with the fullest confidence. If they now repent, and are conscious of fully and honestly returning to God with all their heart, they have no reason to fear being repulsed from the footstool of mercy -- Charles G. Finney

It is only those that live and walk with God whose prayers are of any avail to themselves, to the church, or to the world. Only those whose conscience does not condemn them, and who live in a state of conscious acceptance with God. They can pray. According to our text, they receive whatever they ask, because they keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight -- Charles G. Finney

When I speak of moving God, I do not mean that God's mind is changed by prayer, or that His disposition or character is changed. But prayer produces such a change in us as renders it consistent for God to do as it would not be consistent for Him to do otherwise -- Charles G. Finney

Remember that you can pray any time, anywhere. Washing dishes, digging ditches, working in the office, in the shop, on the athletic field, even in prison - you can pray and know God hears -- Billy Graham

Furnish thyself with arguments from the promises to enforce thy prayers, and make them prevalent with God. The promises are the ground of faith, and faith, when strengthened, will make thee fervent, and such fervency ever speeds and returns with victory out of the field of prayer.... The mightier any is in the Word, the more mighty he will be in prayer -- William Gurnall

In every storm there is a 'Peace! Be still' Christ will speak where prayer's call invites Him -- Jack Hayford

There are ideas in our hearts, there are wishes, there are aspirations, there are groanings, there are sighings that the world knows nothing about; but God knows them. So words are not always necessary. When we cannot express our feelings except in wordless groanings, God knows exactly what is happening -- D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

According to my humble judgment, the greatest need of the present-day church is prayer. Prayer should be the vital breath of the church, but right now it is gasping for air. One of the great Bible teachers of the past said that the church goes forward on its knees. Maybe one of the reasons the church is not going forward today is because it's not in a position to go forward - we are not on our knees in prayer -- J. Vernon McGee

The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer -- F. B. Meyer

I believe in definite prayer. Abraham prayed for Sodom. Moses interceded for the children of Israel. How often our prayers go all around the world, without real definite asking for anything! -- D.L. Moody The greatest need of the church today is more of the presence and power of the Spirit of God. O that Christians were roused to greater earnestness and importunity in prayer! I believe that the greatest revival the church has ever seen would result. God help us, each one, to be faithful in doing our share -- D.L. Moody

I myself have for twenty-nine years been waiting for an answer to prayer concerning a certain spiritual blessing. Day by day have I been enabled to continue in prayer for this blessing. At home and abroad, in this country and in foreign lands, in health and in sickness, however much occupied, I have been enabled, day by day, by God's help, to bring this matter before Him; and still I have not the full answer yet. Nevertheless, I look for it. I expect it confidently. The very fact that day after day, and year after year, for twenty-nine years, the Lord has enabled me to continue, patiently, believingly, to wait on Him for the blessing, still further encourages me to wait on; and so fully am I assured that God hears me about this matter, that I have often been enabled to praise Him beforehand for the full answer, which I shall ultimately receive to my prayers on this subject. Thus, you see, dear reader, that while I have hundreds, yes, thousands of answers, year by year, I have also, like yourself and other believers, the trial of faith concerning certain matters -- George Mueller

The great point is, that we ask only for that which it would be for the glory of God to give to us; for that, and that alone, can be for our real good. But it is not enough that the thing for which we ask God be for His honour and glory, but we must secondly ask it in the name of the Lord Jesus, viz., expect it only on the ground of His merits and worthiness. Thirdly, we should believe that God is able and willing to give us what we ask Him for. Fourthly, we should continue in prayer till the blessing is granted; without fixing to God a time when, or the circumstances under which, He should give the answer. Patience should be in exercise, in connection with our prayer. Fifthly, we should, at the same time, look out for and expect an answer till it comes. If we pray in this way, we shall not only have answers, thousands of answers to our prayers; but our own souls will be greatly refreshed and invigorated in connection with these answers -- George Mueller

On that judgment day there will be multitudes of people whom I will meet for the first time, who will say to me, 'You faithless preacher, you covered up your indifference to us by many texts and sermons, but you did not really care, because you did not really pray.' Oh, how this has kept me awake many nights! -- Alan Redpath

If you are going to be a preacher or a teacher of the Word, the wind and the fire from God are what you must have. You can afford to be ten times less clever if only you are ten times more spiritual -- Alan Redpath

“If you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” [Is. 58:10] There is significant overlap between the 10,000 “unreached peoples” without a church in their midst and the “hungry half” of the world without adequate physical and material resources. Isaiah reminds us that the people of God are called not only to spend their money to feed the hungry, but also to spend themselves, to pour out their lives in sacrificial service. That service cannot be token, but must “satisfy the needs” of the oppressed. Isaiah also points out that those who serve receive the fruits of service: healing, answered prayer, guidance, personal provision, and joy. => Gracious Father, teach us to “spend ourselves” on behalf of those who are desperately hungry both for bread and the Bread of Life -- US Center for World Mission, “Adopt-A-People” January 14, 2003 

We must face the fact that for our churches and ministries to be all God wants them to be, they MUST be saturated with prayer. No new revelation or church-growth technique will change the fact that spiritual power is ALWAYS linked to communion with God. If you and I are prayerless, if our churches have no appetite for God's presence, we will never reach our full potential in Him -- Jim Cymbala, "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire", from its last chapter titled "A Word to Pastors"

We must always remember that prayer is a gift from the Holy Spirit, and we can't work it up. So give God time to work in people's hearts. After they have experienced the joy and power of His presence, God will be able to do even greater things -- Jim Cymbala, "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire", from its last chapter titled "A Word to Pastors"

I will call upon the LORD, [who is worthy] to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies Ps 18:3

I believe that today, by its lukewarmness and formality, the Christian Church is making more infidels than all the books that infidels ever wrote. I do not fear infidel lectures half so much as the cold and dead formalism in the professing church at the present time. One prayer meeting like that the disciples had on the day of Pentecost, would shake the whole infidel fraternity -- D. L. Moody

What we want is to get hold of God in prayer. You are not going to reach the masses by great sermons. We want to "move the Arm that moves the world." To do that, we must be clear and right before God. "For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things, Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have confidence toward God; and whatsoever we ask we receive of Him because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." -- D. L. Moody

A Psalm of David. Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the LORD [is] upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD [is] upon many waters. The voice of the LORD [is] powerful; the voice of the LORD [is] full of majesty -- Psalm 29:1-4

Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places], Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all -- Eph 1:16-23

That when an occasion of practicing some virtue offered, he addressed himself to GOD, saying, LORD, I cannot do this unless Thou enablest me; and that then he received strength more than sufficient -- Brother Lawrence

Confession implies humility, and this, in God’s sight, is of great price -- D. L. Moody

Bear in mind that if we are regarding iniquity in our hearts, or living on a mere empty profession, we have no claim to expect that our prayers will be answered. There is not one solitary promise for us. I sometimes tremble when I hear people quote promises, and say that God is bound to fulfill those promises to them, when all the time there is something in their own lives which they are not willing to give up. It is well for us to search our hearts, and find out why it is that our prayers are not answered -- D. L. Moody

Unconfessed sin is unforgiven sin, and unforgiving sin is the darkest, foulest thing on this sin-cursed earth. You cannot find a case in the Bible where a man has been honest in dealing with sin, but God has been honest with him and blessed him. The prayer of the humble and the contrite heart is a delight to God -- D. L. Moody

Let me call attention to that prayer of David, in which he says: "Search me, O, God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" I wish all my readers would commit these verses to memory. If we should all honestly make this prayer once every day there would be a good deal of change in our lives. "Search ME:" not my neighbor. It is so easy to pray for other people, but so hard to get home to ourselves. I am afraid that we who are busy in the Lord’s work, are very often in danger of neglecting our vineyard. In this Psalm, David got home to himself. There is a difference between God searching me and my searching myself. I may search my heart, and pronounce it all right, but when God searches me as with a lighted candle, a good many things will come to light that perhaps I knew nothing about. "Try me." David was tried when he fell by taking his eye off from the God of his father Abraham. "Know my thoughts." God looks at the thoughts. Are our thoughts pure? Have we in our hearts thoughts against God or against His people against any one in the world? If we have, we are not right in the sight of God. Oh, may God search us, every one! I do not know any better prayer that we can make than this prayer of David. One of the most solemn things in the Scripture history is that when holy men better men than we are were tested and tried, they were found to be as weak as water away from God. Let us be sure that we are right. -- D. L. Moody

I think if God searches us, we will find a good many things in our lives for us to confess. If we are tried and tested by God’s law, there will be many, many things that will have to be changed. I ask again: Are we selfish or jealous? Are we willing to hear of others being used of God more than we are? Are our Methodist friends willing to hear of a great revival of God’s work among the Baptists? Would it rejoice their souls to hear of such efforts being blessed? Are Baptists willing to hear of a reviving of God’s work in the Methodist, Congregational, or other churches? If we are full of narrow, party and sectarian feelings, there will be many things to be laid aside. Let us pray to God to search us, and try us, and see if there be any evil way in us. If these holy and good men felt that they were faulty, should we not tremble, and endeavor to find out if there is anything in our lives that God would have us get rid of? -- D. L. Moody

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is -- Mark 13:33

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man -- Luke 21:36

And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly [is] ready, but the flesh [is] weak -- Mark 14:37

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving -- Col 4:2

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD -- Psalm 31:24

...True prayer is measured by weight,-not by length. A single groan before God may have more fullness of prayer in it than a fine oration of great length. -- C. H. Spurgeon

‘Our Father.’ Princes on earth give themselves titles expressing their greatness, as ‘High and Mighty.’ God might have done so, and expressed himself thus, ‘Our King of glory, our Judge:’ but he gives himself another title, ‘Our Father,’ an expression of love and condescension. That he might encourage us to pray to him, he represents himself under the sweet notion of a Father. ‘Our Father.’ Dulce nomen Patris [Sweet is the name of Father]. The name Jehovah carries majesty in it:the name Father carries mercy in it. -- Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer"

You think spending extended time seeking God's direction takes too much time and is too costly, try not doing it and see how much energy and time you will waste pursuing the wrong things and not having God's direction and blessing on the things you do pursue -- Greg Richard

Confidence in myself is very near to apostasy - write that down, and when you've had some sleep, think it through -- Alan Redpath

The real test of the saint isn't preaching the gospel, but, washing disciples' feet; that is, doing the thing that doesn't count in the actual estimate of men, but, counts everything in the estimate of God -- Alan Redpath

Until we learn to pray fervently, from a heart that is made fervent through the infusion of the love of Christ, our prayers will be nothing more than religious exercises in futility. All of the great men of God who accomplished anything of consequence for Him were men who learned what it meant to experience fervency in prayer. The passion and travail was a common experience with every one of them, and must become common with us if we expect to see results anything like they saw! -- Gary Fix

We can, through our own faith and our prayers, lift the world off its hinges - if only we will!. No, God isn't interested in puppets; He is looking for people who will say yes to His invitation and make a difference in the world. He is looking for people who understand that in making Himself susceptible to our influence, He has given us, "the keys of the Kingdom" (Matt. 16:19) - the power to change human history for the better -- Brother Andrew

God loves us and wants to meet all our needs. He wants to give us the desires of our hearts, but God also desires that we seek His face, not just His hand -- Charles Stanley

The world says seeing is believing, but faith says believing is seeing -- Charles Stanley

God loves you so much he can't take his eyes off of you - Unknown

The basis of prayer is sonship. Prayer is possible and reasonable because it is filial. It is natural for a child to ask something of its father, and it is reasonable for the father to listen to the request of his child. ”If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him” (see Matt 7:7-1). There are many problems about prayer, but they lie outside the fact and experience of prayer, and apart from praying, there is not solution to them. Prayer is a fact of experience, and through all the ages the testimony of those who prayed has been that God hears and answers the prayer of His children -- Samuel Chadwick, “The Path of Prayer”

There is no way to learn to pray but by praying. No reasoned philosophy of prayer ever taught a soul to pray. The subject is beset with problems, but there are no problems of prayer to the man who prays! They are all met in the fact of answered prayer and the joy of fellowship with God -- Samuel Chadwick, “The Path of Prayer”

Prayer touches infinite extremes. It is so simple that a little child can pray, and it is so profound that none but a child-heart can pray -- Samuel Chadwick, “The Path of Prayer”

A cry brings God. A cry is mightier than the polished phrase -- Samuel Chadwick, “The Path of Prayer”

A cry brings God. A cry is mightier than the polished phrase. The Pharisee prayed within himself. His prayers revolved around on ruts of vanity in his own mind and heart. The publican cried and was heard. It is not of emergency exits of the soul that we are thinking but the sustained habit and experience of the man of prayer. Such prayer comes by training, and there is no discipline so exacting -- Samuel Chadwick, “The Path of Prayer”

To pray as God would have us pray is the greatest acheivement of earth. Such a life of prayer costs. It takes time. Hurried prayers and muttered litanies can never produce souls mighty in prayer. Learners give hours regularly every day that they may become proficient in art and mechanism. Our Lord rose before daybreak that He might pray, and not infrequently He spent all night in prayer. All praying saints have spent hours every day in prayer. One is afraid to quote examples. In these days there is no time to pray; but, without time, and a lot of it, we shall never learn to pray. It ought to be possible to give God one hour of twenty-four all to Himself. Anyway, let us make a start in the discipline of training in prayer by setting apart a fixed time every day for the exercise of prayer -- Samuel Chadwick, “The Path of Prayer”

Believe me, to pray with all your heart and strength, with the reason and the will, to believe vividly that God will listen to your voice through Christ, and verily to do the thing He pleaseth thereupon - this is the last, the greatest acheivement of the Christian’s warfare upon the earth -- Samuel Chadwick, “The Path of Prayer”

...Thou art oft most present, Lord, In weak, distracted prayer; A sinner out of heart with self, Most often finds Thee there. For prayer that humbles sets the soul From all delusions free, And teaches it how utterly Dear Lord, it hangs on Thee - Unknown

We have taught America's children to feast and play. It's now time to teach them to fast and pray. Prophets are forged in deserts of fasting not the desserts of feasting -- Lou Engle 

No wonder that they prospered so well when Paul always made mention of them in his prayers. Some churches would prosper better if some of you remembered them more in prayer -- C. H. Spurgeon

The moment you wake up each morning all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists in shoving it all back, in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in -- C. S. Lewis

We have taught America's children to feast and play. The times demand that they fast and pray. Before a Great Awakening must come a rude awakening -- Lou Engle 

Oh Lord please light the fire, that once burned bright and clear. Replace the lamp of my first love, that burns with holy fear -- Keith Green

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit will not come through token prayers, but by wrestling in fasting and prayer against sin, apathy, and self-indulgence. At critical moments in Biblical history, united gatherings of fasting and prayer changed the course of the nation -- Lou Engle 

The heavens cannot contain God our Father, but He dwells in the inner chamber of the soul. He is in the secret, and seeth in secret. He waits and watches the opening of the sanctuary door. It is holy ground, and must be approached with reverence. The soul must summon all its powers for this its holiest exercise. Here the mind must be at its best, that it may think of God and Life. Thought of God is more than thinking of our thoughts about Him. Communion is deeper than theology. Prayer in secret is life expression in the realized Presence of God our Father - Samuel Chadwick

Nevertheless, prayer is the best used means of drawing near to God -- C. H. Spurgeon

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee -- Isaiah 26:3

But it is good for me to draw near to God -- Psalm 73:23

It's not enough for me to carry memory verses around with me. I've got to encounter the voice of the living God every single day, and that encounter happens in prayer -- Doug Goins

But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ -- 1 Corinthians 15:57

Know answered prayers when you see ‘em, and don't give up when you don't. And to sum it up: Nails didn't hold God to a cross. Love did. When Jesus went home, He left the front door wide open. Be fishers of men.... You catch 'em, He'll clean 'em -- unknown

Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice -- Psalms 141:2

And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven -- 1 Kings 8:54

And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God, 6 And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens -- Ezra 9:5

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker -- Psalms 95:6

And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean -- Mark 1:40

And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground -- Nehemiah 8:6

Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle -- Psalms 28:2

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD -- Psalms 134:2

We set the sail, God makes the wind -- unknown

The sun has never risen upon China without finding me at prayer -- Hudson Taylor

Pray hardest when it is hardest to pray -- Charles H. Brent

True peace is when the soul revolves around its center, Almighty God, craving for nothing but what God continually supplies. Since the soul is large enough to contain the infinite God, nothing less than Himself can satisfy or fill it -- Edward B. Pusey

I have no home, until I am in the realized presence of God. This holy presence is my inward home, and, until I experience it, I am a homeless wonderer, a straying sheep in waste howling wilderness -- Anonymous

Prayer is the highest activity of the human soul, and therefore it is at the same time the ultimate test of a man’s true spiritual condition. Everything we do in the Christian life is easier than prayer. I do not want people who come with me under certain reservations. In battle you need soldiers who fear nothing -- Pere Didon

Beware of prayerless tears and beware of tearless prayers -- Anonymous

Gethsemane is where He died; the cross is only the evidence -- Leonard Ravenhill

The Kingdom of Heaven is not for the well-meaning: it is for the desperate -- James Denney

God creates out of nothing, therefore, until a man is nothing, God can make nothing out of him -- Martin Luther

If your in charge and you stop rowing, don't be surprised if the rest of your crew stops too -- unknown

Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and repents of evil. Who knows whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him -- Joel 2:12-14

Do you rend your garments but not your hearts? God says, "Don't try to fool me with your outside self. I'm not interested in that. Don't bother with hypocritical attitudes and actions. They don't impress me in the least. I want to see the heart rent." That is the thing. God is utterly unimpressed by our hypocrisy. We may fool others. We can even fool ourselves. But we don't fool him. Unless our heart is really rent before him, torn garments mean nothing -- Ray C. Stedman

It were rudeness for any one to do that to a king which a king's son may do. A king's own child may talk familiarly to his own parent, and there are love-doings and words of high and hallowed familiarity, and of close and sacred communing, between God and his own adopted child, that I could not tell you—things that are something like what Paul heard in Paradise, it is scarce lawful for a man to utter them in public, though in private he knows their sweetness. Ah I my dear hearers, some of you, I doubt not, know more about this than I do, but this I know, it is the happiest moment in one's life when we can go up to our Father and our God in Christ Jesus, and can know and feel of a surety that his infinite love is set on us, and that our love is gone forth to him. There is a sweet embrace that is not to be excelled -- C. H. Spurgeon

The pack mules of revival are always the humble and persistent prayers of the saints -- unknown

Preaching which kills is prayerless preaching. Without prayer the preacher creates death, and not life. The preacher who is feeble in prayer is feeble in life-giving forces...Long, discursive, dry, and inane are the prayers in many pulpits. Without unction or heart, they fall like a killing frost on all the graces of worship. Death-dealing prayers they are. Every vestige of devotion has perished under their breath. The deader they are the longer they grow. A plea for short praying, live praying, real heart praying, praying by the Holy Spirit, direct, specific, ardent, simple, unctuous in the pulpit is in order. A school to teach preachers how to pray, as God counts praying, would be more beneficial to true piety, true worship, and true preaching than all theological schools -- E. M. Bounds

Nothing so reveals the defective spiritual life in minister and congregation as the lack of believing and unceasing prayer. Prayer is indeed the pulse of the spiritual life. It is the great means of bringing to the minister and people the blessing and power of heaven -- Andrew Murray

...many were anxious to make a new beginning, and yet they had not the courage to expect that they would be able to maintain that prayer life that they saw to be in accordance with the Word of God. They had often made the attempt but had failed. They did not dare to make any promise to the Lord to live and to pray as He would have them; they felt it was an impossibility for them. Such confessions gradually led to the great truth that the only power for a new prayer life is to be found in an entirely new relationship to our blessed Savior. It is as we see in Him the Lord who saves us from sin - including the sin of prayerlessness - and our faith yields itself to a life of closer communion with Him, that a life in His love and fellowship will make prayer to Him the natural expression of our soul's life -- Andrew Murray (concerning a ministers conference that led to his book "The Prayer Life")

Early copies of the book were sent out with the thought that if the leaders of the church, ministers and elders, begin to see that in spiritual work everything depends upon prayer, and that God Himself is the Helper of those who wait upon Him, it would indeed be a day of hope for our church. It was at the same time meant for all believers who lonong for a life of more entire separation to the Lord. For all who desired to pray more and pray better, it sought to point them to the glory of God in the inner chamber, and the way in which that glory can rest upon the soul -- Andrew Murray (concerning a ministers conference that led to his book "The Prayer Life")

For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength... -- Isa 30:15

When we don't want to pray, it's because we really don't want to hear what the Spirit is saying to us, for, this will always include the message "you must be broken" -- Steve Mays 

It is quite certain that we cannot all be Elijahs or Elishas, Abrahams or Daniels, George Muellers or Hudson Taylors, Thomas Barnardos or "Praying Hydes," but that is no reason why we should not be men [and women] of prayer. There are praying men in the Scriptures of whom no miracles are told. They moved in other spheres. They were workers in the workshop of the world... Nehemiah prayed, and nothing happened! Oh yes, there did! Something happened IN Nehemiah, and a miracle in personality is greater than a miracle in nature. Emotion turned to prayer, and prayer turned to conviction; then conviction generated purpose, and purpose directed energy; then energy vitalized activity, until the two sayings come together : "So I prayed", and "So we built." The praying of Nehemiah wrought no startling and dramatic manisfestation of supernatural power, but it built the wall and restored the city, and in the will of God that was his work. Prayer was the maintained attitude and continued habit of his life. There are those who reserve prayer for special and desperate occasions. We read of some who prayed because they were at their wits' end. Most people pray when they get there. Some pray under the stress of an emotional mood. Nehemiah prayed all the time, all the way through, and about everything. It was so entirely his habit to pray that he became a man of prayer -- Samuel Chadwick

Prayer is the key to perfection, and the sovereign good; it is the means of delivering us from every vice, and obtaining us every virtue; for the one great means of becoming perfect, is to walk in the presence of God -- Madame Jeane Guyon 

Nothing is so easily obtained as the possession and enjoyment of God. He is more present to us than we are to ourselves. He is more desirous of giving Himself to us than we are to possess Him; we only need to know how to seek Him, and the way is easier and more natural to us than breathing -- Madame Jeane Guyon 

And now thou didst "stretch forth thy hand from above" and didst draw up my soul out out of that profound darkness [of Manicheism] because my mother, thy faithful one, wept to thee on my behalf more than mothers are accustomed to weep for the bodily deaths of their children. For by the light of the faith and spirit which she received from thee, she saw that I was dead. And thou didst hear her, O Lord, thou didst hear her and despised not her tears when, pouring down, they watered the earth under her eyes in every place where she prayed. Thou didst truly hear her -- Augustine, "Confessions," Book Three, Chapter XI

God always fills in all hearts all the room which is left Him there -- F. W. Faber

There's nothing more transfiguring than prayer. People often ask, "Why do you insist on prayer so much?" The answer is very simple - because Jesus did. You could change the title of the Gospel according to St. Luke to the Gospel of Prayer. It's the prayer life of Jesus. The other evangelists say that Jesus was in the Jordan and the Spirit descended on Him as a dove - Luke says it was while He was praying that the Spirit descended on Him. The other evangelists say that Jesus chose 12 disciples - Luke says it was after He spent a night in prayer that He chose 12 disciples. The other evangelists say that Jesus died on a cross - Luke says that even when He was dying Jesus was praying for those who persecuted Him. The other evangelists say Jesus went on a mount and He was transfigured - Luke says it was while He was praying that He was transfigured. There's nothing more transfiguring than prayer -- Leonard Ravenhill 

Now I say very often - and people don't like it - that God doesn't answer prayer. He answers desperate prayer! Your prayer life denotes how much you depend on your own ability, and how much you really believe in your heart when you sing, "Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling...." The more self- confidence you have, the less you pray. The less self-confidence you have, the more you have to pray -- Leonard Ravenhill 

True prayer is a two-way communication. I speak to God and God speaks to me. I don't know how the Spirit makes communication - or why God needs me to pray - but that's how God works -- Leonard Ravenhill 

Duncan Campbell told the story of hearing a farmer in his field who was praying. He was praying about Greece. Afterward, he asked him why he was praying. The man said, "I don't know. I had a burden in the spirit and God said, 'You pray; there's someone in Greece that is in a bad situation.' I prayed until I got a release." Two or three years later the farmer was in a meeting listening to a missionary. The man described a ta time when he was working in Greece. He had been in serious trouble. The time? Two or three years ago. The men compared notes and discovered that it was the very same day that God had burdened a farmer, on a little island off the coast of Scotland, to pray for a man in Greece whose name he didn't even know. It may seem the Lord gives you strange things. I don't care. If the Lord tells you something, carry on with what the Lord tells you -- Leonard Ravenhill 

We've said that prayer changes things. No! Prayer doesn't change things. Prayer changes people and they change things. We all want Gabriel to do the job. God says do it yourself - with My sufficiency and My strength -- Leonard Ravenhill 

God, I pray Thee, light these idle sticks of my life and may I burn for Thee. Consume my life, my God, for it is Thine. I seek not a long life, but a full one, like you, LORD Jesus -- Jim Elliot

The prospects are as bright as the promises of God -- Adoniram Judson

Why should anyone hear the gospel twice until everyone has heard it once? -- Oswald J Smith

God's work done in God's way will not lack God's supply -- Hudson Taylor

I have sometimes seen, in the morning sun, the smoke of a thousand villages where no missionary has ever been -- David Livingstone

Attempt great things things for God; expect great things from God -- William Carey

GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, [that] I may live, and keep thy word -- Psalms 119:17

Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law -- Psalms 119:18

You must, then, learn a species of prayer which may be exercised at all times; which does not obstruct outward employments; which may be equally practiced by princes, kings, prelates, priests and magistrates, soldiers and children, tradesmen, laborers, women, and sick persons; it is not the prayer of the head, but of the heart. It is not a prayer of the understanding alone, for the mind of man is so limited in its operations that it can have but one object at a time; but it is the prayer of the heart which is not interrupted by the exercises of reason. Nothing can interrupt this prayer but disordered affections; and when once we have enjoyed God, and the sweetness of his love, we shall find it impossible to relish aught but himself God -- Madame Jeane Guyon 

There's a date in history that I love very much. It was Wednesday, August 13, 1737. A little group of people in Moravia were waiting in a prayer meeting. At 11:00 suddenly the Holy Spirit came. Do you know what happened? The prayer meeting that began at 11:00 lasted 100 years! That's right. That prayer room was not empty for a century! It's the longest prayerayer among men and women that I know of. Even children six and seven years old travailed in prayer for countries the names of which they couldn't even spell -- Leonard RavenhillThe Moravians 

Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance -- Isa 55:1-2

God makes all His best people in loneliness. Do you know what the secret of praying is? Praying in secret. "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door..." (Matt. 6:6). You can't show off when the door's shut and nobody's there. You can't display your gifts. You can impress others, but you can't impress God -- Leonard Ravenhill 

People often ask, "Why do you insist on prayer so much?" The answer is very simple - because Jesus did -- Leonard Ravenhill 

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy ; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore -- Psalms 16:11

I can give you one simple reason why we d we don't have revival in America. Because we're content to live without it. We're not seeking God - we're seeking miracles, we're seeking big crusades, we're seeking blessings. In Numbers 11, Moses said to God, "You're asking me to carry a burden I can't handle. Do something or kill me!" Do you love America enough to say, "God, send revival or kill me"? -- Leonard Ravenhill 

Those alone labor effectively among men who impetuously fling themselves upward towards God -- Charles H. Brent

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart -- Jere 29:11-13

But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find [him], if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul -- Deut 4:29

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him -- Psal 91:15

The LORD [is] nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth -- Psal 145:18

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man h man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it -- Isai 55:6-11

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. -- Luke 11:9-10

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, -- Ephe 3:20

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comcomprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. -- Ephe 3:16-21

The secret of the LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant -- Psal 25:14

Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets -- Amos 3:7

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him -- 1Cor 2:9

But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God -- 1Cor 2:10

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God -- 1Cor 2:12

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ -- 1Cor 2:16

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them t them that love him. But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ -- 1Cor 2:9-16

And what Lord is my life, save that embrace wherein thy delightsome presence doth so lovingly enfold me -- Nicholas of Cusa

God's will for our character comes before God's will for our service -- Alan Redpath

Intercession through the Spirit implies a Spirit-filled temple. He can only interpret spiritual things to the spiritually minded, for the carnally minded cannot know the mind of the Spirit. He cannot intercede in the heart of an unyeilded will -- Samuel Chadwick, "The Path of Prayer"

In these days there is no time to pray; but without time, and a lot of it, we shall never learn to pray. It ought to possible to give God one hour out of twenty-four all to Himself -- Samuel Chadwick, "The Path of Prayer", page 24

Is there any proof that a man is a man of God like the fact that he is a man of prayer? Of Elijah it is said that he ‘prayed in his prayer’ James 5: 17, A.V -- Samuel Chadwick, "The Path of Prayer", page 17

It is truer to say that we live the Christian life in order to pray than that we pray in order to live the Christian life -- P. T. Forsyth, “The Soul of Prayer”

It takes us long to learn that prayer is more important than organization, more powerful than armies, more influential than wealth, and mightier than all learning -- Samuel Chadwick, “The Path of Prayer”, page 81

It would revolutionize the lives of most men if they were shut in with God in some secret place for half an hour a day -- Samuel Chadwick, “The Path of Prayer”, page 29

I used to ask God to help me. Then I asked if I might help Him. I ended up by asking Him to do His work through me -- Hudson Taylor

I will not let thee go, except thou bless me - Jacob, Genesis 32:26

If God wants us to pray without ceasing, it is because He wants to answer without ceasing! Armin Gesswein, quoted in “Everything by Prayer”, Fred Hartley, page 137

If history be true, God’s great men were all men of prayer. ‘ If it be true that He ‘waits to be gracious’ then is it not sheer insanity to make no ‘trial of His love’ -- Albert D. Belden, “The Practice of Prayer”, p 14

If the life is not one of self-denial - of fasting - that is, letting the world go; of prayer - that is, laying hold of God then prayer is neither spiritual or profitable. If pain afflict, or wrongs oppress, If cares distract, or fears dismay, If guilt deject, or sin distress, The remedy’s before you: Pray -- Joseph Hart

If we would do much for God for God, we must ask much of God: we must be men of prayer - Edward Payson

If frequent prayer, and, at times, long hours of prayer, were necessary for our Savior, are they less necessary for us? -- The Kneeling Christian

If my people...will...then will I -- 2 Chron 7:14

If we really loved our blessed Savior, should we not oftener seek communion with Him in prayer? -- The Kneeling Christian

If the Spirit prays in us, shall we not share His ‘groanings’ in prayer? -- The Kneeling Christian

If there were no devil there would be no difficulty in prayer, but it is the evil one’s chief aim to make prayer impossible -- The Kneeling Christian

If Christ is dwelling in our hearts by faith: if the Holy Spirit is breathing into us our petitions, and we are ‘praying in the Holy Ghost,’ ought we not to know that the Father ‘hears’ us? Jude 20, 1John 3:21-22, 5:14 - Unknown

If prayer cannot influence the course of world events then Paul’s exhortation in 1 Tim 2:1-3 was and is pointless - Unknown

If we ask anything, according to His will, He hears us -- I John 5:14

If theology is the queen of the sciences; then prayer is the queen of the experiences - Unknown

How often we say, "I want to do the will of God, but how can I know what it is for me?" If we do not get an easy answer, some turn away because they do not take time to wait on God, and then comd then complain in ignorance that He doesn't answer prayer. Such is the folly of ignorance. In HIS PRAYER to His Father [John 17], Jesus leaves us in no doubt, for what He asks the Father for us must be His will for us. So for what does He ask? 1. It is God's will that we are SAVED [vs 2,3] ...and KEPT [vs 11]. 2. ...that we are SANCTIFIED [vs 17]... 3. ...that we are WITNESSES [vs 20]... 4. ...that we all become MISSIONARIES [vs 18]... 5. ...that UNITY should characterize His church [vs 22,23]... Have you taken note of the revealed will of God? If you still profess ignorance that is sinful folly, not bliss -- Alan Redpath, "The Life of Victory"

[In John 17,] The object of unity is that the world might believe, but there are now so many conflicting voices that the unbeliever is confused, and dismisses the church as being irrelevant to modern life. Surely the glory (v.22) is withheld because the will of God shown in verses 20, 21, 23 is not being taught, regarded, understood or obeyed by those who claim to follow Christ. We cannot censure others before taking a long, hard look at ourselves to see how we measure up to the Lord's standard. Make this your aim and your URGENT PRAYER [caps mine], that you may be among those in these strategic days whose desire above all else is to be a reflector of the glory of the Lord Jesus -- Alan Redpath, "The Life of Victory"

Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To shew that the LORD [is] upright: [he is] my rock, and [there is] no unrighteousness in him -- Psalms 92:13-15

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalm -- Psalms 95:2

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee -- Psalms 122:6

The church is a living organism. It is God's creation with Jesus Christ as its head (Col 1:18). From Him life flows (John 14:6). We have a responsibility to cooperate with God (1Cor 3:6). We know that unless the Lord builds the house we labour in vain (Psalm 127:1). The transfer of a soul from the kingdom of darkness to that of light is a spiritual, supernatural process (Col 1:14). It is the Father who draws (John 6:44). It is the Holy Spirit who convicts (John 16:811). He causes confession to be made (1 Cor 12:3). He completes conversion (Titus 3:5). It is the Holy Spirit who also strengthens and empowers (Eph 3:16). He guides into truth (John 16:16). He gives spiritual gifts which promote unity (1 Cor 12:25), building up the church (1 Cor 14:12), thus avoiding disunity and strife which stunt growth. This is fundamental spiritual truth accepted and believed by all all Christians. However, the degree to which we are convinced that all real growth is ultimately a supernatural process and are prepared to act upon that belief, will be directly reflected in the priority that we give to corporate and personal prayer in the life of the church. It is only when we begin to see that nothing that matters will occur except in answer to prayer that prayer will become more than an optional program for the faithful few, and instead it will become the driving force of our churches. Obviously God wants our pastors, other leaders and His people to recognise that only He can do extraordinary things. When we accept that simple premise, we may begin to pray -- Stuart Robinson, "Praying the Price

The battle which Joshua won, as recorded in Exodus 17:8, was not so dependent upon what he and his troops were doing down on the plain. It was directly dependent upon Moses' prayerful intercession from on top of a nearby hill, with the support of Aaron and Hur. In the Old Testament, not counting the Psalms, there are 77 explicit references to prayer. The pace quickens in the New Testament. There are 94 references alone which relate directly to Jesus and prayer. The apostles picked up this theme and practice. So Paul says, 'Pray continually, for this is God's will for you' (1 Thess 5:16). Peter urgges believers to be 'clear minded and self controlled' so that they can pray (1 Peter 4:7). James declares that prayer is 'powerful and effective' (James 5:16). John assures us that 'God hears and answers' (1 John 5:15). In the book of Acts there are 36 references to the church growing. 58 percent (i.e. 21 of those instances) are within the context of prayer. We would all love to see growth in every church in the world like it was at Pentecost and immediately thereafter. The key to what happened there is found in Acts 1:14 when it says: 'They were all joined together constantly in prayer.' They were all joined together one mind, one purpose, one accord. That is the prerequisite for effectiveness. Then, they were all joined together constantly in prayer. The word used there means to be 'busily engaged in, to be devoted to, to persist in adhering to a thing, to intently attend to it.' And it is in the form of a present participle. It means that the practice was continued ceaselessly. The same word and part of speech is used in Acts 2:42: 'They devoted themselves... to prayer.' Over in Col 4:2, Paul uses the same word again in the imperative form: 'Devote yourselves to prayer.' Most significant expansion movements of the church through its history took up that imperative -- Stuart Robinson, "Praying the Price

Ignorance and helplessness in prayer are indeed blessed things if they cast us upon the Holy Spirit -- The Kneeling Christian

Importunate perseverance is a pre-requisite to success in prayer, because it has an intimate connection with the preparation of a right spiritual condition in us -- William Patton, “Prayer and its Remarkable Answers”, p 82

Importunity is one of the instructors in God’s training school for Christian culture -- W.E. Biederwolf

In the midst of toppling thrones, Daniel maintained his serenity because he knew there was a sovereign God in heaven to whom he prayed -- Unknown

In my name (John 14:13,14; 15:16; 16: 23, 24, 26). Evidently something very important is here implied. It is more than a condition ‘ it is also a promise, an encouragement, for our Lord’s biddings are always His enablings -- The Kneeling Christian

God, I pray Thee, light these idle sticks of my life and may I burn for Thee. Consume my life, my God, for it is Thine. I seek not a long life, but a full one, like you, LORD Jesus -- Jim Elliot

The prospects are as bright as the promises of God -- Adoniram Judson

Why should anyone hear the gospel twice until everyone has heard it once? -- Oswald J Smith

God's work done in God's way will not lack God's supply -- Hudson Taylor

I have sometimes seen, in the morning sun, the smoke of a thousand villusand villages where no missionary has ever been -- David Livingstone

Attempt great things for God; expect great things from God -- William Carey

Gethsemane is where He died; the cross is only the evidence -- Leonard Ravenhill

And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the fence, and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none -- Ezekiel 22:30

God is in secret. Let the first act to be to affirm the fact of the Holy Presence. Call every faculty of mind and body to remembrance, recognition, and realization of the God Who is in secret and sees in secret. Hold the mind to this fact. Tolerate no distraction, allow no diversion, indulge no dissipation. Every faculty must be alert. Of the apostles on the Holy Mount it is said they were heavy with sleep, but when they were fully awake they saw His glory -- Samuel Chadwick, "The Path of Prayer"

Happily, God wills that men should pray everywhere, but the place of His glory is in the solitudes, where He hides us in the cleft of the rock, and talks with man face to face as a man talks to his friend friend -- Samuel Chadwick, "The Path of Prayer"

The habit of prayer implies a certain attitude to life. It predicates God, and recognizes His sovereignty over all. It submits all things to His will, rehearses all things in His presence, judges all things by His standards of values, and lives by faith in Him. Prayer is the essence and test of the godly life -- Samuel Chadwick, "The Path of Prayer"

The issue of travail and heart-brokenness is of utmost priority if we are to experience the full response of God. Until we learn to remain in His Presence until our hearts groan with Him over the condition of the church and the sins of men, we are just dabbling in things spiritual -- Gerald Fix

A man’s influence in the world can be gauged not by his eloquence, or his zeal, or his orthodox, or his energy, but by his prayers -- The Kneeling Christian

What we cannot obtain by solitary prayer we may by social...because where our individual strength fails, there union and concord are effectual -- Chrysostom 400 AD

When Christ ascended into heaven all He left behind was a prayer meeting. The early Church didn’t have a prayer meeting; the early Church was the prayer meeting. In fact, in the early Church every Christian was a prayer-meeting Christian -- Armin Gesswein

A season of silence is the best preparation for speech with God -- Samuel Chadwick, "The Path of Prayer", page 65

All real growth in the spiritual life - all victory over temptation, all confidence and peace in the presence of difficulties and dangers, all repose of spirit in times of great disappointment or loss, all habitual communion with God - depend upon the practice of secret prayer -- The Kneeling Christian

All the evil influences which seek to prevent our approach to God do not deserve to be compared with the attractive power of God -- Adolph Saphir, “The Hidden Life”

An ounce of believing prayer is worth a ton of edifying talk -- John Cowan

And surely it should be enough to restrain all ‘lightness’ and constrain an unceasing ‘earnestness’ did we apprehend the “greatness of the Being “ before whom we plead -- C. H. Spurgeon

Fasting is abstaining from anything that hinders prayer -- Andrew Bonar

Anything is a blessing which makes us pray -- C. H. Spurgeon

Apostasy generally begins at the closet door -- E. M. Bounds

As impossible as it is for us to take a breath in the morning large enough to last us until noon, so impossible is it to pray in the morning in such a way as to last us until noon -- O. Hallesby, “Prayer”, p 146

Ask of Me and I will give, says an almighty, all-loving God, God, and we scarcely heed His words! Asking with shameless persistence, the importunity that will not be denied, returns with the answer in hand. Believing prayer from a wholly-cleansed heart never fails -- The Kneeling Christian

Both Scripture and experience unite to indicate that there is cumulative power in unified praying. But it is the Holy Spirit of God Who is prayer’s great Helper -- The Kneeling Christian

But if one neglects his closet, then all evil comes of it -- C. H. Spurgeon

Communion with God is essential before we can have real communion with our fellow-man -- The Kneeling Christian

Do the angels veil their faces before You, and shall I be content to prattle through a form with no soul and no heart? -- C. H. Spurgeon

God delays in answering our prayers because men would pluck their mercies green; God would have them ripe. God knew that Paul would be a better man with the ‘thorn’ than without it. God does not bestow His gifts on the casual of hasty comers and goers. Much with God alone is the secret of knowing Him and of influence with Him -- E. M. Bounds

God’s acquaintance is not made hurriedly -- E. M. Bounds

He is the Giver not only of the answer, but first of the prayer itself -- P. T. Forsyth, “The Soul of Prayer”

He manifests Himself to those who pray in secret as He cannot to those who have no inner sanctuary of tary of the soul life -- Samuel Chadwick, "The Path of Prayer", page 79

He who does not pray when the sun shines knows not how to pray when the clouds arise -- William Edward Biederwolf, “How Can God Answer Prayer”, p 21

He has mastered but little of prayer who knows little of the Spirit-groaning which cannot be uttered - Payne, “The Greatest Force on Earth”

Helplessness is the real secret and the impelling power of prayer -- O. Hallesby, “Prayer”

I am convinced that when a Christian rightly prays the Lord’s prayer...His praying is more than adequate -- Martin Luther

In the book of Acts they are praying in every chapter except two; and in those chapters they are in trouble -- Armin Gesswein, quoted in “Everything by Prayer”, Fred Hartley, page 25

If we ask anything, according to His will, He hears us -- I John 5:14

And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward, who believe according to the working of HIS mighty power -- Ephesians 1:19 (alternate punctuation and caps mine)

The LORD will perfect [that which] concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, [endureth] for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands -- Psalms 138:8

...God be merciful unto us, and bless us; [and] cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations -- Psalms 62:1,2

[In John 17,] The object of unity is that the world might believe, but there are now so many conflicting voices that the unbeliever is confused, and dismisses the church as being irrelevant to modeo modern life. Surely the glory (v.22) is withheld because the will of God shown in verses 20, 21, 23 is not being taught, regarded, understood or obeyed by those who claim to follow Christ. We cannot censure others before taking a long, hard look at ourselves to see how we measure up to the Lord's standard. Make this your aim and your URGENT PRAYER [caps mine], that you may be among those in these strategic days whose desire above all else is to be a reflector of the glory of the Lord Jesus -- Alan Redpath, "The Life of Victory"

[When thou saidst], Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek -- Psalms 27:8

[I had fainted], unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD -- Psalms 27:13,14

Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness -- Psalm 30:4

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And [having] an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;) -- Hebrews 10:9-23

It is a blessing to be favoured with the company of those who have power with God, and can prevail by their prayers. A kingdom may be upheld and prosper, in consequence of the fervent prayers of those who are dear to God. May we place our highest regard upon such as are most precious in his accountice and at his suggestion, such horrid deeds have been done, as cause the natural feelings of the heart to shudder; like the king of Moab's sacrificing his son. It is well not to urge the worst of men to extremities; we should rather leave them to the judgment of God -- Matthew Henry

The church prayer meeting ought to be the best attended in the week, and if it is, success will follow the ministry of the Word at the weekends. I would rather a thousand times set men and women to pray than teach them to preach -- J. D. Drysdale

A revival means a heartbroken pastor. A revival means a church on its knees confessing its sins - the sins of the individual and of the Church - confessing the sins of the times and of the community -- E. M. Bounds

Prayer is not something I do, prayer is something I am -- Bernie May, Wycliffe Bible Translators

We see with open Eyes, that as a Spirit of Longing after the Life of this World, made Adam and us to be the poor Pilgrims on Earth that we are, so the Spirit of Prayer, or the longing Desire of the Heart after Christ, and God, and Heaven, breaks all our Bonds asunder, casts all our Cords from us, and raises us out of the Miseries of Time, into the Riches of Eternity. Thus seeing and knowing our first and our present State, everything calls us to Prayer; and the Desire of our Heart becomes the Spirit of Prayer. And when the Spirit of Prayer is born in us, then Prayer is no longer considered, as only the Business of this or that Hour, but is the continual Panting or Breathing of the Heart after God. Its Petitions are not picked out of Manuals of Devotion; it loves its own Language, it speaks most when it says least. If you ask what its Words are, they are Spirit, they are Life, they are Love, that unite with God -- William Law

The Spirit of Prayer, is a pressing forth of the Soul out of this earthly Life; it is a stretching with all its Desire after the Life o of God; it is a leaving, as far as it can, all its own Spirit, to receive a Spirit from above, to be one Life, one Love, one Spirit with Christ in God -- William Law

For it has been enough proved, that the Spirit of Prayer forms the Spirit of our Lives, and every Man lives as the Spirit of Prayer leads him. Nay every Prayer for the Holy Spirit, is the Spirit itself praying in you. For nothing can turn to God, desire to be united to him, and governed by him, but the Spirit of God. The Impossibility of praying for the Spirit of God in vain, is thus shown by our blessed Lord: If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those that ask for it? -- William Law

The Spirit of Prayer therefore is the Opener of all that is good within us, and the Receiver of all that is good without us; it unites with God, is one Power with him; it works with him, and drives all that is not God, out of the Soul. The Soul is no longer a Slave to its natural Impurity and Corruption, no longer imprisoned in its own Death and Darkness, but till the Fire from Heaven, the Spirit of Prayer is kindled in it -- William Law

the Spirit of Prayer, which is the Heart's own Prayer, and which has all the Strength of the Heart in it. And this is the Prayer that must be affirmed to be always effectual; it never returns empty; it eats and drinks that, after which it hungereth and thirsteth; and nothing can possibly hinder it from having that, which it prays for -- William Law Intercession through the Spirit implies a Spirit-filled temple. He can only interpret spiritual things to the spiritually minded, for the carnally minded cannot know the mind of the Spirit. He e cannot intercede in the heart of an unyeilded will -- Samuel Chadwick, "The Path of Prayer"

God is in secret. Let the first act to be to affirm the fact of the Holy Presence. Call every faculty of mind and body to remembrance, recognition, and realization of the God Who is in secret and sees in secret. Hold the mind to this fact. Tolerate no distraction, allow no diversion, indulge no dissipation. Every faculty must be alert. Of the apostles on the Holy Mount it is said they were heavy with sleep, but when they were fully awake they saw His glory -- Samuel Chadwick, "The Path of Prayer"

A body may just as well be roaming at large as be shut in with a wandering mind -- Samuel Chadwick, "The Path of Prayer"

...unction is not an inalienable gift. It is a conditional gift, and its presence is perpetuated and increased by the same process by which it was at first secured; by unceasing prayer to God, by impassioned desires after God, by estimating it, by seeking it with tireless ardor, by deeming all else loss and failure without it -- E. M. Bounds, "Power Through Prayer"

How and whence comes this unction? Direct from God in answer to prayer. Praying hearts only are the hearts filled with this holy oil; praying lips only are anointed with this divine unction -- E. M. Bounds, "Power Through Prayer"

Prayer, much prayer, is the price of preaching unction; prayer, much prayer, is the one, sole condition of keeping this unction. Without unceasing prayer the unction never comes to the preacher. Without perseverance in prayer, the unction, like the manna overkept, breeds worms -- E. M. Bounds, "Power Through Prayer"

THE apostles knew the necessity and worth of prayer to their ministry. They knew that their high commission as apostles, instead of relieving them from the necessity of prayer, committed them to it by a more urgent need; so that they were exceedingly jealous else some other important work should exhaust their time and prevent their praying as they ought; so they appointed laymen to look after the delicate and engrossing duties of ministering to the poor, that they (the apostles) might, unhindered, "give themselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of of the word." Prayer is put first, and their relation to prayer is put most strongly - "give themselves to it," making a business of it, surrendering themselves to praying, putting fervor, urgency, perseverance, and time in it -- E. M. Bounds, "Power Through Prayer"

If there be nobody near to whom you can speak for God, then in your solitude speak to God for your fellow-men. What a blessed thing to be so familiar with God that you have his ear for your friends and neighbors! Plead with him for the erring, the unbelieving, the profane. Never hold your peace towards God, for in this case speech is more than golden -- C. H. Spurgeon

By prayer you unlock the treasuries of heaven: keep the golden key in constant motion. Never cease to pray, since intercession is benediction. If the world be asleep, if the church be asleep, hold not your peace by night; and should the church become active, and the world be a little awakened, redouble your prayer till the world is won -- C. H. Spurgeon

Oh, that we would incessantly use the promises in prayer! One said, with a smile, the other day, "It is a fine thing to have a cheque-book, to get what money you please by signing your name!" I did not stop to explain to him the limits of that power; but I noted that he looked like one who, if he had owned such a cheque-book as he spoke of, would have written down ln larger amounts than the most of us could compass. Still, his folly was not equal on the one side to the unwisdom of these who err in the other direction; for they have a cheque-book, and yet never use it. The treasury of heaven lies open to faith, and yet we fret and worry about our little daily cares. We have but to plead a promise of God to put him in remembrance, and he will supply all our needs: why, then, do we pine in want? Fools that we are, to be anxious and poverty-stricken with the possibilities of infinite riches close at hand! Who among us is there that comes up to the text, "Ye that are the Lord's remembrancers, take ye no rest, and give him no rest"? -- C. H. Spurgeon

...may the Holy Spirit lead all believers to undertake and carry on this sacred work! Ministers, deacons, and elders of churches are specially called to this. You older and more advanced Christians should lead the way in this holy employment; and, as I have already shown you, the sick must take their turn. Every Christian should aspire to take his place in the cordon, and in some way watch on the behalf of Zion; but especially should we be constant, instant, and fervent in pleading the precious promises of our Lord. These were not given to be forgotten, but to be pleaded, and then to be fulfilled. It is written, "For this will I be enquired of by the house of Israeel, to do it for them." It is the rule of God's kingdom that we must bring to his remembrance the promise which we would have fulfilled in our own experience; therefore, "Ye that are the Lord's remembrancers, take ye no rest." -- C. H. Spurgeon

"Ye that are the Lord's remembrancers, take ye no rest." I quote the best translation.Take no rest from prayer. be always praying. If not always in the act of prayer, be always in the spirit of prayer. "Pray without ceasing." Not only reason, but wrestle with God in prayer. Sometimes pray without words, and sometimes with them. Pray alone, and often pray with brethren. There is special prevalence in the prayer of two or three. "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." Gather in the greater congregations for prayer. "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is"; as, I regret to say, the manner of many churches has come to be in these days. The moderns despise the meeting for prayer; and in this they condemn themselves, by owning that they attach little value to their own prayers. Possibly their consciousness of having lost all power with God in prayer is thus betraying itself. Where the prayer-meeting is despised, there may be cleverness in the preacher, but there will be no unction for the hearer. O my brethren, I beseech you, both as individuals and as a church, do not restrain prayer. "Watch and pray" - that precept is a condensation of our text -- C. H. Spurgeon

In my heart-felt opinion, there is no such calling as "intercessor," or "prayer warrior." There is no overtly specified "gift of the Spirit" in the Bible to pray. It is every believer's privilege, moreover every believer's priestly calling to spend much time in God's presence [Eph 6:18, Rev 5:8-10, Heb 4:14-16, Ps 27:4]. We are all called to Spirit led "groanings" [Rom 8:26-27]; but tragically, most are willingly ignorant of their duty to intercede, choosing rather to pray only when they "feel" disposed to. They are soldiers who wear the armor, but seldom really use it for anything else, but self preservation. They are not "warriors," but simply target practice for the enemy's flaming arrows. Certainly God's armor protects them, but He pulls down strongholds by those who faithfully pray His Word, as the Holy Spirit leads -- Eddie Noragong

In thy presence is fullness of joy; in thy right hand there are pleasures forever -- Psalm 16:11

The climax of God's happiness is the delight he takes in the echoes of his excellence in the praises of his people -- John Piper

Hitherto you have asked nothing in my name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full -- John 16:24

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you -- Matthew 6:6

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer! -- Joseph Scriven

A failure in our prayer life is generally a failure to know Jesus. "If you knew who was talking to you, you would ask me!" A prayerless Christian is like a bus driver trying alone to push his bus out of a rut because he doesn't know Clark Kent is on board. "If you knew, you would ask." A prayerless Christian is like having your room wallpapered with Sak's Fifth Avenue gift certificates but always shopping at Ragstock because you can't read. "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that speaks to you, you would ask-you would ask.!" -- John Piper

Christians who spend time in prayer-do it because they see that God is a great Giver and that Christ is wise and merciful and powerful beyond measure. And therefore their prayer glorifies Christ and honors his Father. The chief end of man is to glorify God. Therefore, when we become what God created us to be we become people of prayer -- John Piper

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Ps 50:15

The Lord waits to be gracious to you; therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him." The folly of not waiting for God is that we forfeit the blessing of having God work for us. The evil of not waiting for God is that we oppose God's will to exalt himself in mercy -- John Piper

God aims to exalt himself by working for those who wait for him. Prayer is the essential activity of waiting for God: acknowledging our helplessness and his power, calling upon him for help, seeking his counsel. So it is evident why prayer is so often commanded by God, since his purpose in the world is to be exalted for his mercy. Prayer is the antidote for the disease of self-confidence that opposes God's goal of getting glory by working for those who wait for him -- John Piper

"The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show his might on behalf of those whose heart is whole toward him" (2 Chronicles 16:9). God is not looking for people to work for him, so much as he is looking for people who will let him work for them. The gospel is not a Help Wanted ad. Neither is the call to Christian service. On the contrary, the gospel commands us to to give up and hang out a Help Wanted sign (this is the basic meaning of prayer). Then the gospel promises that God will work for us if we do. He will not surrender the glory of being the Giver -- John Piper

Christianity is fundamentally convalescence ("Pray without ceasing" = Keep buzzing the nurse). Patients do not serve their physicians. They trust them for good prescriptions. The Sermon on the Mount and the Ten Commandments are the Doctor's prescribed health regimen, not the Employer's job description -- John Piper

Good service is always and fundamentally receiving mercy, not rendering assistance. So there is no good service without prayer -- John Piper

Prayer is not the way to get God to do our will in heaven. Prayer is the way to get man to do God's will on earth. Once this is understood, you will find yourself praying in an entirely different manner. And that's what Jesus is doing here. `Glorify Me,' He prays, `so that You might be glorified - even if that means being pinned to the Cross of Calvary. -- Jon Courson

"And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." [John 17:22-23] And that same glory has been given to you, for whom He justified, He glorified (Romans 8:30). Listen carefully, saint: The Father looks at you and says, `You are not only elected and predestined, called and justified, but you are already glorified.' I'm so glad the Father doesn't see me in my frailty and my flesh, my carnality and stupidity, but that He sees me glorified in His Son. Wouldn't it be radical if you looked at your sons and daughters, husband or wife in their glorified state? Think about the person who bugs you the most, and ask the Lord to show you how He views him. You see, it's not that love is blind. It's that love sees more. And because love sees more, it is willing to see less. Filled with glory, the eyes of love don't have room for shortcomings and failure... Gang, as we treat people as though they are already glorified, as we speak the truth in love that we might be unified, as we keep those the Lord has given to us on our hearts through intercession, as we manifest as well as declare the nature of the Father, as we give people the exact word, and share with them the Scriptures, as we finish the work He gives us to do, we will be doing the very things Jesus said our lives should be about -- Jon Courson

More spiritual progress can be made in one short moment, of speechless silence, in the awesome presence of God, than in years of mere study. It is only when our vaunted wisdom has been met and defeated, in a breathless encounter with omniscience, that we are permitted really to know. When prostrate and wordless, the soul receives divine knowledge, like a flash of light on a sensitized plate, the exposure may be brief, but the results will be permanent -- A. W. Tozer

Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place -- 2Cor 2:14 WEB

I must have the Holy Spirit sanctifying my whole inner life if I am really to live for God’s glory -- Andrew Murray, "Absolute Surrender"

“The fruit of the Spirit is love.” Has it been our experience that the more we have of the Holy Spirit the more loving we become? In claiming the Holy Spirit we should make this the first object of our expectation. The Holy Spirit comes as a Spirit of love -- Andrew Murray, "Absolute Surrender"

“The fruit of the Spirit is love.” Has it been our experience that the more we have of the Holy Spirit the more loving we become? In claiming the Holy Spirit we should make this the first object of our expectation. The Holy Spirit comes as a Spirit of love. Oh, if this were true in the Church of Christ how different her state would be! May God help us to get hold of this simple, heavenly truth that the fruit of the Spirit is a love which appears in the life, and that just as the Holy Spirit gets real possession of the life, the heart will be filled with real, divine, universal love. One of the great causes why God cannot bless His Church is the want of love… It is only when God’s people stand as one body, one before God in the fellowship of love, one toward another in deep affection, one before the world in a love that the world can see-it is only then that they will have power to secure the blessing which they ask of God. Remember that if a vessel that ought to be one whole is cracked into many pieces, it cannot be filled. You can take a potsherd, one part of a vessel, and dip out a little water into that, but if you want the vessel full, the vessel must be whole. That is literally true of Christ’s Church, and if there is one thing we must pray for still, it is this: Lord, melt us together into one by the power of the Holy Spirit; let the Holy Spirit, who at Pentecost made them all of one heart and one soul, do His blessed work among us. Praise God, we can love each other in a divine love, for “the fruit of the Spirit is love.” Give yourselves up to love, and the Holy Spirit will come; receive the Spirit, and He will teach you to love more -- Andrew Murray, "Absolute Surrender"

Now, why is it that the fruit of the Spirit is love? Because God is love. And what does that mean? It is the very nature and being of God to delight in communicating Himself -- Andrew Murray, "Absolute Surrender"

For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, LORD, becamest their God. Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said. Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts [is] the God of Israel, [even] a God to Israel: and [let] the house of David thy servant [be] established before thee. For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found [in his heart] to pray before thee. And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant: Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O LORD, and [it shall be] blessed for ever -- 1Chr 17:22-27

God does not ask you to give the perfect surrender in your strength, or by the power of your will; God is willing to work it in you. Do we not read: "It is God that worketh in us, both to will and to do of his good pleasure"? And that is what we should seek for - to go on our faces before God, until our hearts learn to believe that the everlasting God Himself will come in to turn out what is wrong, to conquer what is evil, and to work what is well-pleasing in His blessed sight. God Himself will work it in you...Oh, I want to encourage you, and I want you to cast away every fear. Come with that feeble desire; and if there is the fear which says: "Oh, my desire is not strong enough, I am not willing for everything that may come, I do not feel bold enough to say I can conquer everything" - I pray you, learn to know and trust your God now. Say: "My God, I am willing that Thou shouldst make me willing." If there is anything holding you back, or any sacrifice you are afraid of making, come to God now, and prove how gracious your God is, and be not afraid that He will command from you what He will not bestow. God comes and offers to work this absolute surrender in you. All these searchings and hungerings and longings that are in your heart, I tell you they are the drawings of the divine magnet, Christ Jesus. He lived a life of absolute surrender, He has possession of you; He is living in your heart by His Holy Spirit. You have hindered and hindered Him terribly, but He desires to help you to get hold of Him entirely. And He comes and draws you now by His message and words. Will you not come and trust God to work in you that absolute surrender to Himself? Yes, blessed be God, He can do it, and He will do it -- Andrew Murray

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men], as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved -- Acts 2:41-47

When we rely upon organization, we get what organization can do; when we rely upon education, we get what education can do; when we rely upon eloquence, we get what eloquence can do. And so on. But when we rely upon prayer, we get what God can do -- Dr. A. C. Dixon, quoted by Robert Hall Glover, “The Bible Basis of Missions”, p. 186

Without prayer, even though there may be increased interest in missions, more work for them, better success in organization and greater finances, the real growth of the spiritual life and of the love of Christ in the people may be very small -- Andrew Murray, “Key to the Missionary Problem”, p. 145

It is possible for the most obscure person in a church, with a heart right toward God, to exercise as much power for the evangelization of the world, as it is for those who stand in the most prominent positions -- John R. Mott, “The Pastor and Modern Missions”, p. 203

Prayer is action. By it we step out in advance of all other results….Praying is an activity upon which all others depend. By prayer we establish a beachhead for the kingdom among peoples where it has never been before. Prayer strikes the winning blow. All other missionary efforts simply gather up the fruits of our praying -- David Bryant

But above all he excelled in prayer. The inwardness and weight of his spirit, the reverence and solemnity of his address and behavior, and the fewness and fullness of his words have often struck even strangers with admiration as they used to reach others with consolation. The most awful, living, reverend frame I ever felt or beheld, I must say, was his prayer. And truly it was a testimony. He knew and lived nearer to the Lord than other men, for they that know him most will see most reason to approach him with reverence and fear." -William Penn (of George Fox)

That his prayer was nothing else but a sense of the presence of God, his soul being at that time insensible to everything but Divine love: and that when the appointed times of prayer were past, he found no difference, because he still continued with God, praising and blessing Him with all his might, so that he passed his life in continual joy; yet hoped that God would give him somewhat to suffer, when he should grow stronger. That we ought, once for all, heartily to put our whole trust in God, and make a total surrender of ourselves to Him, secure that He would not deceive us." (-- about Brother Lawrence)

Prayer pulls the rope down below and the great bell rings above in the ears of God. Some scarcely stir the bell, for they pray so languidly; others give only an occasional jerk at the rope. But he who communicates with heaven is the man who grasps the rope boldly and pulls continuously with all his might -- C. H. Spurgeon

Pray without ceasing has been has been the sentence repeating itself in my silent thoughts, and I am sure that it will be, it must be, my practice till the last conscious hour of my life. O why was it not my practice through out that long, indolent, inanimate half century past! I often think mournfully of the difference it would have made in me. Now there remains so little time for a more genuine, effective spiritual life -- John Fletcher (on his deathbed)

The value of consistent prayer is not that He will hear us, but that we will hear Him -- William McGill

When I am praying the most eloquently, I am getting the least accomplished in my prayer life. But when I stop getting eloquent and give God less theology and shut up and just gaze upward and wait for God to speak to my heart He speaks with such power that I have to grab a pencil and a notebook and take notes on what God is saying to my heart -- A. W. Tozer

...we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord -- 2 Cor. 3:18

I seriously doubt if there would be many divorces among Christians if they took time to kneel in prayer once a day and prayed for each other -- Ruth Bell Graham

Our total couple intimacy is enhanced by our couple prayer. When we listen in to each other's private conversation with God, we are at our most vulnerable. It is a gift we give each other, a special time -- Joel and Maria Shuler

If we would be soul winners, we must know how to pray -- H. A. Ironside

Prayer is the open admission that without Christ we can do nothing...Prayer humbles us as needy, and exalts God as wealthy -- John Piper

We must recognize that prayer alone, prayer together, prayer for ourselves, prayer for each other, continual prayer is an essential portion of our work -- Edith Schaeffer

A prayerful attitude of thankfulness, no matter what the situation, results in our receiving the unsurpassed peace of God -- John MacArthur

We are not ready for the battle until we have seen the Lord, for Jesus is the answer to all problems -- Corrie Ten Boom

People who make opportunity for the Holy Spirit to speak to them know that the Christian life is a continual adventure. It is full of surprises, thrills, challenges and mysteries -- Bill Hybels

Though the Bible be crowded with golden promises from board to board, yet will they be inoperative until we turn them into prayer -- F. B. Meyer

We do not pray to get things from God, but as we pray God changes us until His will becomes our will -- Ruth Bell

At the profoundest depths of life, men talk not about God but with Him -- Elton Trueblood

Kneeling, we triumph -- (www.kneelingwetriumph.com)

The story was of a young couple, when bidding farewell to their home country church as they were about to leave for an African field, known as "The White Man's Grave." The husband said, "My wife and I have a strange dread in going. We feel much as if we were going down into a pit. We are willing to take the risk and go if you, our home circle, will promise to hold the ropes." One and all promised. Less than two years passed when the wife and the little one God had given them, succumbed to the dreaded fever. Soon the husband realized his days too were numbered. Not waiting to send word home of his coming, he started back at once and arrived at the hour of the Wednesday prayer-meeting. He slipped in unnoticed, taking a back seat. At the close of the meeting he went forward. An awe came over the people, for death was written on his face. He said: "I am your missionary. My wife and child are buried in Africa and I have come home to die. This evening I listened anxiously, as you prayed, for some mention of your missionary to see if you were keeping your promise, but in vain! You prayed for everything connected with yourselves and your home church, but you forgot your missionary. I see now why I am a failure as a missionary. It is because you have failed to hold the ropes!" -- from Rosalind Goforth's biography of her beloved Jonathan, "Goforth of China"

The more helpless you are, the better you are fitted to pray, and the more answers to prayer you will experience -- O. Hallesby

The trouble with nearly everybody who prays is that he says ‘Amen’ and runs away before God has a chance to reply. Listening to God is far more important than giving Him our ideas -- Frank Laubach

Never underestimate the power that comes when a parent pleads with God on behalf of a child -- Max Lucado

When we seek God for answers, we must persevere in prayer, letting it build up day after day until the force of it becomes a mighty tide pushing over all obstacles -- Jim Cymbala

See to it that you pray for your children. Then you will leave them a great legacy of answers to prayer, which will follow them all the days of their life -- O. Hallesby

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us -- 2 Cor 4:6,7

...Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day -- 2 Cor 4:17

...we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal -- 2 Cor 4:18

Unite with you in prayer, one or more of the most devout disciples, especially in critical cases. One great advantage is that selfishness is apt to color our supplications, and when others are united with us, they are less affected by motives that may unduly influence us -- A. T. Pierson 

Give yourself to the Lord anew as an intercessor, to undertake and fulfill in yourself all the conditions requisite to your becoming a perfect channel of blessing; and to put to the proof the promise: " If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. "(John 15:7) -- A. T. Pierson 

Consider well before you put any object or person before you in prayer; whether it is according to the will of God; whether you can claim for your request a definite promise, whether it is laid as a burden on your heart by the spirit of prayer, and having so determined, never cease praying till you have the answer, or at least the assurance of answer -- A. T. Pierson 

You may be sure that there is no truer index of what you are spiritually than is found in what you habitually desire and yearn for, and this will naturally find expression in your secret prayer habit -- A. T. Pierson 

No matter what prayer has secured, attained or achieved for us, boundless possibilities still lie before us. It may be doubted whether we have yet touched more than the fringe of the garment of a prayer-hearing God. We come timid and trembling, when we ought to come boldly and confidently. We ask but little, where we should only honor God by making large demands -- A. T. Pierson 

In praying do not think of yourself as knocking at a closed door. Christ's dying cry rent the veil in two, and opened up both to vision and entrance the holy of holies with the mercy seat. Let us come boldly to a throne of grace. God is not a reluctant God, needing to be besieged like a walled city, which must be compelled to capitulate. Let us not spell beseech, besiege -- A. T. Pierson 

Do not forget that others for whom you are praying may get more comfort from your intercession than you get out of it -- A. T. Pierson 

The injunction to pray is not one but seven. It is in effect a command to (1) acquaint thyself with God, (2) to be conformed to His image, (3) to keep yourself in His love, (4) to study to show thyself approved unto Him, (5) to be a co-worker together with God, (6) to taste and see that the Lord is good, (7) to commission Him concerning the work of His hands -- A. T. Pierson 

The greatest obstacle to the conversion of men is not any barrier in them so much as a barrier in us. The church as a corporate body, have never yet accepted, intelligently, lovingly, joyfully and confidently, the promises of God to praying souls -- A. T. Pierson 

The true intercessor learns to claim blessing. He sees all good provided and ready, and he comes to it as a hungry child to his father's table, not to ask to be fed, but to help himself to what his father's love has spread before him -- A. T. Pierson 

[concerning prayer] Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, Put first things first, and God will add the secondary things without you seeking them. In such a sublime transaction as giving yourself to God - body, soul and spirit, He throws in " all these things" as if not even worthy to be counted or mentioned. (Matt 6:33) -- A. T. Pierson 

Cultivate a holy calm as a preparation for private prayer, as a lake while it is ruffled, can not reflect the over-arching heavens; so your heart while disturbed and distracted, can not reflect the face of God. Wait before God until you are at peace -- A. T. Pierson 

Spiritual guides for those who yearn for greater power to prevail in prayer. First, we call renewed attention to the great fundamental conditions of acceptable and effective supplication, which should always be kept before them: (1) Renunciation of all known sin. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me," Psalm 66:18. (2) A spirit of forgiveness. "When you stand praying, forgive, if you have aught against any, "Mark 11:25. (3) The confidence of faith. " Whatever things you desire when you pray, believe that you receive them," Mark 11:24. (4) A spiritual motive. " You ask and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts," James 4:3. (5) "In Jesus' name." " If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it," John 14:13, 14 & 16:23. (6) According to God's will. " If we ask anything according to His will He hears us," I John 5:14 -- A. T. Pierson 

Some conspicuous promises which fortify our feeble faith! (1) The promptness of Divine help. "Before they call I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear," Isaiah 65:24. (2) The possibilities of faith. "If thou will believe, all things are possible to him that believes," Mark 9:23. (3) Abiding union with Christ. "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you," John 15:7. (4) God's immeasurable ability. "Able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think," Eph. 3:20. (5) The riches in glory. "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus," Phil. 4:19. (6) Agreement in prayer. "If two of you agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them by my Father who is in heaven," Matt. 18:19 -- A. T. Pierson 

...pour out all your weaknesses, your needs, and your troubles, there will be no lack of what to say -- Mike MacIntosh, "Falling in Love With Prayer"

If you fall in love with prayer, you cannot help but fall in love with God -- Mike MacIntosh, "Falling in Love With Prayer"

Whatever else it may be, prayer is first and foremost an act of love. Before any pragmatic, utilitarian, or altruistic motivations, prayer is born out of a desire to be with Jesus -- Brennan Manning

It is hard to get away from God - unless you stop talking to Him -- Mike MacIntosh, "Falling in Love With Prayer"

Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear -- Isaiah 65:24

It's certainly not that God is going to vanish when our attention gets diverted; it's just that our thoughts and feelings shift elsewhere. Still, we have this assurance: He is near, and He is eagerly waiting for us to re-engage with Him in prayer. Our challenge is to continually come back to God with hearts and minds focused on Him -- Mike MacIntosh, "Falling in Love With Prayer"

God created you for His good pleasure and for fellowship with Him (see Rev 4:11 KJV). He has a purpose for your life, and a path for you to follow, but underlying everything else is a love relationship with your Father. First and foremost, He wants to fellowship with you, and your fellowship with Him will naturally activate and empower your gifts and talents -- Mike MacIntosh, "Falling in Love With Prayer"

Every time we pray, our horizon is altered, our attitude to things is altered - not sometimes but every time - and the amazing thing is that we don't pray more -- Oswald Chambers

He wants prayer to be the means by which we communicate and share our entire lives with Him -- Mike MacIntosh, "Falling in Love With Prayer"

You may say, "But I can't talk to God. Why would He listen to me?" The truth is that God is already listening to you -- Mike MacIntosh, "Falling in Love With Prayer"

So much of life comes down to the choices we make. We can choose to get up and go to work rather than call in sick. We can choose to study for an exam rather than loaf in front of the TV. We can choose to spend time with our children rather than put in more hours at the office. And we can choose whether or not to spend time in prayer. That may well be the most critical decision we make on a daily basis -- Mike MacIntosh, "Falling in Love With Prayer"

You cannot handle many of the things this world throws at you, but your God can -- Mike MacIntosh, "Falling in Love With Prayer"

If you want to grow spiritually, you must pray consistently. It is as simple as that. Give it the attention it deserves, and you will fall in love with prayer -- Mike MacIntosh, "Falling in Love With Prayer"

If you have so much business to attend to that you have no time to pray, then you have more business on your hands than God ever intended you to have -- D. L. Moody

When I gave my heart to God, Sandy and I were divorced. There was not a chance in Las Vegas that we would ever be together again. However, I had an early discipline in prayer that helped us "beat the odds." I attended our men's prayer meeting every Saturday night. I sat in the sanctuary with three hundred other men and prayed from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. For a man who loved to party on Saturday nights, this must have raised some angelic eyebrows in heaven, to say the least. Only God could have captured my heart and imagination to make prayer look exciting and worthwhile. Every week for a month, I prayed for Sandy and our two chil­dren. My prayers for each were direct and straightforward: "please. God, save their souls." Little did I know that in less than six weeks. God would win Sandy's heart, and she would surrender her life to him. Nor did I have the slightest inclination that we would be remarried in ten months, after almost three years of divorce. Are there rewards that flow from a praying life? My wife and I. along with our children and grandchil­dren, answer with a resounding, "Yes!" -- Mike MacIntosh, “Falling in Love with Prayer”

Remember, prayer is not an earthly work; it is a blessing from heaven. Deposit this truth deeply in your heart: So valuable are your prayers that angels are dispatched from heaven to receive and respond to them. They take them into the throne room of God Almighty, in beautiful golden bowls, where they are released into God's nostrils as sweet fragrant incense (see Rev, 8:1-4). Your heavenly Father loves it when you pray -- Mike MacIntosh, “Falling in Love with Prayer”

Prayer, when it prevails, has about it a boldness, a holy audacity, which reminds us of the prophet whose plea was, "Do not disgrace the throne of Thy glory!" (Jer. 14:21). When a saint understands that prayer has three intercessors-the interceding Spirit within, the interceding suppliant, and the interceding Christ before the Throne-he feels himself but the channel through whom a current passes, whose source is the Holy Spirit in his heart, whose final outpour is through our great High Priest into the bosom of the Father. He loses sight of himself in the thought of the divine stream, and its spring and its ocean. How can he but be bold? Prayer becomes no more mere lame and timid asking-it is claiming-and laying hold on blessing! Nay, it is waiting for and welcoming the blessing, as a returning stream from the heart of God, pouring back into and through the heart of the suppliant. -- A. T. Pierson

The victories won by prayer, by prayer must still be held; The foe retreats, but only when By prayer he is compelled. We will only advance in our evangelistic work as fast and as far as we advance on our knees. Prayer opens the channel between a soul and God; prayerlessness closes it. Prayer releases the grip of Satan's power; prayerlessness increases it. That is why prayer is so exhausting and so vital. If we believed it, the prayer meeting would be as full as the church -- Alan Redpath

Remember that you can never be effective for God until you are in communion with God. God's order is communion first, intercession afterward. There may be individual moments when God places a burden on your heart and you go instantly into intercessory warfare, but this is always based upon a life of daily, close communion with the Lord. Apart from guidance otherwise, however, it is good to begin each day with close fellowship with the Lord. Each prolonged prayer time can also begin with such a time of sweet communion. This will include loving adoration of the Lord, and praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. The predominant mood of the Spirit in your soul may and will change from time to time. But none of these elements will long be absent from a life of prayer. -Wesley Duewel

When the hour for prayer arrives, allow rime for staying on the threshold of the temple, to remember how great God is, how greatly He is to be praised, how great your needs are. Remember the distance between you and Him, and be sure that it is filled with love. Recall the promises that bid you to approach. Consider all the holy souls that have entered those same portals; and do not forget the many occasions in which hovering skies have cleared, the dark clouds have parted, and weakness has become power during one brief spell of prayer." Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name -- F. B. Meyer

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits -- Ps 103:1

The King hath brought me into His chambers. Not first to the banqueting house - that will come in due season; but first to be alone with Himself. "How perfect! Could we be satisfied to meet a beloved one only in public? No; we want to take such an one aside-to have him all to ourselves. So with our Master: He takes His now fully consecrated bride aside, to taste and enjoy the sacred intimacies of His wondrous love -- Hudson Taylor

There is no greater power in the world than prayer. True prayer can do anything, the prayer that is wrought by the Spirit and is presented at the Throne of the omnipotent God in the Name of Christ. The greatest promises in the Bible concern prayer. Jesus Christ, the supreme Intercessor, gave to His followers the privilege of prayer, and none can tell the immensity of the sphere He opened to them (John 14:12-15}. He who has been allowed to tarry in the Presence of the Lord carries a divine atmosphere with him into everyday life; the glory light illumines everything he touches. His heart is continually drawn to that inner sanctuary, and he counts the day drab and dreary in which he has not crossed the threshold into the holy place... The source of true power lies in prayer. Prayer is the secret of success in the realm of the Spirit and of Love. Many a restless, defeated life would be transformed if it became a life of prayer. What costs nothing is worth nothing. Prayer does cost something. It costs much! He who would pray must deny himself, he must give his whole time and strength to the service of God -- Sister Eva of Friedemhort

"I come to seek God because I need Him," may be an adequate formula for prayer. "I come to adore His splendour, and fling myself and all that I have at His feet," is the only possible formula for worship -- Evelyn Underhill

People who are crucified with Christ have three distinct marks: 1. they are facing only one direction, 2. they can never turn back, and 3. they no longer have plans of their own -- A.W. Tozer

And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace - Jeremiah 29:7

It is not enough for the Christian soldier to know the enemy and to put on the equipment. Complete knowledge of the enemy and the best equipment in the world are worthless unless the soldier possesses the energy necessary to face the enemy and to use the equipment. This is where prayer comes in -- Warren Weirsbe, “What to Wear to the War”

Prayer is the power behind the Christian’s armor in -- Warren Weirsbe, “What to Wear to the War”

The role of prayer in this armament is 3-fold. 1st, prayer is the means to put the armor on... 2nd, prayer is the power that makes the armor work... 3rd, prayer enables us to help the entire army of Christ -- Warren Weirsbe, “What to Wear to the War”

The armor begins to work when we pray -- Warren Weirsbe, “What to Wear to the War”

Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto [this] generation, [and] thy power to every one [that] is to come -- Psalm 71:18

The demands of life upon our time are such that if we make way for the spiritual exercises there must be a fasting from something -- Edwin and Lillian Harvey, “Kneeling We Triumph” Volume 2 (http://home.psknet.com/harveycp/prayer.htm)

I come Lord, to restore to Thee what Thou hast given and I freely relinquish it, to enter again into nothingness. For what is the most perfect creature in heaven or earth in Thy presence, but a void, capable of being filled with Thee and by Thee as the air which is void and dark capable of being filled with the light of the sun? Grant therefore, O Lord, that I may never appropriate Thy grace to myself any more than the air appropriates to itself the light of the sun, who withdraws it every day to restore it the next; there being nothing in the air that either appropriates his light or resists it. Oh, give me the same faculty of receiving Thine; for I acknowledge that the root from which they spring is in Thee and not in me -- John Wesley

God has two thrones: one in highest heaven and the other in the lowest heart – Anonymous

If I am to have faith when I pray, I must find some promise in the Word of God on which to rest my faith -- R.A. Torrey

For the miracle of prayer to begin operating in your life, one thing remains. You must pray...Then, and only then will the adventure of faith begin -- Bill Hybels

Prayer is not a preparation for the battle; it is the battle! -- Leonard Ravenhill

Though the Bible be crowded with golden promises from board to board, yet will they be inoperative until we turn them into prayer -- F. B. Meyer

I have thrown myself blindfold into His almighty arms -- George Whitfield

The Word of God represents all the possibilities of God as at the disposal of true prayer. Help is at hand, and often comes before the prayer is yet complete, because He hears the unspoken sigh and groan. God's supplies are inexhaustible; His ability and willingness are both infinite; hence His answers often transcend all our requests or even imaginings. When the praying suppliant abides in Christ, as the branch in the vine, his supplications are but one form of the development and expression of the Life of Christ in him, just as the buds, blossoms, and clusters of the branch are expressions of the vine's vitality. Prayer brings peace by banishing care, transferring burdens to the great Burden Bearer -- A. T. Pierson

Prayer is the time-exposure of the soul to God, in which the image of God is formed on the soul -- Great Thoughts

Prayer is the time-exposure of the soul to God, in which the image of God is formed on the soul. We try in our piety to practise instantaneous photography. One minute for prayer will give us a vision of the image of God, and we think that enough. Our pictures are poor because our negative is weak. We do not give God a long enough sitting to get a good likeness. We do not aquaint ourselves with Him. We do not fill ourselves with His life -- Great Thoughts

"Looking unto Jesus" - that conveys the idea of rigidly shutting out other that one supreme light may fill the eye and gladden the soul -- Alexander MacLaren

Do we consult the Heavenly Government at the outset, or do we pray "the first thing that comes"? Do we spend time waiting upon God to know His will, before embarking on His promises? That this is a principle upon which God works He has informed us very plainly in 1 John 5:14. I cannot but feel that this is the cause (not the only cause) of many unanswered prayers. James 4:3 has a broad application, and we need to search our hearts in its light -- J. O. Fraser

And shall I pray Thee change Thy will, my Father, Until it be according to mine? But no, Lord, no, that never shall be, rather I pray Thee blend my will with Thine. I pray Thee hush the hurrying, eager longing I pray Thee soothe the pangs of keen desire. See in my quiet places wishes thronging, Forbid them, Lord, purge, though it be with fire -- Amy Carmichael

Faith is knowing that our Lord Jesus is Victor. That is to say, it is not thinking about how much faith you have. It is thinking about Him! And it is not thinking so much about what He will do. It is thinking most about what He has done. Jesus Christ is Victor. Faith is depending on that, or better yet, on Him! It is not working up your feelings, and saying, "I must believe;" not that. It is simply fixing my whole thought on Jesus, the Victor. There He is on the throne. That scarred, crowned, enthroned Lord Jesus - I have no doubt about Him! That is faith - looking to Him, resting on what He is, and what He has done, and what He says in His Word -- A. J. Gordon

A "taking" faith is a discerning faith. Those words "obey" and "abide" point to the close touch with the Master that lets us know what His plans are. The daily study of His Word reveals to us His will, and trains us to discern what His particular will is under the circumstances where you must act. Abiding makes us keen to know what we may take. The whole purpose underneath everything is to get His great loving will done. There must be a clear eye before there can be a taking hand -- A. J. Gordon

The preaching man is to be the praying man. Prayer is the preacher’s mightiest weapon. An almighty force in itself, it gives life and force to all. The real sermon is made in the closet. The man-God’s man-is made in the closet. His life and his profoundest convictions were born in his secret communion with God. The burdened and tearful agony of his spirit, his weightiest and sweetest messages were got when alone with God. Prayer makes the man; prayer makes the preacher; prayer makes the pastor. The pulpit of this day is weak in praying. The pride of learning is against the dependent humility of prayer. Prayer is with the pulpit too often only official-a performance for the routine of service. Prayer is not to the modern pulpit the mighty force it was in Paul’s life or Paul’s ministry. Every preacher who does not make prayer a mighty factor in his own life and ministry is weak as a factor in God’s work and is powerless to project God’s cause in this world -- E. M. Bounds

But above all he excelled in prayer. The inwardness and weight of his spirit, the reverence and solemnity of his address and behavior, and the fewness and fullness of his words have often struck even strangers with admiration as they used to reach others with consolation. The most awful, living, reverend frame I ever felt or beheld, I must say, was his prayer. And truly it was a testimony. He knew and lived nearer to the Lord than other men, for they that know him most will see most reason to approach him with reverence and fear -- William Penn of George Fox

...we all have to wait until the astonishing discoveries will one day be made, and find out whose faithful prayer in hospitals, prisons, jungles, wheelchairs, crowded city apartments, cabins in the woods, farms, factories, or concentration camps has been a part of a specific victory in snatching someone from a circle of death, or in breaking chains so that there seems to be an ease for that one in stepping into new life.  I feel sure that we'll be surprised beyond measure to discover who or how many will receive the rewards for their part in taking literally and with simple faith and trust the responsibility to intercede, to pray, to make requests day in and day out  -- Edith Schaeffer

I believe that what the world needs just now is not so much the multiplication of organization as the baptism of the Holy Ghost. We have piles of organizations, but they lie prone upon the earth, incorporated death. We have got organizations enough to revolutionize the race. It is not more schemes we want, more associations, more meetings; we want the breath and fire of the Holy Ghost. A small organization, with breath in it, can do the work of an army.... We may be so intent upon committees that we have no time for the upper room. We may be so public that we forget the secret place. We may be so absorbed in devising machinery and careless about the power which is to make it go. That is our peril. I know it; I feel it -- J. H. Jowett

The great enemy to the Lord Jesus Christ in the present day is the conception of practical work that has not come from the New Testament, but from the systems of the world in which endless energy and activities are insisted upon but no private life with God. The emphasis is put on the wrong thing.... An active Christian worker too often lives in the shop window. It is the innermost of the innermost that reveals the power of the life. We have to get rid of the plague of the spirit of the religious age in which we live. In our Lord's life there was none of the press and rush of tremendous activity that we regard so highly and the disciple is to be as his Master. The central thing about the kingdom of Jesus Christ is a personal relationship to Himself, not public usefulness to men -- Oswald Chambers

It is not enough to keep boys and girls at home and shut out every outward temptation. They carry within them a heart ready for any sin, and until that heart is changed, they are not safe whatever we do. Bad companions are a great evil to be avoided as much as possible. But no bad companion teaches a boy or girl half as much sin as their own hearts will suggest to them, unless they are renewed by the Spirit.... If parents were half as diligent in praying for their children's conversion as they are in keeping them from bad company, their children would turn out far better than they do -- Bishop J.C. Ryle

“O LORD, I have heard thy speech, [and] was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy” Habakkuk 3:2. Revival is the work of God, no doubt about it; Habakkuk knew that. Yet, there’s something for man to do, and it’s pray. Prayer is our recognition that revival indeed comes from God. That’s why we earnestly pray for it. Notice how Habakkuk started out in verse one, “A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet…”. This shows that Habakkuk knew what he had to do to bring revival, and that was pray. The prayer of Habakkuk shows us that revival IS a work of God, it’s not the achievement of man; but, there’s something that man can, and should do for revival, and that’s simply cry out to God, and to plead for His reviving work, just like Habakkuk did… I don’t think you will EVER find a revival that you could call “the prayerless revival”. Prayer is common to every great revival. Every great revival has been marked by a great spirit of prayer -- David Guzik

The revivals differ greatly, from historical time to historical time, but friends: I don’t think you will EVER find a revival that you could call “the prayerless revival”. Prayer is common to every great revival. Every great revival has been marked by a great spirit of prayer -- David Guzik

Revivals are different. Some revivals seem to be predominantly preaching revivals. Some revivals make great note of prominent leaders, like in the first Great Awakening, there was Wesley, Whitfield, two giants of the faith, etc. In the second Great Awakening of 1858, there were no great leaders, it was more of a lay movement. The revivals differ greatly, from historical time to historical time, but friends: I don’t think you will EVER find a revival that you could call “the prayerless revival”. Prayer is common to every great revival. Every great revival has been marked by a GREAT spirit of prayer -- David Guzik

O LORD, I have heard thy speech, [and] was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy -- Habakkuk 3:2

In earnest prayer you think as the Lord directs, and lose yourself in him -- Billy Sunday

...it is so essential to Christianity, that you might as reasonably expect to find a living man without breath, as a true Christian without the spirit of prayer and supplication. Thus, no sooner was St. Paul converted, but "behold he prayeth," saith the Lord Almighty. And thus will it be with every child of God, as soon as he becomes such: prayer being truly called, The natural cry of the new-born soul. For in the heart of every true believer there is a heavenly tendency, a divine attraction, which as sensibly draws him to converse with God, as the lodestone attracts the needle. A deep sense of their own weakness, and of Christ's fullness; a strong conviction of their natural corruption, and of the necessity of renewing grace; will not let them rest from crying day and night to their Almighty Redeemer, that the divine image, which they lost in Adam, may through his all-powerful mediation, and the sanctifying operation of his blessed spirit, be begun, carried on, and fully perfected both in their souls and bodies -- George Whitefield

Let not any one think, that this is an uncommon degree of charity; an high pitch of perfection, to which not every one can attain: for, if we are all commanded to "love our neighbor (that is every man) even as ourselves," nay to "lay down our lives for the brethren;" then, it is the duty of all to pray for their neighbors as much as for themselves, and by all possible acts and expressions of love and affection towards them, at all times, to show their readiness even to lay down their lives for them, if ever it should please God to call them to it. Our blessed Savior, as "he hath set us an example, that we should follow his steps" in every thing else, so hath he more especially in this: for in that divine, that perfect and inimitable prayer (recorded in the 17th of St. John) which he put up just before his passion, we find but few petitions for his own, though many for his disciples welfare: and in that perfect form which he has been pleased to prescribe us, we are taught to say, not MY, but "OUR Father," thereby to put us in mind, that, whenever we approach the throne of grace, we ought to pray not for ourselves alone, but for all our brethren in Christ. Intercession then is certainly a duty incumbent upon all Christians -- George Whitefield

God is always previous, God is always there first, and if you have any desire for God, and for the things of God, it is God himself who put it there -- A. W. Tozer

For all the promises of God in him [are] yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us -- 2Cor 1:20

All this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand Thy truth -- Dan. 9:3

Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of Thy servant, and his supplications, and cause Thy face to shine upon Thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake -- Dan. 9:17

Usually when God intends greatly to bless a church, it will begin in this way — two or three persons in it are distressed at the low state of affairs and become troubled even to anguish. Perhaps they do not know of their common grief but they begin to pray with flaming desire and untiring importunity. The passion to see the church revived rules them. They think of it as they go to rest. They dream of it on their bed. They muse on it in the streets. This one thing consumes them. They suffer great heaviness and continual sorrow in heart for perishing sinners. They travail in birth for souls. Lord, give me a dozen importunate pleaders and lovers of souls, and by Thy grace I will shake London from end to end -- C. H. Spurgeon

I feel more and more deeply, every time I address meetings, that you may have an earnest Christian, a godly man or woman, and yet his or her life be far below what God could make it, if he or she would wait for the Holy Spirit to get possession. Believers, I want to call you to be intercessors, I want to plead with you by the needs of London with its millions of people, by the needs of heathenism with its hundreds of millions, and by the needs of the Church of Christ, alas! alas! with its multitudes of nominal professors and half-hearted Christians—will you not be intercessors? Will you not give up yourselves to walk in the footsteps of Christ, and to become fountains of blessing to this weary world? Oh, come and let the Holy Ghost have you entirely today, and then He will teach you how to pray -- Andrew Murray

I am as certain as I am standing here, that the secret of much mischief to our own souls, and to the souls of others, lies in the way that we stint, and starve, and scamp our prayers by hurrying over them. Prayer worth calling prayer: prayer that God will call true prayer and will treat as true prayer, takes far more time, by the clock, than one man in a thousand thinks. Take good care lest you take your salvation far too softly and far too cheaply. If you find your life of prayer to be always so short, and so easy, and so spiritual, as to be without cost and strain and sweat to you, you may depend upon it, you are not yet begun to pray. As sure as you sit there, and I stand here, it is just in this matter of time in prayer that so many of us are making shipwreck of our own souls, and the souls of others. Were some of us shut up in prison like Paul, I believe we have grace enough to become in that sequestered life men of great and prevailing prayer. And, perhaps, when we are sufficiently old and set free from business, and are sick tired of spending our late nights eating and drinking and talking: when both the church and the world are sick tired of us and leave us alone and forget us, we may find time for prayer and may get back the years of prayer those cankerworms have eaten -- Alexander Whyte

Prayer worth calling prayer: prayer that God will call true prayer and will treat as true prayer, takes far more time, by the clock, than one man in a thousand thinks -- Alexander Whyte

Will you rise up and put on the fighting garments of prayer? They are neither beautiful nor brilliant, but they are absolutely powerful in the tearing down of the strongholds of Satan. Christ prays not for the sinner; angels have not been given the privilege. It is given to you, who love the Christ, to pray for that lost soul [1Tim 2:1-8]. This, then, is the challenge — Will You Pray? -- G. D. Watson

Prayer is not a consultation with the highest wisdom which this world can supply. It is not communication with an angel or a spirit made perfect. But it is an approach to the living God. It is access to the high and holy One Who inhabiteth eternity. It is detailing in the ear of Divine sympathy every sorrow. It is consulting with Divine Wisdom on every difficulty. It is asking from Divine resources the supply of every want. And this not once in a lifetime, or for a few moments on a stated day of each year, but at any moment, at every time of need -- James Hamilton, D D

As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness -- Psalm 17:15

A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, [that goeth] not out of feigned lips -- Psalm 17:1

Psalm 17:1 A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, [that goeth] not out of feigned lips. 2 Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal. 3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited [me] in the night; thou hast tried me, [and] shalt find nothing; I am purposed [that] my mouth shall not transgress. 4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept [me from] the paths of the destroyer. 5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, [that] my footsteps slip not. 6 I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, [and hear] my speech. 7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust [in thee] from those that rise up [against them]. 8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, 9 From the wicked that oppress me, [from] my deadly enemies, [who] compass me about. 10 They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly. 11 They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth; 12 Like as a lion [that] is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places. 13 Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, [which is] thy sword: 14 From men [which are] thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, [which have] their portion in [this] life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid [treasure]: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their [substance] to their babes. 15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness

I know some of you think that God will not hear your prayers, because you cannot pray grandly like such-and-such a minister. Oh, but the Spirit of his Son cries, and you cannot do better than cry too. Be satisfied to offer to God broken language, words salted with your griefs, wetted with your tears. Go to him with holy familiarity, and be not afraid to cry in his presence, "Abba, Father." But then how earnest it is: for a cry is an intense thing. The word implies fervency. A cry is not a flippant utterance, nor a mere thing of the lips, it comes up from the soul. Hath not the Lord taught us to cry to him in prayer with fervent importunity that will not take a denial? Hath he not brought us so near to him that sometimes we say, "I will not let thee go except thou bless me"? Hath he not taught us so to pray that his disciples might almost say of us as they did of one of old, "Send her away, for she crieth after us." We do cry after him, our heart and our flesh crieth out for God, for the living God, and this is the cry, "Abba, Father, I must know thee, I must taste thy love, I must dwell under thy wing, I must behold thy face, I must feel thy great fatherly heart overflowing and filling my heart with peace." We cry, "Abba, Father." -- C. H. Spurgeon

And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat – Mark 6:31

And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat – Mark 6:31

We limit God by our timid asking and failing to harness by prayer that immeasurable Almightiness of God. God has said His power was unlimited. "With God nothing shall be impossible unto you." He has told us to "ask" and promised that we should receive. The tragedy of most of our lives is what we miss. Trivialities absorb us while all the time God's almightiness is available! – A. T. Pierson

Sometimes I have thought that my asking was too presumptuous, it was even beyond the power of God to give. And yet here comes the apostolic doxology: "above all we ask." What I have asked for is nothing compared to the ability of my God to give. I have asked for a cupful, and the ocean remains! I have asked for a sunbeam, and the sun abides! My best asking falls immeasurably short of my Father's giving. It is beyond all that we ask -- J. H. Jowett

The Word of God represents all the possibilities of God as at the disposal of true prayer. Help is at hand, and often comes before the prayer is yet complete, because He hears the unspoken sigh and groan. God's supplies are inexhaustible; His ability and willingness are both infinite; hence His answers often transcend all our requests or even imaginings. When the praying suppliant abides in Christ, as the branch in the vine, his supplications are but one form of the development and expression of the Life of Christ in him, just as the buds, blossoms, and clusters of the branch are expressions of the vine's vitality -- A. T. Pierson

The Holy Spirit comes to our aid when, wearied with self-effort, we ask, seek, and knock – E. F. & L. Harvey 

Prayerlessness is a sin that can be repented of and blood-cleansed - like other sins. Why is there so little anxiety to get time to pray? Why is there so little forethought in the laying out of time and employment—so as to secure a large portion of each day for prayer? Why is there so much speaking, yet so little prayer? Why is there so much running to and fro to meetings, conventions, fellowship gatherings, and yet so little time for prayer? Brethren, why so many meetings with our fellow men and so few meetings with God? -- Andrew Bonar

Faith is knowing that our Lord Jesus is Victor. That is to say, it is not thinking about how much faith you have. It is thinking about Him! And it is not thinking so much about what He will do. It is thinking most about what He has done. Jesus Christ is Victor. Faith is depending on that, or better yet, on Him! It is not working up your feelings, and saying, "I must believe;" not that. It is simply fixing my whole thought on Jesus, the Victor. There He is on the throne. That scarred, crowned, enthroned Lord Jesus — I have no doubt about Him! That is faith—looking to Him, resting on what He is, and what He has done, and what He says in His Word -- A. J. Gordon

A "taking" faith is a discerning faith. Those words "obey" and "abide" point to the close touch with the Master that lets us know what His plans are. The daily study of His Word reveals to us His will, and trains us to discern what His particular will is under the circumstance where you must act. Abiding makes us keen to know what we may take. The whole purpose underneath everything is to get His great loving will done. There must be a clear eye before there can be a taking hand. -- A. J. Gordon

I am as certain as I am standing here, that the secret of much mischief to our own souls, and to the souls of others, lies in the way that we stint, and starve, and scamp our prayers by hurrying over them. Prayer worth calling prayer: prayer that God will call true prayer and will treat as true prayer, takes far more time, by the clock, than one man in a thousand thinks -- Alexander Whyte

Take good care lest you take your salvation far too softly and far too cheaply. If you find your life of prayer to be always so short, and so easy, and so spiritual, as to be without cost and strain and sweat to you, you may depend upon it, you are not yet begun to pray. As sure as you sit there, and I stand here, it is just in this matter of time in prayer that so many of us are making shipwreck of our own souls, and the souls of others -- Alexander Whyte

Were some of us shut up in prison like Paul, I believe we have grace enough to become in that sequestered life men of great and prevailing prayer. And, perhaps, when we are sufficiently old and set free from business, and are sick and tired of spending our late nights eating and drinking and talking: when both the church and the world are sick and tired of us and leave us alone and forget us, we may find time for prayer and may get back the years of prayer those cankerworms have eaten -- Alexander Whyte

In these days there is no time to pray; but without time, and a lot of it, we shall never learn to pray. It ought to be possible to give God one hour out of twenty-four all to Himself -- Samuel Chadwick

May the Lord, in mercy, save me from setting up an idol of any sort in His room, as I do by preferring a work professedly for Him to communion with Him. How obstinate the reluctance of the natural heart to God. But, O my soul, be not deceived, the chief work on earth is to obtain sanctification and to walk with God -- Henry Martyn

I desire by God’s grace to give to you this message - that your God in Heaven answers the prayers which you have offered for blessing on yourselves and for blessing on those around you by this one demand: Are you willing to surrender yourselves absolutely into His hands? -- Andrew Murray, "Absolute Surrender"

We will only advance in our evangelistic work as fast and as far as we advance on our knees. Prayer opens the channel between a soul and God; prayerlessness closes it. Prayer releases the grip of Satan's power; prayerlessness increases it. That is why prayer is so exhausting and so vital. If we believed it, the prayer meeting would be as full as the church -- Alan Redpath

In this battle we declare our dependence on God Most High (Psalm 57:2), Jesus Christ the King Eternal (1 Timothy 1:17) and the Holy Spirit who indwells all believers (Romans 8:9). We acknowledge that prayer is the foundational way we demonstrate this dependence. We believe that through prayer God breaks the bondage of sin, shines light into the darkness, brings sinners to repentance, restores marriages, builds families, changes hearts, gives victory in personal struggles, gives us the mind of Christ, heals wounded souls, directs our paths, works miracles, establishes holiness, exposes sin, brings revival, and advances His kingdom -- Kenneth Harer www.kneelingwetriumph.com

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever - the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you -- Jesus, John 14:12-18 NKJV

In his epistle to the Ephesians, Paul presented the armor that the believer is to put on in order to meet the enemy, Satan. Every bit of that armory is for defense, with the exception of two weapons of offense, both of which are to be wielded in the power of the Holy Spirit. One of those is the sword of the Spirit, or the Word of God. But will you notice the second: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints . . . (Ephesians 6:18 NKJV) Prayer, through the Holy Spirit, is a weapon of offense against Satan. You can't get much more powerful than that. Then Jude, who gave one of the most picturesque accounts of the apostasy that you'll find in Scripture, told the children of God: But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. . . (Jude 20 NKJV) Praying in the Holy Spirit is what gives us the power to live the Christian life in these days of apostasy -- J. Vernon McGee, “J. Vernon McGee on Prayer”

Prayer is not for us to get God into line with our little will, but it's to get us into line with His will. Oh, how important it is to understand that today... Have you ever noticed in the so-called Lord's Prayer that the first three requests concern God's glory and His will, and they do not concern us at all? “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10 NKJV, emphasis mine) In our prayers we need to be more concerned about seeing God's will done and not our own desires fulfilled -- J. Vernon McGee, “J. Vernon McGee on Prayer”

The Holy Spirit brings power to our prayers, my beloved. Notice what Paul said to the Ephesians: Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the POWER that works in us ... (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV, emphasis mine) -- J. Vernon McGee, “J. Vernon McGee on Prayer”

The principle for power, the formula, is yielding! Too many believers go through life today never learning to yield to the will of God in their prayer lives. But God says that if we will be filled with the Holy Spirit and yield to His will in prayer, we will have power with Him and with men. How we need that power today! -- J. Vernon McGee, “J. Vernon McGee on Prayer”

Have you ever noticed that our Lord also prayed privately? There's no public prayer in the ministry of Christ. Yes, He prayed before groups, but they were personal groups — never public prayer. Public prayer should always be short; private prayer should always be long. That's where we need to spend time -- J. Vernon McGee, “J. Vernon McGee on Prayer”

What is it today that enables a little man to penetrate space and get to the throne of God? It's power. It takes power beyond man. That's the reason Scripture is careful to say that we are to be filled with the Holy Spirit. May I say that I do not believe God will hear, or can hear, prayer unless it is that of a Christian who is Spirit-filled. That's the reason why Jude, giving instructions for the last day, gave as the second instruction "praying in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 20 NKJV). And Paul, writing to the Ephesians, recommended "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:18 NKJV). There was an old agnostic of the past who said that prayer is a fool talking to himself. I'll admit, it is almost that unless - you're Spirit-filled. You see, prayer must be supernatural to be real. What makes prayer supernatural is that the one doing the praying is filled by the Holy Spirit. Genuine prayer is the Holy Spirit speaking in the believer through the Son to the Father. My beloved, there must be a divine enabling to pray effectively and efficiently. We need more power in prayer. After God crippled Jacob yonder at Peniel, He said to him, "You shall now have power with God" (see Genesis 32:28 KJV). Oh, how we need power with God today! And we get that power by being able to pray from the heart -- J. Vernon McGee, “J. Vernon McGee on Prayer”

Do you know why prayer meetings are not popular and there is so little praying being done today in the church? It's because real prayer is work. It's labor. It's pain! But we today are lazy and indifferent -- J. Vernon McGee, “J. Vernon McGee on Prayer”

Daniel went to God with a petition. I want to tell you that this man had a burden on his heart. He knew what he wanted, and he went to God about the matter. Someone is sure to say, "Daniel read in Jeremiah that they were going to come out of captivity in seventy years, and he believed it. So why in the world did he pray about it? There's no need to pray for that which is already predestined." Have you ever heard anyone say that? "If a thing is predestined, there's no use praying about it. Prayer can't change things." Daniel didn't believe that. He believed you could change things. He believed that you were to pray about things that were already predestined. In fact, he believed those were the exact things you were to pray about! You see, Daniel knew the will of God, and that gave him confidence when he went to Him in prayer. John said, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14 NKJV) Daniel had confidence that he was praying in the will of God, and that makes a petition powerful. And believe me, my friends — he got his answer! The angel Gabriel appeared to give him his answer personally. A great many of us do not have confidence when we go to God in prayer because we're not quite sure that the thing we are praying about is according to the will of God. How can you know the will of God? Well, you can't know it in a moment. You can't wait until the situation comes up and then immediately know the will of God. You need to be saturated with the Word of God. Beloved, you and I can never know the will of God apart from the Word of God. Why? Because the will of God is revealed in the Word of God. And this man, Daniel, had been studying the Word of God! So he went in and he petitioned God in confidence -- J. Vernon McGee, “J. Vernon McGee on Prayer”

I don't want to discourage anyone, but real prayer is not just spiritual sit-up exercises. Real prayer requires laborious effort. It requires arduous work, eternal endurance, and plenty of pain. Real prayer is an exercise of the soul that develops spiritual muscles. It tones up the new man so he can endure hardness in this world in which we live -- J. Vernon McGee, “J. Vernon McGee on Prayer”

And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we [are] -- Jesus, John 17:11

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me -- Jesus, John 17:20-23

For in the heart of every true believer there is a heavenly tendency, a divine attraction, which as sensibly draws him to converse with God, as the lodestone attracts the needle. A deep sense of their own weakness, and of Christ's fullness; a strong conviction of their natural corruption, and of the necessity of renewing grace; will not let them rest from crying day and night to their Almighty Redeemer, that the divine image, which they lost in Adam, may through his all-powerful mediation, and the sanctifying operation of his blessed spirit, be begun, carried on, and fully perfected both in their souls and bodies -- George Whitefield, www.liftupusa.com/intercessionwhitefield.htm

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another -- John 15:16,17

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it]. If ye love me, keep my commandments -- John 14:13,14

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, [then] have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us -- 1 John 3:21-24

O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! -- Psalm 119:5

GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, [that] I may live, and keep thy word -- Psalm 119:17

Joh 15:7 - "Ask whatsoever ye will..." This astounding command and promise is not without conditions and limitations. It involves such intimate union and harmony with Christ that nothing will be asked out of accord with the mind of Christ and so of the Father. Christ’s name is mentioned in John 15:16; John 14:13; John 16:23 – J. A. T. Robertson

If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you. In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples -- John 15:7,8

There's nothing more transfiguring than prayer. People often ask, "Why do you insist on prayer so much?" The answer is very simple - because Jesus did. You could change the title of the Gospel according to St. Luke to the Gospel of Prayer. It's the prayer life of Jesus. The other evangelists say that Jesus was in the Jordan and the Spirit descended on Him as a dove - Luke says it was while He was praying that the Spirit descended on Him. The other evangelists say that Jesus chose 12 disciples - Luke says it was after He spent a night in prayer that He chose 12 disciples. The other evangelists say that Jesus died on a cross - Luke says that even when He was dying Jesus was praying for those who persecuted Him. The other evangelists say Jesus went on a mount and He was transfigured - Luke says it was while He was praying that He was transfigured. There's nothing more transfiguring than prayer -- Leonard Ravenhill

The men that will change the colleges and seminaries here represented are the men that will spend the most time alone with God…It takes time for the fires to burn. It takes time for God to draw near and for us to know that He is there. It takes time to assimilate His truth. You ask me, How much time? I do not know. I know it means time enough to forget time -- John R. Mott

The reason why many fail in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came...Anticipate your battles; fight them on your knees before temptation comes, and you will always have victory -- R. A. Torrey

Closet communion needs time for the revelation of God’s presence. It is vain to say, ‘I have too much work to do to find time.’ You must find time or forfeit blessing. God knows how to save for you the time you sacredly keep for communion with Him -- A. T. Pierson

He can do all things who prays well. All soul-winners have conquered on their knees. Wherever the secret of prevailing prayer is found, something supernatural will come to pass -- G. F. Oliver

How terrible is the cost of robbing God of time for prayer. When we rob God of time for quiet, we are robbing Him of ourselves. It is only in the quiet that we can really know Him and know ourselves, and be sure that we give ourselves back to Him. Oh, for God's sake, do not risk keeping the windows of Heaven closed by robbing God of time ( Keswick 1946 ) -- Gordon M. Guinness

The Church gives more time, thought, and money to recreation and sport than to prayer -- Samuel Chadwick

Am I robbing God of time? How easy to do, and how impossible to repay! We have lost the sacred art of spending time with God, and nothing else can ever take its place. No repentance however deep, no restitution however costly, no sorrow however complete, can do away with the necessity for a daily time of sacred quiet, alone with God ( Keswick 1946 ) -- Gordon M. Guinness

When our quiet times have become hurried, how can we expect to give God the adoration that is His due? How can we receive the guidance that God is waiting to give? How can our hearts catch the glow of divine fire? How can we have deep fellowship with those purposes that are really nearest to the heart of God? ( Keswick 1946 ) -- Gordon M. Guinness

The secret of the success of the Apostles lay not in what they did and said, but in the presence of Christ in them and with them. They saw with the eyes of Christ, felt with His heart, and worked with His energies. They were nothing; Christ was everything. Christ was living, breathing, and triumphing in their personal lives. Their entire nature being replete with His life, their spirits bathed in His light, and their souls kindled with the fires of His love, they moved in the midst of men as embodiments of supernatural power… Brethren, this is what we must be, if this mighty Empire (China) is to be moved through us. But to be this, the throne of grace must be our refuge, the secret place of the Most High must be our daily and hourly habitation -- Griffith John

...I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, [and] established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, [even] praise unto our God: many shall see [it], and fear, and shall trust in the LORD -- Psalm 40:1-3

Many, O LORD my God, [are] thy wonderful works [which] thou hast done, and thy thoughts [which are] to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: [if] I would declare and speak [of them], they are more than can be numbered -- Psalm 40:5

...Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, [bless] his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good [things; so that] thy youth is renewed like the eagle's -- Psalm 103:1-5

This much is sure in all churches, forgetting party labels; the smallest meeting numerically is the prayer- meeting. If weak in prayer we are weak everywhere -- Leonard Ravenhill

It is the Holy Ghost in us that is everything, and the Father is willing to bestow Him upon the weakest if he will only ask in the spirit of implicit faith and entire self-surrender. My cry these days is for a Pentecost, first on myself and my missionary brethren, and then on the native Church, and then on the heathen at large -- Griffith John

The Life of Prayer-great and sacred theme! It leads us into the Holy of Holies and the secret place of the Most High. It is the very life of the Christian, and it touches the life of God Himself. We enter the sacred chamber on our knees. We still our thoughts and words, and say, "Lord, teach us to pray. Give us Thy holy desires, and let our prayer be the very echo of Thy will. Give us Thy Spirit as our Advocate within. Open our eyes to see our Great High Priest and Advocate above, and help us so to abide in Him, and to have His Word so abiding in us, that we shall ask what we will, and it shall be done unto us." And as in ignorance and weakness we venture to speak and think upon this vital theme, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, 0 Lord, my strength, and my redeemer." And may every true word and thought of this little volume be a living experience to him who speaks and to all who hear, and so minister to the life of prayer in all our lives, that it shall bring, in some humble measure, an answer to the greatest of all prayers, and the prayer with which this opening chapter begins and to which this book is dedicated, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name -- A. B. Simpson, "The Life of Prayer"

[Concerning the Lord’s Prayer] This wonderful prayer was dictated by our Lord in reply to the question on the part of His disciples, "Lord, teach us to pray." His answer was to bid them pray. This is the only way we shall ever learn to pray, by just beginning to do it. And as the babbling child learns the art of speech by speaking, and the lark mounts up to the heights of the sky by beating its little wings again and again upon the air, so prayer will teach us how to pray -- A. B. Simpson, "The Life of Prayer"

... all true prayer begins in the recognition of the Father -- A. B. Simpson, "The Life of Prayer"

The first view given of God in the Lord's Prayer is not His majesty but His paternal love. To the listening disciples this must have been a strange expression from the lips of their Lord as a pattern for them. Never had Jewish ear heard God so named, at least in His relation to the individual. The Father of the Nation He was sometimes called, but no sinful man had ever dared to call God his Father. They, doubtless, had heard their Master speak in this delightful name of God as His Father, but that they should call Jehovah by such a name had never dawned upon their legal and unillumined minds. And yet it really means that we may and should recognize that God is our Father in the very sense in which He is His Father, and ours as partakers of His Sonship and His Name. The Name expresses the most personal and tender love, protection, care, and intimacy; and it gives to prayer, at the very outset, the beautiful atmosphere of the home circle and the delightful affectionate and intimate fellowship of friend with friend -- A. B. Simpson, "The Life of Prayer"

Behold, I [ am ] the LORD , the God of all flesh : is there any thing too hard for me? -- Jeremiah 32:27

...prayer is not only a fellowship with God but a fellowship of human hearts. "Our Father" lifts each of us at once out of ourselves, and, if nowhere else on earth, at least at the throne of grace, makes us members one of another. Of course, it is assumed that the first link in the fellowship is Christ, our Elder Brother, and so there is no single heart, however isolated, but that may come with this prayer with perfect truthfulness, and hand in hand with Christ say, "Christ's and mine." But, undoubtedly, it chiefly refers to the fellowship of human hearts. The highest promises made to prayer are those who agree, or, as the Greek more beautifully expresses it, "symphonize" on earth. There is no place where we can love our friends so beautifully or so purely as at the throne of grace. There is no exercise in which the differences of Christians melt away as when their hearts meet together in the unity of prayer, and there is no remedy for the divisions of Christianity but to come closer to the Father, and then, perforce, we shall be in touch with each other -- A. B. Simpson, "The Life of Prayer"

The highest promises made to prayer are those who agree, or, as the Greek more beautifully expresses it, "symphonize" on earth. There is no place where we can love our friends so beautifully or so purely as at the throne of grace. There is no exercise in which the differences of Christians melt away as when their hearts meet together in the unity of prayer, and there is no remedy for the divisions of Christianity but to come closer to the Father, and then, perforce, we shall be in touch with each other -- A. B. Simpson, "The Life of Prayer"

...worship is the highest element in prayer. "Hallowed be thy name" is more than any petition of the Lord's Prayer. It brings us directly to God Himself and makes His glory supreme, above all our thoughts and all our wants. It reminds us that the first purpose of our prayers should ever be, not the supply of our personal needs, but the worship and adoration of our God. In the ancient feasts everything was first brought to Him, and then it was given to the worshiper in several cases for his use, and its use was hallowed by the fact that it had already been laid at Jehovah's feet. And so the spirit that can truly utter this prayer and fully enter into its meaning can receive all the other petitions of it with double blessing. Not until we have first become satisfied with God Himself and realize that His glory is above all our desires and interests are we prepared to receive any blessing in the highest sense; and when we can truly say, "Hallowed be thy name whatever comes to me," we have the substance of all blessing in our heart -- A. B. Simpson, "The Life of Prayer"

From the house of prayer comes Divine wisdom, by which we wage war -- Lou Engle 

...worship is the highest element in prayer. "Hallowed be thy name" is more than any petition of the Lord's Prayer. It brings us directly to God Himself and makes His glory supreme, above all our thoughts and all our wants. It reminds us that the first purpose of our prayers should ever be, not the supply of our personal needs, but the worship and adoration of our God…Not until we have first become satisfied with God Himself and realize that His glory is above all our desires and interests are we prepared to receive any blessing in the highest sense; and when we can truly say, "Hallowed be thy name whatever comes to me," we have the substance of all blessing in our heart. This is the innermost chamber of the Holy of Holies, and none can enter it without becoming conscious of the hallowing blessing that falls upon and fills us with the glory which we have ascribed to Him. The sacred sense of His overshadowing, the deep and penetrating solemnity, the heavenly calm, that fills the heart which can truly utter these sacred words, constitute a blessing above all other blessings that even this prayer can ask. Beloved, have we learned to begin our prayer in this holy place, on this heavenly plane? Then, indeed, have we learned to pray -- A. B. Simpson, "The Life of Prayer"

The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me - A prayer to the God of my life -- Psalms 42:8 NKJV

O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your dwelling places -- Psa 43:3 NASB

Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth -- Psalms 46:10

It is said of a devoted minister, Dr. Backus, of Baltimore, that when told he was dying and had only half an hour to live, he asked them to raise him from his bed and place him upon his knees, and he spent the last half hour of his life in one ceaseless prayer for the evangelization of the world. Truly that was a glorious place to end a life of prayer! But the Lord's Prayer begins with this lofty theme and teaches us that it should ever be the first concern and petition of every loyal subject of the Redeemer's Kingdom. Must it not be true, beloved, that the failure of many of our prayers may be traced to their selfishness, and the innumerable efforts we have spent upon our own interests, and the little we have ever asked for the Kingdom of our Lord? There is no blessing so great as that which comes when our hearts are lifted out of self and become one with Christ in intercession for others and for His cause. There is no joy so pure as that of taking the burden of our Master's cause on our hearts and bearing it with Him every day in ceaseless prayer, as though its interests wholly depended upon the uplifting of our hands and the remembrance of our faith. "Prayer shall be made for him continually," is one of the promises respecting our blessed Lord. Beloved, have we prayed for Jesus as much as we have for ourselves? There is no ministry which will bring more power and blessing upon the world and from which we ourselves will reap larger harvests of eternal fruit than the habit of believing, definite and persistent prayer for the progress of Christ's Kingdom, for the needs of His church and work, for His ministers and servants, and especially for the evangelization of the world and the vast neglected myriads who know not how to pray for themselves. Oh, let us awaken from our spiritual selfishness and learn the meaning of the petition, "Thy kingdom come!" -- A. B. Simpson, "The Life of Prayer"

Psa 55:17 - Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray - In another place Psa 119:164 the psalmist says that he engaged in acts of devotion seven times in a day. Daniel prayed three times a day, Dan 6:10. David went, in his troubles, before God evening, morning, and mid-day, in solemn, earnest prayer. So Paul, in a time of great distress, gave himself on three set occasions to earnest prayer for deliverance...True religion is cultivated by frequent and regular seasons of devotion -- Albert Barnes, “Barnes Notes”

Psa 55:17 - Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray - Often, but none too often. Seasons of great need call for frequent seasons of devotion. The three periods chosen are most fitting; to begin, continue, and end the day with God is supreme wisdom. Where time has naturally set up a boundary, there let us set up an altar-stone. The Psalmist means that he will always pray; he will run a line of prayer right along the day and track the sun with his petitions. Day and night he saw his enemies busy (Psa_55:10), and therefore he would meet their activity by continuous prayer. “And cry aloud.” He would give a tongue to his complaint; he would be very earnest in his pleas with heaven. Some cry aloud who never say a word. It is the bell of the heart that rings loudest in heaven. Some read it, “I will muse and murmur;” deep heart-thoughts should be attended with inarticulate but vehement utterances of grief. Blessed be God, moaning is translatable in heaven. A father's heart reads a child's heart. “And he shall hear my voice.” He is confident that he will prevail; he makes no question that he would be heard, he speaks as if already he were answered. When our window is opened towards heaven, the windows of heaven are open to us. Have but a pleading heart and God will have a plenteous hand -- C. H. Spurgeon, “A Treasury of David”

Psa 55:17 - He resolves to be both fervent and frequent in this duty. 1. He will pray fervently: “I will pray and cry aloud. I will meditate” (so the former word signifies); “I will speak with my own heart, and the prayer shall come thence.” Then we pray aright when we pray with all that is within us, think first and then pray over our thoughts; for the true nature of prayer is lifting up the heart to God. Having meditated, he will cry, he will cry aloud; the fervour of his spirit in prayer shall be expressed and yet more excited by the intenseness and earnestness of his voice. 2. He will pray frequently, every day, and three times a day - evening, and morning, and at noon. It is probable that this had been his constant practice, and he resolves to continue it now that he is in his distress. Then we may come the more boldly to the throne of grace in trouble when we do not then first begin to seek acquaintance with God, but it is what we have constantly practised, and the trouble finds the wheels of prayer going. Those that think three meals a day little enough for the body ought much more to think three solemn prayers a day little enough for the soul, and to count it a pleasure, not a task. As it is fit that in the morning we should begin the day with God, and in the evening close it with him, so it is fit that in the midst of the day we should retire awhile to converse with him. It was Daniel's practice to pray three times a day (Dan_6:10), and noon was one of Peter's hours of prayer, Act_10:9. Let not us be weary of praying often, for God is not weary of hearing -- Matthew Henry

Psa 55:17 - Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, AND CRY ALOUD - H1993 haw-maw' - A primitive root (compare H1949); to make a loud sound (like English "hum"); by implication to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor: - clamorous, concourse, cry aloud, be disquieted, loud, mourn, be moved, make a noise, rage, roar, sound, be troubled, make in tumult, tumultuous, be in an uproar -- Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

Isaiah 56:7 "Even them will I bring to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a "house of prayer for all nations". Matthew 21:13 "And He saith unto them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer.'" Mark 11:17 And He taught, and said unto them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations?'" Luke19:45-46 Then (Jesus) went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in saying unto them, "It is written, 'And my house shall be a house of prayer...'"

Nine out ten of us are needing to rescue our prayer life from the tyranny of our emotions, and from bondage to moods, or feelings. All too many of us pray only when we feel emotionally drawn to do so, or when there is seen some special need for prayer; and thus, our prayer times become sporadic, disconnected, evanescent, and seemingly exasperated. Also there are many Christians who seem to have the strange idea, that unless they become emotionally stimulated during a time of prayer, their praying has been merely skyward talk, lost in empty space... Now listen to me! All of us are needing to learn, deeply and permanently, that the validity of prayer is utterly independent of any emotional condition in the one who prays. The thing that makes prayer valid and vital is that my faith lays hold on God's truth, and presses for an answer, in the Name that is above every name. GET RID of your blessed emotions! They're a perfect nuisance in this matter of prayer -- J. Sidlow Baxter

Most of us never know the larger power and richer depths of prayer because our praying is a continual running in circles around our own selves. We’re so full of our wants that we forget our greatest need of all, that is to be lifted completely out of our hereditary self-ism, into a Christ-like other-ism – a burning concern for the saving and blessing of others. Our praying is self-circling, instead of outgoing. It’s nearly all begging, instead of largely interceding. Such self-preoccupied prayer soon becomes a withered fig tree. OH the liberation that comes to our own spirits, when we forget ourselves, and give ourselves, to praying for others -- J. Sidlow Baxter

May I remind you of the epilogue of that magnificent poem, the book of Job. It says, "and the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for himself." Does it? No. Now if ever a man needed to pray for himself, Job did. And if ever a man pleaded for himself, Job did; But, "the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends" - his what? Ooooo, what "friends" they were! They came ostensively to be his sympathizers, and they turned out to be his cruelest condemners. And they talked, and talked, and talked, until their cloudy verbosity nearly sent poor Job doubting. They all needed to have their blocks knocked off, but God said to Job pray for those three friends of yours, "and the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends." I’ll give you a motto for prayer: Egocentricity strangulates it. Catholicity supplemates it. And if you want to know the wonderful reflective benefits of prayer, forget yourselves! And pray for others -- J. Sidlow Baxter

How blessed it is to hear some aged saint, who has long walked with God and enjoyed intimate communion with Him, pouring out his heart before Him in adoration and supplication. But how much more blessed should we esteem it could we have listened to the utterances of those who companied with Christ in person during the days when He tabernacled in this scene. And if one of the apostles were still here upon earth, what a high privilege we should deem it to hear him engage in prayer! Such a high privilege that most of us would be willing to go to considerable inconvenience and to travel a long distance in order to be thus favored. And if our desire were granted, how closely we would listen to his words, how diligently we would seek to treasure them up in our memories. Well, no such inconvenience, no such journey, is required. It has pleased the Holy Spirit to record quite a number of the apostolic prayers for our instruction and satisfaction. Do we evidence our appreciation of such a boon? Have we ever made a list of them and meditated upon their import? -- A. W. Pink, "Gleanings from Paul"

The fact that so many prayers are found in the New Testament epistles calls attention to an important aspect of ministerial duty. The preacher's obligations are not fully discharged when he leaves the pulpit, for he needs to water the seed he has sown. We will enlarge a little upon this point for the benefit of young preachers. It has already been seen that the apostles devoted themselves "continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word," and therein have they left an excellent example to be observed by all who follow them in the sacred vocation. Observe the order, and not only observe, but heed and practice the same. The most laborious and carefully prepared sermon is likely to fall unctionless [unanointed] on the hearers unless it has been born out of travail of soul before God. Unless the sermon be the product of earnest prayer, we must not expect it to awaken the spirit of prayer in those who hear it. As we have pointed out, Paul mingled supplications with his instructions. It is our privilege and duty to retire to the secret place after we leave the pulpit and beg God to write His Word on the hearts of those who have listened to us, to prevent the Enemy from snatching away the seed, to so bless our efforts that they may bear fruit to God's eternal praise. Luther was known to say, "There are three things which go to the making of a successful preacher: supplication, meditation, and tribulation." This was taken down by one of his students from his "Table Talks." We know not what elaboration the great Reformer made, but we suppose he meant that prayer is necessary to bring the preacher into a suitable frame to handle divine things and endue him with power. He meant also that meditation on the Word is essential in order to supply him with material for his message. Finally, tribulation is required as ballast for his vessel, for the minister of the gospel needs trials to keep him humble, as the apostle was given a thorn in the flesh that he might not be unduly exalted by the abundance of the revelations given him. Prayer is the appointed medium of receiving spiritual communications for the instruction of our people. We must be much with God before we are fit-ted to go forth and speak in His name. The Colossians were reminded that their minister was "always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that we may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God" (4:12). Could your church be truthfully told that of you? -- A. W. Pink, "Gleanings from Paul"

O, what heat, strength, life, vigour, and affection there is in true prayer! 'As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God' (Ps. 42:1). 'I have longed after thy precepts' (Ps. 119:40). '1 have longed for thy salvation" (Ps. 17:4). 'My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God' (Ps. 84:2). 'My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times' (Ps. 119:20). O what affection is here discovered in prayer! You have the same in Daniel. 'O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God" (Dan. 9:19). Every syllable carries a mighty vehemency in it. This is called the fervent, or the working prayer, by James. And so again, 'And being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly* (Luke 22:44). He had his affections more and more drawn out after God for his helping hand. O how wide are the most of men with their prayers from this prayer!...When the affections are indeed engaged in prayer, then the whole man is engaged, and that in such sort that the soul will spend itself, as it were, rather than go without that good desired, even communion and solace with Christ. And hence it is that the saints have spent their strength, and lost their lives, rather than go without the blessing (Ps. 69:3; 38:9,10; Gen. 32:24, 26) -- John Bunyan, "Praying in the Spirit" True prayer sees nothing substantial, and worth the looking after, but God -- John Bunyan, "Praying in the Spirit"

...show me now thy way, that I may know thee -- Ex. 32:13

Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate, pouring out of the heart or soul to God through Christ, by the strength or assistance of the Spirit. These things so depend one upon another that it is impossible that it should be prayer without a joint concurrence of them; for though it be never so eloquent, yet without these things, it is only such prayer as is rejected of God. For without a sincere, sensible, affectionate, pouring out of the heart to God, it is but lip-labour; and if it be not through Christ, it falls far short of ever sounding well in the ears of God. So also, if it be not in the strength and by the assistance of the Spirit, it is but like the sons of Aaron, offering strange fire (Lev. 10:1, 2)... that which is not petitioned through the teaching and assistance of the Spirit cannot be 'according to the will of God' (Rom. 8:26, 27) -- John Bunyan, "Praying in the Spirit"

"Pray without ceasing." — 1 Thessalonians 5:17. The position of our text is very suggestive. Observe what it follows. It comes immediately after the precept, "Rejoice evermore;" as if that command had somewhat staggered the reader, and made him ask "How can I always rejoice?" and, therefore, the apostle appended as answer, "Always pray." The more praying the more rejoicing. Prayer gives a channel to the pent-up sorrows of the soul, they flow away, and in their stead streams of sacred delight pour into the heart. At the same time the more rejoicing the more praying; when the heart is in a quiet condition, and full of joy in the Lord, then also will it be sure to draw nigh unto the Lord in worship. Holy joy and prayer act and react upon each other. Observe, however, what immediately follows the text: "In everything give thanks." When joy and prayer are married their first born child is gratitude. When we joy in God for what we have, and believingly pray to him for more, then our souls thank him both in the enjoyment of what we have, and in the prospect of what is yet to come. Those three texts are three companion pictures, representing the life of a true Christian, the central sketch is the connecting link between those on either side. These three precepts are an ornament of grace to every believer's neck, wear them every one of you, for glory and for beauty; "Rejoice evermore;" "Pray without ceasing;" "in everything give thanks." -- C. H. Spurgeon, "Pray Without Ceasing"

...the posture of prayer is of no great importance, for if it were necessary that we should pray on our knees we could not pray without ceasing, the posture would become painful and injurious. To what end has our Creator given us feet, if he desires us never to stand upon them? If he had meant us to be on our knees without ceasing, he would have fashioned the body differently, and would not have endowed us with such unnecessary length of limb. It is well to pray on one's knees; it is a most fitting posture; it is one which expresses humility, and when humility is truly felt, kneeling is a natural and beautiful token of it, but, at the same time, good men have prayed flat upon their faces, have prayed sitting, have prayed standing, have prayed in any posture, and the posture does not enter into the essence of prayer. Consent not to be placed in bondage by those to whom the bended knee is reckoned of more importance than the contrite heart -- C. H. Spurgeon, "Pray Without Ceasing"

"Pray without ceasing." That precept at one stroke overthrows the idea of particular times wherein prayer is more acceptable or more proper than at others. If I am to pray without ceasing, then every second must be suitable for prayer, and there is not one unholy moment in the hour, nor one unaccepted hour in the day, nor one unhallowed day in the year. The Lord has not appointed a certain week for prayer, but all weeks should be weeks of prayer: neither has he said that one hour of the day is more acceptable than another. All time is equally legitimate for supplication, equally holy, equally accepted with God, or else we should not have been told to pray without ceasing. It is good to have your times of prayer; it is good to set apart seasons for special supplication — we have no doubt of that; but we must never allow this to gender the superstition that there is a certain holy hour for prayer in the morning, a specially acceptable hour for prayer in the evening, and a sacred time for prayer at certain seasons of the year. Wherever we seek the Lord with true hearts he is found of us; whenever we cry unto him he heareth us. Every place is hallowed ground to a hallowed heart, and every day is a holy day to a holy man -- C. H. Spurgeon, "Pray Without Ceasing"

"Pray without ceasing..." There is one other thing implied in the text, namely, that a Christian has no right to go into any place where he could not continue to pray. Pray without ceasing? Then I am never to be in a place where I could not pray without ceasing. Hence, many worldly amusements without being particularized may he judged and condemned at once. Certain people believe in ready-made prayers, cut and dried for all occasions, and, at the same time, they believe persons to be regenerated in baptism though their lives are any thing but Christian; ought they not to provide prayers for all circumstances in which these, the dear regenerated but graceless sons and daughters of their church, are found? As, for instance, a pious collect for a young prince or nobleman, who is about to go to a shooting-match, that he may be forgiven for his cruelty towards those poor pigeons who are only badly wounded and made to linger in misery, as also a prayer for a religious and regenerated gentleman who is going to a horserace, and a collect for young persons who have received the grace of confirmation, upon their going to the theater to attend a very questionable play. Could not such special collects be made to order? You revolt at the idea. Well, then, have nothing to do with that which you cannot ask God's blessing upon, have nothing to do with it, for if God cannot bless it, you may depend upon it the devil has cursed it. Anything that is right for you to do you may consecrate with prayer, and let this be a sure gauge and test to you, if you feel that it would be an insult to the majesty of heaven for you to ask the Lord's blessing upon what is proposed to you, then stand clear of the unholy thing. If God doth not approve, neither must you have fellowship therewith -- C. H. Spurgeon, "Pray Without Ceasing"

As the engine never moves until the fire is kindled, so preaching, with all its machinery, perfection, and polish, is at a dead standstill, as far as spiritual results are concerned, till prayer has kindled and created the steam -- E. M. Bounds

That his prayer was nothing else but a sense of the presence of God, his soul being at that time insensible to everything but Divine love: and that when the appointed times of prayer were past, he found no difference, because he still continued with God, praising and blessing Him with all his might, so that he passed his life in continual joy; yet hoped that God would give him somewhat to suffer, when he should grow stronger. That we ought, once for all, heartily to put our whole trust in God, and make a total surrender of ourselves to Him, secure that He would not deceive us -- about Brother Lawrence

Of course the preacher is above all others distinguished as a man of prayer. He prays as an ordinary Christian, else he were a hypocrite. He prays more than ordinary Christians, else he were disqualified for the office he has undertaken. If you as ministers are not very prayerful, you are to be pitied. If you become lax in sacred devotion, not only will you need to be pitied but your people also, and the day cometh in which you shall be ashamed and confounded. All our libraries and studies are mere emptiness compared with our closets. Our seasons of fasting and prayer at the Tabernacle have been high days indeed; never has heaven's gate stood wider; never have our hearts been nearer the central Glory -- Charles Haddon Spurgeon

This perpetual hurry of business and company ruins me in soul if not in body. More solitude and earlier hours! I suspect I have been allotting habitually too little time to religious exercises, as private devotion and religious meditation, Scripture-reading, etc. Hence I am lean and cold and hard. I had better allot two hours or an hour and a half daily. I have been keeping too late hours, and hence have had but a hurried half hour in a morning to myself. Surely the experience of all good men confirms the proposition that without a due measure of private devotions the soul will grow lean. But all may be done through prayer - almighty prayer, I am ready to say - and why not? For that it is almighty is only through the gracious ordination of the God of love and truth. O then, pray, pray, pray! -- William Wilberforce

The apostles laid themselves out in prayer that their saints might be perfect; not that they should have a little relish for the things of God, but that they "might be filled with all the fullness of God." Paul did not rely on his apostolic preaching to secure this end, but "for this cause he bowed his knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Paul's praying carried Paul's converts farther along the highway of sainthood than Paul's preaching did -- E. M. Bounds

The principal cause of my leanness and unfruitfulness is owing to an unaccountable backwardness to pray. I can write or read or converse or hear with a ready heart; but prayer is more spiritual and inward than any of these, and the more spiritual any duty is the more my carnal heart is apt to start from it. Prayer and patience and faith are never disappointed. I have long since learned that if ever I was to be a minister, faith and prayer must make me one. When I can find my heart in frame and liberty for prayer, everything else is comparatively easy -- Richard Newton

Prayer is the way to grace [Heb 4:16] -- Eddie Noragong

...our Lord has received of His Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, that He should bring into our hearts the very Presence of God. Understand that since you are Christ's, the blessed Comforter is yours. He is within you as He was within your Lord, and in proportion as you live in the Spirit. and walk in the Spirit, and open your entire nature to Him, you will find yourself becoming His Presence-chamber, irradiated with the light of His glory. And as you realize that He is in you, you will realize that you are ever in Him. Thus the beloved Apostle wrote, "Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit" ( 1 John 4:13). "All this I know, and yet I fail to realize this marvelous fact of the indwelling of the Spirit in me; how then can I ever realize my indwelling in Him?" It is because your life is so hurried. You do not take time enough for meditation and prayer. The Spirit of God within you and the Presence of God without you cannot be discerned while the senses are occupied with pleasure, or the pulse beats quickly, or the brain is filled with the tread of many hurrying thoughts. It is when water stands that it becomes pellucid, and reveals the pebbly beach below. Be still, and know that God is within thee and around! In the hush of the soul the unseen becomes visible, and the eternal real. The eye dazzled by the sun cannot detect the beauties of its pavilion till it has had time to rid itself of the glare. Let no day pass without its season of silent waiting before God -- F. B. Meyer

Prayer is the nearest approach to God and the highest enjoyment of Him that we are capable of in this life. It is the noblest exercise of the soul, the most exalted use of our best faculties, and the highest imitation of the blessed inhabitants of Heaven. When our hearts are full of God, sending up holy desires to the throne of grace, we are then in our highest state, we are upon the utmost heights of human greatness; we are not before kings and princes, but in the presence and audience of the Lord of all the world, and can be no higher till death is swallowed up in glory -- William Law

Devotion is nothing else but right apprehensions and right affections toward God. All practices therefore that heighten and improve our true apprehensions of God, all ways of life that tend to nourish, raise, and fix our affections upon him, are to be reckoned so many helps and means to fill us with devotion. As prayer is the proper fuel of this holy flame, so we must use all our care and contrivance to give prayer its full power, as by alms, selfdenial, frequent retirements and holy readings, composing forms for ourselves or using the best we can get, adding length of time and observing hours of prayer, changing, improving, and suiting our devotions to the condition of our lives and the state of our hearts -- William Law

...he who neglects to pray alone and in private, however sedulously he frequents public meetings, there gives his prayers to the wind, because he defers more to the opinion of man than to the secret judgment of God -- John Calvin

The fact is, the secret of all ministerial success lies in prevalence at the mercy seat -- C. H. Spurgeon

The closet is the best study. The commentators are good instructors, but the Author himself is far better, and prayer makes a direct appeal to him and enlists him in our cause -- C. H. Spurgeon

Great talents you may never have, but you will do well enough without them if you abound in intercession -- C. H. Spurgeon

The minister who does not earnestly pray over his work must surely be a vain and conceited man. He acts as if he thought himself sufficient of himself, and therefore needed not to appeal to God -- C. H. Spurgeon

We will never know what prayer is for until we learn that life is war. Prayer is not intercom between den and kitchen to order refreshments during half time. Prayer is a walkie talkie for the combat soldier to receive his orders from his commander and chief! -- John Piper

It is appropriate for small groups and Bible classes also to pray for their pastors whenever they meet -- Archie Parrish

Jesus is the pastor’s model. He was exceptionally busy, often having no time even for meals. But he did not sacrifice his prayer time. The demands upon him became a call to devote extra time to prayer. (Mark 6:31-35; Luke 5:15; John 6:15) -- Archie Parrish

I am becoming more and more concerned that "the prayer movement" in America, by increasing focus on seminars, conferences, and the selling of program oriented books and materials, looks more and more like the very den of thieves that displaced God's house of prayer. To your prayer closet, child of God! The Father will meet you there. To your local church family's prayer meeting! Jesus will be there in your midst. Stop talking about prayer: go to God, and Just Pray! -- Eddie Noragong