Transcript for:
The Transformative Power of Prayer

[Music] power through prayer written by em bounds originally published in 1907 under the title preacher and prayer this Audi book presents a revision of the 192 version produced by scroll reader.com the following is a forward by Reverend AC Dixon this little book was given to me by a friend friend I glanced through it and set it aside intending to read it at a more convenient time though I had never heard of the author however it slipped my mind until Christmas when I received another copy as a gift from another friend well I thought there must be something worthwhile in this little book or it wouldn't have been chosen as a gift by two such Discerning individuals so I immediately began reading starting from the first page until I encountered the words man is God's method the church is looking for better methods God is looking for better men that statement alone piqued my interest and I eagerly devoured each chapter with delight and Blessing by the time I finished the last sentence I felt that I had gained a deeper understanding of prayer than when I began reading and even better I felt a stronger inclination to pray every page resonates with the heart and mind of someone who truly knows how to pray understands the significance of those who have mastered prayer and passionately desires that others should likewise learn the art of prayer his desire has been realized to some extent in the case of at least one that is myself who would like to have others share the blessing with him the second forward was written by Albert ah head one of the most pressing needs felt by members of the Church of Christ today is a deeper sense of power in prayer a heightened desire for prayer and a commitment of time to devote to prayer despite the existence of numerous prayer groups and unions it seems that only a few members remain steadfast in their practice of being instant in prayer or praying without ceasing the author of this book offers a clear diagnosis of this issue when he writes never has the cause of God needed perfect illustrations of the possibilities of prayer more than in this age to pray is the greatest thing we can do we must relearn the art of prayer and re-enter the School of prayer the message on prayer contained within these pages is relevant for for preachers teachers evangelists and intercessors alike it appeals to every individual working alongside Christ and ignites a desire for prayer within the various facets of Christian Life this appeal warrants broad circulation among members of prayer circles and prayer unions as well as among all those who long for a Revival of True Religion in our land and a sending forth of ambassadors for Christ to reach Heathen and Muslim populations I wholeheartedly recommend reading this book firmly believing that God has prompted the author to issue a Clarion call to the Church of Christ to arise and pray finally we wanted to include this book recommendation that steuart oot made in a 2024 study for preachers on the 8th of July 19 1961 I bought this book this very one it's been my constant companion ever since but this one's virtually worn out by when I travel I carry this copy of it but amazingly when I arried tonight they're all loose on its own Was the Same Book in a more modern format this is the most important book on preaching you will ever read power through Prayer by e m bounds one of your countrymen yes he was an Episcopal Methodist yes yes he was a chaplain in the Confederate Army yes he saw many hundreds of people come to Christ under his ministry yes he's the greatest writer on prayer probably that we've had in the Christian church and yes he wrote dozens of books and yes this is the best known I use this book not just to reread it I read it but I find that if I read a couple of sentences it I suddenly feel I I want to pray I want to pray so I pray those I use that as a trigger to pray then I read a couple more sentences then I want to pray again and and it it it it moves me to pray so the church is looking for better methods God is looking for better men you I just chosen that as random that makes me that makes me want to be a better man and to put less less trust in in methods and so it goes on the character as well as the fortunes of the Gospel are committed to the preacher there's an intimate connection between the working of the spirit of God and the prayers of the preacher we don't want lots of preachers unless they're praying preachers there's such a thing as unction when you've got unction suddenly your mind seems to be clearer when you've got unction you suddenly you seem to be able to express what's clear in your head you seem to be able to express it more clearly you find you have a directness which you didn't have before you find you have a Simplicity of putting things over that you don't natively have you find there's a spirit of enlargement that you're able to say things more more about a subject than you actually realize that you could say you have a freedom you feel you feel uninhibited it's glorious and it's It's Supernatural it's divine you feel sometimes as one pre preacher put it that you stepped aside and the Lord himself is is preaching the sermon except you are the one that's doing the talking and I think you'll realize that there's far more to preaching than just the ACT preaching is something done by God through a man and that's why I'm particularly glad to be with you men this evening chapter 1 the preacher's character and its influence on the sermon Richard Baxter wrote Recreation for a minister should be like sharpening a mower's blade it should only be used to the extent necessary for his work just as a physician during a plague should not take more relaxation than necessary for his own Survival when so many are relying on his assistance in life or death situations should you not also refrain from excessive Leisure when Sinners are in dire need of help is this the voice of ministerial or Christian Compassion or rather the voice of sensual laziness and diabolical cruelty Richard ceile reflected misusing time harms the Mind during my illnesses I regretted the days I spent confined to my study reading history poetry and monthly journals while it's easy to see another man's idleness what about my own actions maybe I'm doing nothing that helps the spiritual well-being of my congregation it's important to to spend plenty of time in solitude and prayer focusing on promoting the honor and Glory of your master Robert Murray McShan study the universal Holiness of Life your entire Effectiveness depends on this for while your sermons May last only an hour or two your life preaches all week long if Satan can turn a minister into a lover of Praise pleasure or Indulgence he has destroyed your ministry dedicate yourself to prayer and derive your texts thoughts and words from God Luther spent his best three hours to prayer we are always striving sometimes even pushing ourselves to the limit to come up with new strategies new ideas and new structures to help the church grow and to make the gospel more impactful and effective this trend of the day has a tendency to lose sight of the man or sink the man in the plan or organization God's plan is to make much of the man far more of him than of anything else men are God's method the church is looking for better methods God is looking for better men the error that announced and paved the way for Christ was embodied in a man in John there was a man man sent from God whose name was John this shows us God's method of using individuals to advance his gospel for it is God who sent John also the salvation of the world emerges from that son in the manger the man Christ Jesus unto us a child is born unto us a son is given John was dispatched by God and Jesus by God the Father therefore if God appoints individuals for his purposes surely their character holds significant importance when Paul points to the personal Integrity of those who firmly established the gospel in the world he unveils The Secret of their success the honor and effectiveness of the Gospel depend on the character of those who share it when God declares that 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 he declares the necessity of men and his dependence on them as a channel and means through which to exert his power upon the world this crucial truth is often forgotten in our era focused on mechanical advancements neglecting this fact is as damaging to God's work as if the sun were removed from its place leading to Darkness death turmoil and ruin what the church really needs today is not more or better equipment not new organizations or different methods but people whom the Holy Spirit can use people committed to prayer powerful in their prayer life the Holy Spirit does not flow through methods but through men he does not come on Machinery but on men he does not anoint plans but men men of prayer a respected historian once mentioned that personal character has a bigger impact on the transformation of Nations than many scholars or political figures acknowledge this Insight is deeply relevant to the gospel of Christ the behavior and integrity of Christ's followers Define the church reshape countries and alter lives this holds particularly true for those who preach the gospel the fate and reputation of the Gospel rest with the preacher he can either enhance or diminish the message based upon his character the preacher serves as the precious conduit for the flow of divine oil the pipe must not only be golden but open and Flawless that the oil may have a full unhindered unwasted flow the character of the man shapes the preacher it is God who must shape the man in many ways the messenger is even more significant than the message itself the preacher transcends the sermon he delivers it is the preacher who brings the sermon to life just as the quality of a mother's milk depends on her own health and well-being if she is unwell her milk may not provide proper nourishment similarly if a preacher's spiritual condition is compromised the word spoken May lack the necessary depth and Effectiveness the treasure is carried in fragile earn vessels and sometimes the vessel's own nature can affect and even alter what it holds the man's Essence his entire being forms the foundation of his sermon preaching isn't just an act that lasts an hour it's the expression of a lifetime it can take 20 years to craft a single sermon because it takes 20 years to shape the person who delivers it a true sermon is vibrant and Alive as the preacher grows so does his sermon it's compelling because he is compelling the sermon is Holy because the man is Holy the sermon is full of the Divine unction because the man is full of the Divine unction Paul called it my gospel not because he altered it with his unique quirks or claimed it for his own benefit but because the gospel was deeply embedded in Paul's heart and lifeblood it was entrusted to him personally to be expressed through the distinct qualities that made him Paul it was his mission to ignite and Empower this God goel with the passionate energy of his fervent Spirit Paul's sermons what were they where are they skeletons scattered fragments afloat on the sea of inspiration but the man Paul greater than his sermons lives forever in full form feature and stature with his molding hand on the church the preaching is but a voice The Voice in silence dies the text is forgotten the sermon Fades from memory the preacher lives the sermon cannot rise in its life-giving forces above the man dead men give out dead sermons and dead sermons kill everything depends on the spiritual character of the preacher under the Jewish dispensation the high priest had inscribed in jeweled letters on a golden frontlet holy to the Lord so every preacher in Christ's Ministry must be molded into and Mastered by this same holy motto it is a crying shame for the Christian Ministry to fall lower in Holiness of character and Holiness of aim than the Jewish priesthood Jonathan Edwards said I went on with my eager Pursuit after more Holiness and Conformity to Christ the heaven I desired was a heaven of Holiness the gospel of Christ does not move by popular waves it has no self-propagating power it moves as the men who have charge of it move the preacher must impersonate the gospel its Divine most distinctive features must be embodied in him the constraining Power of Love must be in the preacher as a projecting eccentric all commanding self oblivious Force the energy of self-denial must be his being his heart and blood and bones he must walk among people as one of them adorned with humility and steadfast in gentleness possessing the wisdom of a serpent and the innocence of a dove carrying the duties of a servant yet embodying the spirit of a king exuding Noble confidence and Independence combined with the Simplicity and kindness of a child the preacher must throw himself with all the abandon of a perfect self-emptying faith and a self-consuming Zeal into his work for the Salvation of men hearty heroic compassionate Fearless Martyrs must the men be who take hold of and shape a generation for God if they be timid time servers Place Seekers if they be men Pleasers or men fearers if their faith has a weak hold on God or his word if their denial be broken by any phase of self or the world they cannot take hold of the church nor the world for God the preachers sharpest and strongest preaching should be to himself his most difficult delicate laborious and thorough work must be with himself the training of the TW was the great diff ult and enduring work of Christ preachers are not sermon makers but men makers and Saint makers and he only is well trained for this business who has made himself a man and a saint it is not great talents or great learning or great preachers that God needs but men great in Holiness great in faith great in love great in Fidelity Greatful God men always preaching by holy sermons in the Pulpit by byy holy lives out of it these can mold a generation for God this was the way the early Christians were shaped they were individuals of strong character embodying the Divine model of preaching courageous robust disciplined and devout for them preaching was a deeply committed and challenging task involving self-sacrifice and serious dedication they devoted themselves to their mission in a manner that made a significant impact on their own time and laid the groundwork for nurturing future Generations in faith 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 received 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 pull pit 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 advance God's cause In This World chapter 2 total death to self and surrender to God William Penn wrote The Following about George Fox however his greatest strength was in prayer the depth and intensity of his Spirit the respect and seriousness in his Manner and actions and the concise yet profound nature of his words often left even those who did not know him in awe while providing Comfort to those who did the most profound and moving experience I have ever witnessed was his way of praying and truly it was a testimony he knew and lived nearer to the Lord than other men for they that know the Lord most will see most reason to approach god with reverence and fear even the noblest virtues when slightly Twisted can produce the most bitter results much like the sweetest fruits turning sour power the sun vital for life can cause fatal Sun Strokes similarly preaching is meant to nourish spiritual life but it can also do harm if misapplied a preacher has great influence with the power to open or close the door preaching as God's appointed means for developing spiritual life can greatly benefit when done correctly however its negative impact can be devastating when mismanaged it's easy to lead astray if the guide is careless or the environment harmful just as a fortress can fall if its Guardians fail or its supplies are compromised given these significant powers and the high stakes of such responsibilities it would be unusual if the devil did not attempt to undermine both the preacher and their preaching in light of these challenges Paul's reflective question who is sufficient for these things is always relevant and never out of order Paul States our sufficiency is from God who has made us competent Ministers of the New Covenant not of the letter but of the spirit for the letter kills but the spirit gives life true Ministry is shaped and empowered by God the Holy Spirit anoints the preacher with power fills his heart with it its fruits and energizes both the man and his message his preaching brings life revives like the spring enlivens like the resurrection warms like the summer and enriches like the Autumn the life-giving preacher is a man of God constantly thirsting for God relentlessly pursuing him and wholly focused on God empowered by God's spirit he has overcome Earthly desires and worldly influences his ministry flows generously like a river that brings life wherever it goes preaching that lacks spirituality fails to bring life because its power does not come from God instead it draws its energy and excitement from lesser sources this type of preaching and the preacher responsible for it lack evidence of the spirit's presence while it may stir up certain forces these are not spiritual in nature they may seem similar to spiritual forces but they are actually just Shadows imitations without any real substance although they might appear Lively this is only an illusion they lack true spiritual Vitality preaching that fails to bring life focuses merely on the text precise and structured though it may be but it remains just that text it's like a dry husk an empty shell lacking in life the words may hold the seed of life within them but they miss the Reviving breath of spring necessary to stir that life into being these words are like seeds in Winter hard and cold incapable of thawing or sprouting such preaching delivers truth yet even Divine truth cannot enliven without the spirit's power behind it all of God's forces must energize the truth without the quickening touch of God's spirit truth can be as stifling or even more so than falsehood it might be pure truth yet without the spirit its effect is harmful what should be light turns to Darkness its intended life-giving message becomes a conduit of death the letter preaching is unction neither mellowed nor oil by the spirit there may be tears but tears cannot run God's Machinery tears may be but Summer's breath on a snow covered iceberg nothing but surface slush feelings and earnestness there may be but it is the emotion of the actor and the earnestness of the attorney the preacher may feel from the kindling of his own Sparks be eloquent over his own exeresis Earnest in Del delivering the product of his own brain the professor May usurp the place and imitate the fire of the Apostle brains and nerves may serve the place and Fain the work of God's spirit and by these forces the letter May glow and Sparkle like an illumined text but the glow and Sparkle will be as Barren of life as the field sewn with pearls the destructive element in the sermon goes deeper than the words the presentation or even the occasion it resides within the preacher himself despite his adherence to Orthodoxy and his personal virtues like honesty and earnestness he lacks the essential life-giving Force the shortfall is not due to his external actions but stems from a deeper place within the Inner Man the very core of his being has not completely broken down and surrendered to God as a result his inner life does not act as a Broad Channel through which God's power and message can flow freely in a way that's often not apparent even to the individual the self has taken precedence over God in the most sacred spaces unbeknownst to him something within acting as a barrier to spirituality has come into contact with his innermost self stopping the flow of divine energy his inner being has never felt its thorough spiritual bankruptcy its utter powerlessness he has never learned to cry out with an ineffable Cry of self- Despair and self- helplessness till God's power and God's Fire come in and fill purify and Empower in a harmful form self-esteem or self-reliance has desecrated and Dishonored the temple that ought to be revered and reserved for God lifegiving preaching costs the preacher Much Death to self crucifixion to the world the travail of his own soul crucified preaching only can give life crucified preaching can come only from a crucified Man chapter 3 the preaching that kills Bishop mckendry recorded during this period of suffering I was compelled to reflect on my life in light of Eternity more deeply than I had while enjoying good health this reflection especially on my duties towards others as a person a Christian minister and a church officer left me feeling content with myself according to my conscience however when I considered my relationship with my redeemer and savior I saw things differently my gratitude and loving obedience fell short of what I owed for his acts of redemption preservation and support throughout the various seasons of life from childhood to old age the realization of my lukewarm love for him Who Loved Me First and has done so much for me overwhelmed and bewildered me to further acknowledge my shortcomings I recognized that I had not only failed to fully embrace the grace bestowed upon me as was both my duty and privilege but also that I had allowed my initial Zeal and love to wne amidst my preoccupations and efforts this Revelation left me dismayed and humbled I sought Mercy recommitted myself and vowed to earnestly strive and dedicate myself holy to the Lord without reservation the preaching that kills can be and often is rooted in Orthodoxy strictly adhering to Doctrine without deviation we love Orthodoxy it is good it is the best it is the clean clear-cut teaching of God's word the victories of Truth over falsehood and the defenses built by faith against the overwhelming tides of Doubt whether they're sincere or careless however even the most transparent and firm Orthodoxy can end up being just a set of well-defined well-named and thoroughly learned doctrines the very doctrines that despite their Clarity and intent can lead to spiritual lifelessness nothing is so dead as a dead Orthodoxy too dead to speculate too dead to think to study or to pray the preaching that kills may have insight and grasp of principles may be scholarly and critical in taste may have all the manuche of the observation and grammar of the letter may be able to trim the letter into its perfect pattern and illumin it as Plato and Cicero may be illumined may study it as a lawyer studies his textbooks to form his brief or to defend his case and yet be like a frost a killing Frost letter preaching may be eloquent decorated with poet and persuasive speech sprinkled with prayer spiced with sensation illumined by genius and yet these be but the massive or simple costly mountings the rare and beautiful flowers which coffin the corpse the preaching which kills may be without scholarship unmarked by any freshness of thought or feeling clothed in tasteless generalities or dull Specialties with style irregular messy savoring neither of closet nor of study graced neither by thought expression nor prayer under such preaching how wide and utter the Desolation how profound the spiritual death this letter preaching deals with the surface and Shadow of things and not the things themselves it does not penetrate the inner part it has no deep insight into no strong grasp of the hid life of God's word while it may seem genuine from the outside the exterior is merely a shell that needs to be cracked open to reveal the essence within the appearance might be appealing and in style yet this alure does not draw one closer to God nor is the trend aligned with Heavenly values the failure is in the preacher God has not made him he has never been in the hands of God like clay in the hands of the Potter he has been busy about the sermon its thought and finish its drawing and impressive forces but the Deep things of God have never been sought studied fathomed experienced by him he has never stood Before the Throne high and lifted up never heard the sarap him song never seen the vision nor felt the rush of that awful Holiness and cried out out in utter abandon and despair under the sense of weakness and guilt and had his life renewed his heart touched purged set Ablaze by a burning Ember from God's altar his ministry May draw people to him to the church to the form and ceremony but no true drawings to God no Sweet Holy Divine communion induced the church has been decorated but not strengthed Ed satisfied but not made holy life is diminished a coldness touches the warmth of Summer the ground is hardened what should be the vibrant city of our God turns into a city of Silence the church resembles a graveyard not a Force for good in battle expressions of praise and prayer are suppressed worship has lost its vitality and is dead both the preacher and their messages have inadvertently supported sin rather than promoting Holiness leading more souls away from heaven and towards hell 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 lifegiving forces a preacher who neglects prayer as a core aspect of his character diminishes es the unique life-giving force of his sermons while routine formulaic prayers persist such practices only contribute to making sermons lifeless this kind of mechanical praying drains the Vitality from both preaching and prayer itself the lackluster devotion and Casual disrespectful approach to prayer seen in congregations can often be traced back to this superficial form of prayer from the pulpit it in many churches the prayers offered are lengthy rambling uninspired and devoid of real substance without unction or heart they fall like a killing frost on all The Graces of worship death dealing prayers they are every trace of devotion has perished under their breath the more dead they are the longer they grow a call is necessary for short genuine heartfelt prayers Guided by the Holy Spirit and delivered directly ardently and simply from the pulpit establishing a school dedicated to teaching preachers how to pray in a manner that aligns with God's expectations could enhance true piety worship and preaching more significantly than all theological schools combined stop pause consider where are we what are we doing preaching to kill praying to kill no we are praying to God the great God the maker of all Worlds the judge of all men what reverence what Simplicity what sincerity what truth in the inward Parts is demanded how real we must be how hearty prayer to God is the noblest exercise the loftiest effort of man the most real thing shall we not discard forever a cursed preaching that kills and prayer that kills and do the real thing the mightiest thing prayerful praying life creating preaching bring the mightiest Force to bear on Heaven and Earth and draw on God's exhaustless and open treasure for the need and beggar of Man chapter 4 the transformative power of Prayer in preaching and Ministry car's Brotherhood written in saror India recorded the following let us often look at Brainard in the woods of America pouring out his very Soul before God for the perishing Heathen without whose salvation nothing could make him happy prayer secret fervent believing prayer lies at the root of all personal godliness a competent knowledge of the language where a missionary lives a mild and winning temper a heart given up to God in closet religion these These are the attainments which more than all knowledge or all other gifts will fit us to become the instruments of God in the great work of human redemption in Ministry we see two extreme Tendencies the first involves isolating oneself from interaction with others monks and Hermits exemplified this approach seeking Solitude from society to be close closer to God however this method was not successful our connection with God is truly meaningful only when we share its invaluable benefits with others today the focus of both preachers and the public is not primarily on God at all our desires tend to lie elsewhere as for the preachers we shut ourselves to our study we become students bookworms Bible worms sermon makers noted for literature thought and sermons but the people and God where are they out of heart out of mind preachers who are great thinkers great students must also be the greatest in prayer or else they will be the greatest of backsliders Heartless professionals rationalistic less than the least of preachers in God's estimate the second extreme tendency is to make the ministry entirely focused on popular appeal the minister becomes not a servant of God but rather a figure deeply entangled in worldly Affairs and public opinion he prays not out of a sense of mission to the people if he can stir the crowd spark an interest or create excitement around religion and church activities he feels accomplished his personal relation to God is no factor in his work prayer has little or no place in his plans the disaster and ruin of of such a Ministry cannot be computed by any standard metrics the true effectiveness of a Preacher his genuine ability to do good his real productivity and his loyalty to God and Humanity for both this life and the next is directly proportional to his commitment to prayer for himself and for his congregation it is impossible for a preacher to maintain a spirit in tune with the Divine Essence of his Noble calling without dedicating significant time to prayer it's a grave error to believe that through sheer dedication and diligent adherence to the duties and routines of ministry a preacher can maintain his spiritual Readiness and vigor the process of crafting sermons despite being an intense and demanding task whether seen as an art a duty a challenge or a joy can become all consuming and lead to a hardening of the heart this happens especially when prayer is neglected causing a distancing from God just as a scientist might lose sight of God amidst the wonders of nature so too can a preacher lose connection with God in the depths of sermon preparation prayer rejuvenates the preacher's heart aligning it closely with God and fostering empathy for the congregation it transforms the ministry lifting it beyond the cold formalities of a mere job prayer enriches daily tasks and ensures that every aspect of the ministry operates smoothly and effectively infused with a Divine unction Mr Spurgeon says certainly a preacher is recognized foremost as a person devoted to prayer like any faithful Christian he prays for without prayer he would be living a contradiction yet he must engage in prayer even more deeply than the average believer to fulfill the responsibilities of his role if ministers do not prioritize prayer they deserve sympathy should you as a minister neglect your spiritual practices it's not just you who suffers but your congregation as well a time will come when such neglect leads to profound regret and embarrassment our libraries and study rooms cannot compare to the value of our private at prayer closets our seasons of fasting and prayer at the Tabernacle have been high days indeed never has Heaven's Gat stood wider never have our hearts been nearer the central Glory the type of prayer that underpins a truly prayerful Ministry isn't merely superficial or added in small doses like a flavor enhancer it's fundamental shaping the very core of our being prayer is not a minor task relegated to the sidelines nor is it something done in fleeting moments spared from other duties it demands the best of our time and energy it means prioritizing prayer not letting it be overshadowed by study or ministerial tasks but placing it at the Forefront with other responsibilities enriched and made more effective by it prayer that genuinely influences a Ministry must also shape The Minister's life such prayer isn't a casual or rushed activity but a deep transformative practice it should resonate with the intensity of Jesus's heartfelt pleas and the passionate longing seen in Paul's prayers it needs to burn within us as fervently as James's effective fervent prayer capable of inciting profound spiritual Transformations when offered before for God this level of prayerful commitment is what gives direction to our character and power to our ministry prayer isn't merely a small habit developed in childhood nor is it a brief moment of Grace quickly recited before a meal it's a profound Endeavor that occupies a significant place in our most Earnest years it demands more of our time and dedication than the longest meals or the most lavish celebrations the character of our praying will determine the character of our preaching light praying will make light preaching prayer makes preaching strong gives it unction and makes it stick in every Ministry weighty for good prayer has always been a serious business the preacher must be preeminently a man of prayer his heart must graduate in the School of prayer in the School of prayer only can the heart learn to preach no learning can make up for the failure to pray no earnestness no diligence no study no gifts will supply its lack 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 More Than This prayerless words in the pulpit and out of it are deadening words chapter 5 igniting the sermon through prayer Sir Thomas buckon said you know the value of prayer it is precious beyond all price never never neglect it and Edward pacon said prayer is the first thing the second thing the third thing necessary to a minister pray then my dear brother pray pray pray prayer must be a prominent and everpresent force in the life of a preacher in their study and in their Pulpit it should not play a secondary role or simply serve as a surface coating rather it must deeply color and influence every aspect of their Ministry the preacher is blessed with the opportunity to spend all night in prayer with his Lord to cultivate a discipline of self-denying prayer the preacher is encouraged to follow the example of his master who rising up well Before Dawn went out to a secluded place to pray the preacher study ought to be a closet a bethl an altar a vision and a ladder that every thought might ascend heavenward before it goes forth to the people that every part of the sermon might be centered by the air of heaven and made serious because God was in the study just as an engine remains motionless until the fire ignites to create steam preaching regardless of its sophistication precision and refinement remains ineffective in achieving spiritual impact until prayer ignites the Soul's fervor the texture finess and strength of the sermon are as so much rubbish unless the mighty impulse of prayer is in it through it and behind it the preacher must by prayer put God in the sermon the preacher must by prayer move God toward the people before he can move the people to God by his words the preacher must have had an audience and ready access to God before he can have access to the people an open way to God for the preacher is the shest Pledge of an open way to the people it's crucial to emphasize that prayer when reduced to Mere routine or carried out in a professional manner loses its Essence and becomes lifeless and ineffective this kind of mechanical praying Bears no relation to the heartfelt sincere prayer we advocate for we emphasize genuine prayer which ignites and enlivens every noble aspect of the preacher's character a prayer that arises from a vital Unity with Christ and the abundance of the Holy Spirit emerging from the profound overflowing Wellsprings of tender compassion unwavering concern for Humanity's Eternal welfare an intense fervor for God's glory a profound conviction of the preacher's challenging and delicate task and the indispensable requirement of God's utmost assistance praying grounded on these solemn and profound convictions is the only true praying preaching backed by such praying is the only preaching that swws the seeds of eternal life in human hearts and builds men up for heaven it is true that there may be popular preaching Pleasant preaching entertaining preaching preaching of much intellectual literary and brainy force with its measure and form of good with little or no praying but the preaching which secures God's end in preaching must be born of prayer from text to the opening remarks delivered with the energy and spirit of prayer followed and made to germinate and kept in vital force in the hearts of the hearers by the preachers prayers long after the occasion has passed we may find excuses for the spiritual inadequacy of our preaching in various ways but the genuine root cause lies in in the absence of fervent prayer for God's presence manifested through the power of the Holy Spirit there are countless preachers who can deliver eloquent sermons according to their style but their impact is fleeting and fails to penetrate the spiritual Realms where the intense battle between God and Satan Heaven and Hell rages this is because they are not empowered to be spiritually militant and Victorious through prayer the preachers who achieve significant results for God are those who have first prevailed in their prayers with God before daring to plead with men the preachers who are the mightiest in their closets with God are the mightiest in their pulpits with men preachers are human beings susceptible to being caught up in the powerful currents of human Affairs prayer is spiritual labor and human nature tends to avoid taxing spiritual Endeavors Human Nature prefers to sail toward Heaven on a gentle breeze and smooth Seas prayer is humbling work it abases intellect and pride crucifies vain glory and signals our spiritual bankruptcy and all these are hard for Flesh and Blood to Bear it is easier not to pray than to Bear them so we come to one of the crying evils of these times maybe Of All Times little or no praying of these these two evils perhaps little praying is worse than no praying little praying is a kind of make believe a salve for the conscience a farce and a delusion the low value we place on prayer is evident from the limited time we allocate to it the time dedicated to Prayer by the typical preacher hardly registers in the overall daily schedule often the preacher's only prayer occurs at his bedside dressed for bed and soon to be in it perhaps with a few hurried moments of prayer before dressing in the morning how feeble Vain and little is such praying compared with the time and energy devoted to praying by holy men in and out of the Bible how poor and mean our petty childish praying is beside the habits of the true men of God in all ages to men who think praying their main business and devote time to it according to this High estimate of importance does God commit the keys of his kingdom and by them does he work his spiritual wonders in this world great praying is the sign and seal of God's great leaders and the earnest of the Conquering forces with which God will Crown their labors the preacher is commissioned to pray as well as to preach his mission is Inc complete if he does not do both well the preacher may speak with all the eloquence of men and of angels but unless he can pray with a faith which draws all heaven to his Aid his preaching will be as sounding brass or a tinkling symbol for permanent god-honoring Soul Saving uses chapter six how prayer shapes Holiness in Ministry Richard Newton said the main reason for my spiritual dryness and lack of productivity is due to an inexplicable reluctance 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 it's widely recognized as a spiritual truth that in every genuinely successful Ministry prayer plays a pivotal and dominating role this is clear and dominant both in the life of the preacher and in the profound spirituality of his work a Ministry may be a very thoughtful Ministry without prayer the preacher May secure Fame and popularity without prayer the whole Machinery of the preacher's life and work may be run without the oil of prayer or with scarcely enough to grease one Cog but no Ministry can be a spiritual one securing Holiness in the preacher and in his people without prayer being made an evident and controlling for course the preacher that prays indeed puts God into the work God's presence in the preacher's work isn't automatic or based on general principles it is invited through prayer and specific earnestness that God will be found of us on the day that we seek him with a whole heart is as true of the preacher as of the penitent a prayerful Ministry is the only Ministry that brings the preacher into sympathy with the people prayer essentially unites to the human as it does to the Divine a prayerful Ministry is the only Ministry qualified for the high offices and responsibilities of the preacher education knowledge books Theology and preaching alone cannot create a preacher prayer is what truly makes one the apostles mandate to preach remained incomplete until it was empowered by the Pentecost brought about by by prayer a minister devoted to prayer transcends the realm of popularity the realm of mere worldly matters of Pulpit appeal they move beyond the roles of church organizer or leader into a more profound and Powerful sphere the realm of the spiritual Holiness is the outcome of his efforts transformed hearts and lives showcase the authenticity and depth of his work God is with him his ministry doesn't rely on worldly or superficial principles he is profoundly knowledgeable and deeply educated in God's ways his extended intense conversations with God about his congregation and the fervor of his Earnest Soul have established him as a leader in spiritual matters the cold Detachment often found in professionals has long been melted by the fervor of his prayer The Superficial results of many a Ministry the deadness of others are to be found in the lack of praying no Ministry can succeed without much praying and this praying must be fundamental ever abiding ever increasing the text the sermon should be the result of prayer the study should be bathed in prayer all its duties impregnated with prayer its whole Spirit the spirit of prayer I am sorry that I have prayed so little was the deathbed regret of one of God's chosen ones a sad and remorseful regret for a preacher I want a life of Greater deeper truer prayer said the late Archbishop Tate so may we all say and may we all secure this God's true preachers have been distinguished by one great feature they were men of Prayer differing often in many things they have always had a Common Center they may have started from different points and traveled by different roads but they converged to one point they were one in prayer God to them was the center of Attraction and prayer was the path that led to God these individuals didn't pray just occasionally or at certain times by chance their prayers were was so integral that they molded their very characters they prayed in a way that impacted both their own lives and those of others shaping the history of the church and influencing the era they dedicated much time to prayer not because they were watching the time but because they found prayer to be so profound and compelling that they hardly wanted to stop prayer was to them what it was to Paul all a striving with Earnest effort of Soul what it was to Jacob a wrestling and prevailing what it was to Christ strong crying and tears they consistently prayed with all kinds of prayers and requests in the spirit staying alert with all perseverance in their prayers the effectual fervent prayer has been the mightiest weapon of God's mightiest soldiers the account of Elijah highlighting that he was a person with feelings just like ours and he prayed fervently that it would not rain and it did not rain on the land for 3 years and 6 months then he prayed again and the heavens gave rain and the Earth yielded its crops encompasses all prophets and preachers who have impacted their generation for God it shows the instrument by which they worked their Wonders by fervent prayer chapter 7 the power of prolonged prayer Canon Len wrote The Great Masters and teachers in Christian doctrine have always found in prayer their highest source of Illumination not to go beyond the limits of the English church it is recorded of Bishop andreu's that he spent 5 hours hours daily on his knees the greatest practical resolves that have enriched and beautified human life in Christian times have been arrived at in prayer while it's true that private prayers often need to be brief and public prayers should generally be concise and focused there's a special value in spontaneous prayers however when it comes to our private moments with God spend ending significant time in prayer is crucial to its impact the key to effective praying lies in the hours devoted to God prayers that wield a powerful influence are either directly or indirectly the result of prolonged communion with God our shorter prayers gain their effectiveness from the longer periods of prayer that lay the foundation the ability to offer a brief impactful prayer comes from having engaged deeply with God over extended times Jacob's Triumph of faith for example was only possible through his entire night of wrestling in prayer building a relationship with God takes time he doesn't Rush His blessings to those who are in a hurry the secret to truly knowing god and having influence with him is spending considerable time alone with him he responds to the Persistence of a faith that seeks to understand him the most profound gifts are reserved for those who show their yearning and appreciation through both the intensity and consistency of their pleas Jesus Christ Our prime example often spent entire nights in prayer he habitually dedicated much time to prayer establishing specific places for his prayers many Len prayer sessions contributed to his life and character the Apostle Paul is described as praying day and night indicating the significant time he allocated to prayer even when it meant sacrificing other important activities Daniel 2 made it a priority to pray three times a day setting aside vital tasks to do so David's practice of praying in the morning noon and night likely included extended times of prayer on many occasions though the Bible doesn't detail the exact duration of these Saints prayers the evidence suggests they devoted substantial periods to prayer often engaging in lengthy sessions as part of their routine we would not have anyone 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 ours Faith then our faith is of a feeble and surface type the men who have most fully Illustrated Christ in their character and have most powerfully affected the world for him have been men who spent so much time with God as to make it a notable feature of their lives Charles Simeon committed the early hours from 4: to 8: each morning to God John Wesley set aside two hours for prayer each day starting at 4: in the morning someone close to Wesley observed he considered prayer to be his primary task Above All Else and I've seen him emerge from his prayer time with a peace on his face that was almost radiant John Fletcher's prayers were so fervent that the walls of his room were marked by his breath sometimes he prayed throughout the night and was consistently Earnest in his prayers his entire existence was characterized by prayer he famously said I wouldn't even rise from my seat without elevating my heart to God and he greeted friends with the question do I meet you praying Martin Luther remarked if I don't spend two hours in prayer each morning the devil prevails during the day I have so much to do that I cannot proceed without spending 3 hours in prayer he lived by the motto he who has prayed well has studied well Archbishop Leighton was so much alone with God that he seemed to be in Perpetual meditation prayer and praise were his business and his pleasure says his biographer Bishop Ken was so much with God that his soul was said to be God enamored he was with God before the Clock Struck three every morning Bishop Asbury said I propose to rise at 4:00 as often as I can and spend 2 hours in prayer and meditation Samuel Rutherford the fragrance of whose piety is still Rich Rose at 3: in the morning to meet God In Prayer Joseph alen arose at 4:00 for his business of praying till 8 if he heard other Tradesmen plying their business before he was up he would exclaim oh how this shames me does not my master to deserve more than theirs he who has learned this trade well draws at will on sight and with the acceptance of Heaven's unfailing bank one of the holiest and most gifted of Scottish preachers says I ought to spend the best hours in communion with God is my noblest and most fruitful employment and is not to be thrust into a corner the morning hours from 6: to 8: are the most uninterrupted and should be thus employed after tea is my best hour and that should be solemnly dedicated to God I ought not to give up the good old habit of prayer before going to bed but guard must be kept against sleep when I awake in the night I ought to rise and pray a little time after breakfast might be given to intercession this was the praying plan of Robert mcshain the fervent prayer of the historic Methodist group serve as a humbling reminder to us from 4: or 5: in the morning private prayer from 5: to 6: in the evening private prayer John Welch the holy and remarkable Scottish preacher considered the day ills spent if he did not dedicate eight or 10 hours to prayer he kept a plaid nearby so he could wrap himself when he arose to pray at night his wife would complain upon finding him lying on the ground weeping to which he would reply oh woman I have the souls of 3,000 to answer for and I know not how it is with many of them chapter 8 the first hours starting your day with God cerid said the act of praying is the very highest energy of which the human mind is capable praying that is with the total concentration of the faculties the great mass of worldly men and of learned men are absolutely incapable of prayer Bishop Wilson says in Henry Martin's journal the spirit of prayer the time he devoted to the duty and his fervor in it are the first things which strike me Edward peson wore the hardwood boards into grooves where his knees pressed so often and so long his biographer says his continuing instant in prayer be his circumstances what they might is the most noticeable fact in his history and points out the duty of all who would rival his Eminence to his Ardent and persevering prayers must no doubt be ascribed in a great measure his distinguished and almost uninterrupted Ed success Marque durti who held Christ in the highest regard directed his servant to alert him at the conclusion of 30 minutes of prayer when the appointed time came the servant caught sight of his face through a narrow Gap it was marked with such Holiness that he hated to arouse him his lips were moving but he was perfectly silent he waited until 3 half hours had passed then he called to him when he arose from his knees saying that the half hour was so short when he was communing with Christ Brainard said I love to be alone in my Cottage where I can spend much time in prayer William Bramwell is famous in Methodist history for personal Holiness and for his wonderful success in preaching and for The Marvelous answers to his prayers for hours at a time he would pray he almost lived on his knees he went over his preaching rotation like a flame of fire the fire was kindled by the time he spent in prayer he often spent as much as 4 hours in a single session of Prayer in retirement Bishop andwas spent the greatest part of five hours every day in prayer and devotion Sir Henry havlock always spent the first two hours of each day alone with God if the encampment was struck at 6:00 a.m. he would rise at 4: Earl Ken Rose daily at 6:00 to secure an hour and a half for the study of the Bible and for prayer before conducting Family Worship at a quarter to 8 Dr judson's success in God's work is attributable to the fact that he gave much time to prayer he says on this point try to organize your daily tasks if possible so that you can 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 thy 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 thee at the same work let the hours of 9 12 3 6 and 9 at night witness the same be Resolute in his cause make all practicable sacrifices to maintain it consider that thy time is short and that business and Company must not be allowed to Rob thee of thy God impossible say we fanatical directions but Dr Judson changed an empire for Christ and laid the foundations of God's kingdom with imperishable granite in the heart of Burma he was successful one of the few men who mightily impressed the world for Christ numerous individuals with more Talent genius and education have failed to leave a lasting mark their spiritual efforts are as fleeting as footprints in the sand in contrast his work is etched into the hardest Stone known enduring and profound the key to its lasting impact lies in his dedication to prayer he kept the iron red heart with prayer and God's skill fashioned it with enduring power 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 yes Canon Len's perspective resonates with many who truly Eng engage in prayer He suggests that prayer is far from a mechanical habit or a passive sentiment but rather a profound engagement with an unseen power he draws parallels to the struggles of biblical figures like Jacob and St Paul emphasizing the intensity and importunity required in successful prayer Len highlights the necessity of fervor perseverance and earnestness in approaching prayer viewing it as a labor that demands dedication and preparation this view counters the notion that prayer is merely a superficial or rote exercise instead portraying it as a dynamic and transformative act that requires commitment and spiritual effort chapter n rise early get out of bed and seek the Lord Robert Murray mcshain I ought to pray before seeing anyone often when I sleep long or meet with others early it is 11 or 12:00 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 the men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees he who frit away the early morning its opportunity and freshness in other Pursuits than seeking God will make poor Headway seeking him the rest of the day if God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning he will be in the last place the remainder of the day behind this early rising and early praying is the Ardent desire which presses us into this Pursuit after God more morning listlessness is the index to a listless heart the heart which is behindhand in seeking God in the morning has lost its relish for God David's heart was Ardent after God he hungered and thirsted after God and so he sought God early before daylight the bed and sleep could not chain his soul in its eagerness after God Christ longed for communion with God and so Rising a great while before day he would go out into the mountain to pray the disciples when fully awake and ashamed of their Indulgence would know where to find him we might go through the list of men who have mightily impressed the world for God and we would find them early after God a desire for God which cannot break the chains of sleep is a weak thing and will do but little good for God after it has indulged itself fully the desire for God that keeps so far behind the devil and the world at the beginning of the day will never catch up it is not simply the getting up that puts men to the front and makes them Captain Generals in God's hosts but it is the Ardent desire which stirs and breaks all self-indulgent chains but the getting up gives vent increase and strength to the desire had they remained in bed indulging themselves this desire would have been extinguished the desire aroused them and put them on the stretch for God and this heeding and acting on the call gave their faith its grasp on God and gave to their hearts the sweetest and fullest revelation of God and this strength of faith and fullness of Revelation made them saints by Eminence and the Halo of their sainthood has come down to us and we have Ed on the enjoyment of their conquests but we take our fill in enjoyment and not in Productions we build their tombs and write their epitaphs but are careful not to follow their examples we need a generation of preachers who seek God and seek him early who give the freshness and do of effort to God and secure in return the freshness and fullness of his power that he may be as the do to them full of gladness and strength through all the Heat and labor of the day our laziness after God is our crying sin the children of this world are far wiser than we they are at it early and late we do not seek God with ardor and diligence no man gets God who does not follow hard after him and no soul follows hard after God who is not after him in the early morning chapter 10 advancing Holiness in an age of challenge Richard ceile declared there is a manifest want of spiritual influence on the ministry of the present day I feel it in my own case and I see it in that of others I am afraid there is too much of a low managing contriving maneuvering temper of Mind among us we are laying ourselves out more than is expedient to meet one man's taste and another man's prejudices the ministry is a grand and holy Affair and it should find in us a simple habit of spirit and a holy but humble indifference to all consequences the leading defect in Christian ministers is want of a devotional habit now more than ever there is a critical need for individuals of remarkable Holiness and even more so for preachers devoted to God with all their heart the world is advancing rapidly Satan maintains his grip and influence over the world striving to turn all its developments towards his own purposes in response our faith must bring forth its finest efforts and showcase its most compelling and perfect examples we must strive to ensure that modernday Holiness is driven by the highest ideals and the broadest potential all through the power of the spirit Paul lived on his knees that the Ephesian Church might measure the Heights breadths and depths of an unmeasurable saintliness and be filled with all the fullness of God epaphus laid himself out with the exhaustive toil and strenuous conflict of fervent prayer that the colossian church might stand perfect and complete in all the will of God everywhere everything in Apostolic times was on the stretch that the people of God might each and all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ no premium was given to dwarves no encouragement to an old babyhood the babies were to grow the old instead of feebleness and infirmities were to bear fruit in old age and be fat and flourishing the divinest thing in religion is holy men and holy women no amount of money genius or culture can move things for God Holiness energizing the soul the whole man of flame with love with desire for more faith more prayer more Zeal more consecration this is the secret of power these we need and must have and men must be the Incarnation of this God inflamed devotedness God's Advance has been stayed his cause crippled the dishonor of his name stems from their absence of true devotion the highest levels of Genius the most thorough education prestigious positions and revered titles none of these can Propel The Chariot of our God it is a chariot Ablaze requiring equally fiery forces to advance it even the genius of a Milton or the commanding strength of a Leo falls short it is the spirit of a Brainard ignited with passion for God and souls that can move it Brainard Spirit free from any Earthly worldly or selfish motives never allowed anything to diminish the intensity of this powerful all consuming fire prayer is the creator as well as the channel of devotion the spirit of devotion is the spirit of prayer prayer and devotion are united as soul and body are united as life and heart are united there is no real prayer without devotion no devotion without prayer the preacher must be surrendered to God in the holiest devotion he is not a professional man his ministry is not a profession it is a Divine institution a Divine devotion he is devoted to God his aim aspirations ambition are for God and to God and to such prayer is as essential as food is to life above all a preacher must be devoted to God the relationship a preacher has with God stands as the distinguishing Mark and the proof of their Ministry these connections must be transparent undeniable and Beyond question the preacher's devotion cannot be ordinary or superficial if he does not stand out in his spiritual Grace he truly does not stand out at all his preaching isn't just in words it must be evident in his life character and behavior without this depth of piety his sermons regardless of their eloquence or Charm will lack substance they might be as melodious as music or as eloquent as Apollos but their impact will be insubstantial as fleeting as the morning cloud or the early duw Devotion to God there is no substitute for this in the preacher's character and conduct Devotion to a church to specific specific opinions to an organization or to Orthodoxy these are insignificant and misleading and ultimately empty when they become the primary source of inspiration or the driving force behind a calling God must be the mainspring of the preacher's effort The Fountain and Crown of all his toil the name and honor of Jesus Christ the advance of his cause must be all in all the preacher must have no inspiration but the name of Jesus Christ no ambition but to have him glorified no toil but for him for such a preacher prayer becomes the Wellspring of his insights the method of his continuous growth and the measure of his success the constant goal and the sole ambition he should hold dear is to ensure that God is with him never did the cause of God need perfect illust UST ations of the possibilities of prayer more than in this age the power of the Gospel will only be exemplified through ages and individuals committed to deep and Earnest prayer a prayerless age will have but scant models of divine power prayerless hearts will never rise to these Alpine Heights the age may be a better age than the past but there is an infinite distance between the better betterment of an age by the force of an advancing civilization and its betterment by the increase of Holiness and Christ likeness by the energy of prayer the Jews were much better when Christ came than in the ages before it was the Golden Age of their pheric religion their golden religious age crucified Christ never more praying never less praying never more sacrificing is never less sacrifice never less idolatry never more idolatry never more of Temple worship never less of God worship never more of lip service never less of heart service God worshiped by lips whose Hearts and Hands crucified God's son never more of churchgoers never less of saints prayer is the force that molds Saints genuine prayer shapes holy character the presence of authentic Saints is directly correlated with the prevalence of prayer likewise increased prayer leads to the emergence of more genuine Saints chapter 11 a life devoted to prayer the calling of David Brainard Samuel Rutherford said I urge upon you communion with Christ a growing communion there are are curtains to be drawn aside in Christ that we never saw and new foldings of love in him I despair that I shall ever win to the far end of that love there are so many pleas in it therefore dig deep and sweat and labor and take pains for him and set by as much time in the day for him as you can he will be one in the labor over time there have been many dedicated preachers who relied heavily on prayer prayer was a powerful and Central force in their lives their devotion and prayers had a significant impact on the world and on God's work the world has felt their power God has felt and honored their power God's cause has moved mightily and swiftly by their prayers Holiness has Shone out in their characters with a Divine Radiance God found one of the men he was looking for in David Brainard whose work and name have gone into history he was no ordinary man but was capable of shining in any company the peer of the wise and gifted ones well qualified to fill the most attractive pull pits and to labor among the most refined and the cultured who were so anxious to secure him for their Pastor president Edwards Bears testimony that he he was a young man of distinguished talents had extraordinary knowledge of men and things had rare conversational Powers excelled in his knowledge of Theology and was truly for one so young an extraordinary Divine and especially in all matters relating to experimental religion I never knew his equal of his age and standing for clear and accurate Notions of the nature and essence of True Religion his manner in prayer was almost inimitable such as I have very rarely known equaled his learning was very considerable and he had extraordinary gifts for the pulpit no more inspiring story has been recorded in Earthly animals than that of David Brainard no Miracle attests with diviner Force the truth of Christianity than the life and work of such a man alone in the Savage s of America struggling day and night with a mortal disease unschooled in the care of souls having access to the Indians for a large portion of time only through the bungling medium of a pagan interpreter with the word of God in his heart and in his hand his soul fired with a Divine flame a place and time to pour out his soul to God In Prayer he fully established the worship of of God and secured all its gracious results the Native Americans underwent a profound transformation from the depths of ignorance and degraded paganism to becoming devout enlightened Christians every form of Vice was reformed they quickly adopted and acted upon the external practices of Christianity they established family prayer observed the Sabbath with reverence and displayed the inner virtues of their faith with increasing sincerity and vigor the remarkable outcomes witnessed can be traced back to David Brainard himself rather than to external circumstances Brainard was a man wholly devoted to God allowing God's presence to flow through him without hindrance the grace of God faced no barriers or limitations within him his heart was fully open and receptive creating a pathway for God's power to manifest fully thus God's transformative strength could reach even the most desolate and Untamed places turning them into thriving and fertile grounds this illustrates that with the right person one fully aligned with God's will nothing is beyond the realm of possibility for God Brainard lived the life of Holiness and prayer his diary is full and monotonous with a record of his seasons of fasting meditation and retirement the time he spent in private prayer amounted to many hours daily when I return home he said and give myself to meditation prayer and fasting my soul Longs for mortification self-denial humility and divorcement from all things of the world I have nothing to do he said with a Earth but only to labor in it honestly for God I do not desire to live one minute for anything which Earth can afford after this high order did he pray he says feeling somewhat of the sweetness of communion with God and the constraining force of his love and how admirably it captivates the soul and makes all the desires and affections to Center in God I set apart this day for secret fasting and prayer to entreat God to direct and bless me with regard to the great work which I have in view of preaching the gospel and that the Lord would return to me and show me the light of his countenance I had little life and Power in the Forno near the middle of the afternoon God enabled me to wrestle ardently in intercession for my absent friends but just at night the Lord visited me marvelously in prayer I think my soul was never in such Agony before I felt no restraint for the treasures of divine grace were opened to me I wrestled for absent friends for the in gathering of souls for multitudes of poor souls and for many that I thought were the children of God personally in many distant places I was in such Agony from Sun half an hour High to near dark that I was all over wet with sweat but yet it seemed to me I had done nothing oh my dear savior did sweat blood for poor souls I longed for more compassion toward them I felt still in a sweet frame under a sense of divine love and grace and went to bed in such a frame with my heart set on God it was prayer which gave to his life and Ministry their marvelous power the men of Mighty prayer are men of spiritual might prayers never die brainard's whole life was a life of Prayer by day and by night he prayed before preaching and after preaching he prayed through the forest's boundless Solitude his prayers echoed on the Wind on his bed of straw he prayed retiring to the dense and lonely forests he prayed every waking hour every every single day brainer devoted himself to prayer he fasted poured out his heart to God interceded for others and felt a deep communion with the Divine his prayers resonated powerfully with God and God's presence strengthened him mightily even though he is no longer alive his work speaks for him and continues to impact the world his influence will endure until the very end and on that glorious day he will be among the first to be honored Jonathan Edwards says of him his life shows the right way to success in the works of the ministry he sought it as the soldier seeks victory in a Siege or battle or as a man that runs a race for a great prize animated with love to Christ and souls how did he labor always fervently not only in word and Doctrine in public and in private but in prayers by day and night wrestling with God in secret and travailing in birth with unutterable groans and agonies until Christ was formed in the hearts of the people to whom he was sent like a true son of Jacob he persevered in wrestling through all the darkness of the night until the breaking of the day chapter 12 the great need of heart preparation William Penn said for nothing reaches the heart but what is from the hearty or pierces the conscience but what comes from a living conscience Robert Murray McShan wrote in the morning I was more engaged in preparing the head than the heart this has been frequently my error and I have always felt the evil of it especially in prayer reform it then oh Lord enlarge my heart and I shall preach lastly Richard ceile declared a sermon that has more head infused into it than heart will not come home with Effectiveness to the hearers prayer with its diverse and abundant influences enables the mouth to speak truthfully and freely the preacher should be prayed for as prayer shapes them their mouth should be prayed for prayer opens and fills it a Sanctified mouth is cultivated through fervent prayer a courageous mouth is nurtured the same way the church The World God and Heaven owe much to Paul's words his power stemmed from prayer how varied illimitable valuable and helpful prayer is to the preacher in so many ways at so many points in every way one great value is it helps his heart praying makes the preacher a heart preacher prayer puts the preacher's heart into the preacher's sermon prayer puts the preacher's sermon into the preacher's heart the heart defines the preacher those with great hearts are great preachers while individuals with less noble Hearts may still accomplish some good it's an exception while hirelings and strangers might assist the Sheep to some extent it's the Good Shepherd with a good Shepherd's Heart who truly blesses and fulfills the shepherd's role we've prioritized sermon preparation to the extent that we've overlooked The crucial aspect to prepare the heart a prepared heart is far more valuable than a prepared sermon as it naturally leads to a well-prepared sermon countless volumes have been penned detailing the mechanics and Aesthetics of crafting sermons to the point where we've come to believe that this framework is the essence of preaching young preachers are often instructed to focus their efforts on the structure style and elegance of their sermons as if they were mere mechanical or intellectual constructs consequently we've fostered a misguided preference among the audience prioritizing Talent over Grace eloquence over over piety rhetoric over Revelation and reputation and Brilliance over Holiness this trend has led to a loss of the true essence of preaching a decline in preaching Effectiveness a decrease in profound conviction of sin a forfeiture of Rich spiritual experiences and elevated Christian character and a diminishing of the authority to influence consciences and lives that stems from authentic preaching it wouldn't be accurate to claim that preachers study too much in fact some don't study at all While others fail to study sufficiently the issue isn't merely a lack of study but rather a deficiency in cultivating the heart our greatest shortcoming lies not in intellectual Pursuits but in spiritual growth it's not that we possess an excess of knowledge but rather that we don't dedicate enough time to meditating on God God and His word nor do we prioritize vigilance fasting and prayer the heart poses the primary obstacle to our preaching Divine truths Laden with meaning encounter resistance in our hearts consequently they fail to transmit their power falling flat and ineffective can ambition which craves praise and position effectively preach the gospel of him who willingly took on the form of a servant and humbled himself can the proud vain or egotistical effectively convey the message of him who exemplified meekness and humility can those prone to anger selfishness or worldly Pursuits effectively communicate a Doctrine rooted in patience selflessness and tenderness which requires separation from hostility and crucifixion to worldly desires can those motivated solely by personal gain devoid of compassion sincerely preach a gospel that mandates sacrificial love as demonstrated by the shepherd laying down his life for his sheep can the greedy who prioritize wealth and Status truly preach the gospel until they've renounced their worldly desires and can Echo the sentiments of West L who regarded Earthly riches as worthless compared to the riches of Christ's Grace God's revelation doesn't require the Brilliance of human intellect the refinement of human culture or the eloquence of human thought to embellish or Advocate it instead it demands the Simplicity teachability humility and Faith of a childlike heart it was Paul's willingness to surrender his intellect and genius to Divine and spiritual influences that elevated him above all other Apostles similarly it was this surrender that endowed Wesley with his extraordinary power and anchored his Endeavors in the annals of human history our primary need is heart preparation Luther famously stated he who has prayed well has studied well this doesn't imply that intellect should be dis regarded but rather that those who cultivate their hearts will use their intellects most effectively while preachers should certainly be students their foremost study should be the Bible and the one who diligently guards their heart will understand it best understanding human nature is important for preachers but it's those who have delved into the depth of their own Hearts who will truly comprehend human intricacies while preaching flows through the Mind its source is the heart you can expand and deepen the channel but neglecting the Purity and depth of the heart will result in a dry or tainted Channel almost anyone of average intelligence can preach the gospel but few possess the grace to do so effectively it's those who have wrestled with their own Hearts teaching them humility Faith love truth Mercy sympathy and courage who can convey the rich Treasures of a trained heart through a mature intellect imbued with the power of the Gospel to touch the consciences of their listeners such individuals will be esteemed as the truest and most successful preachers in the eyes of the Lord chapter 13 give me thy heart ber said study not to become a polished preacher Jericho are brought down with Rams horns simply look to Jesus for preaching sustenance what is needed will be provided and what is given will be blessed whether it's a humble barley grain or a nourishing wheat Loaf a crust or a crumb your mouth will flow like a stream or remain sealed like a fountain depending on the condition of your heart avoid engaging in controversy in your preaching conversations or writings preach nothing down but the devil and nothing up but Jesus Christ the heart is not only the seat of our emotions but it is also where transformation and salvation occur intellect alone cannot save genius intellect Brilliance strength and natural ability cannot save the gospel flows through Hearts the most powerful forces are those of the heart the most beautiful qualities are those of the heart Great Hearts shape great characters Divine characters are formed by Great Hearts God is love and there is nothing greater than love nothing greater than God Hearts create heaven heaven is love there is nothing higher or sweeter than Heaven it's the heart not the intellect that makes God's Great preachers the heart plays a crucial role in religion in every aspect the heart must speak from the pulpit and the Heart must listen in the Pew in essence we serve god with our hearts head knowledge holds no value in heaven we believe that one of the serious and most prevalent errors of the modern Pulpit is prioritizing thought over prayer emphasizing the intellect over the heart in sermons big hearts make big preachers good Hearts make good preachers a theological School aimed at nurturing and expanding the heart is the essential requirement of the Gospel the pastor binds his people to him and leads them through his heart while they may admire his talents and be impressed by his abilities the true source of his influence lies in his heart love is his scepter and his heart is the Throne of his power the Good Shepherd gives his life for the Sheep Minds never make Martyrs it is the heart that offers up life for love and loyalty it requires Great courage to be a faithful pastor but only the heart can provide this courage talents and Brilliance May exhibit bravery but it's the talents and Brilliance of the heart not the mind in it's easier to fill the head than it is to prepare the heart crafting a sermon for the mind is simpler than one for the heart it was love that prompted the Son of God to descend from heaven and it is love that will draw people to Heaven what the world truly needs are individuals with compassionate Hearts who can empathize with its suffering console its Sorrows alleviate its misery and ease its pain Christ epitomized The Man of Sorrows because he was foremost the man of compassion give me thy heart is God's call to humanity give me thy heart is Humanity's plea to one another a Ministry driven solely by professionalism lacks heart when financial gain becomes a primary focus in Ministry the heart often takes a backseat we may treat preaching as a job neglecting to to invest our hearts in it those who prioritize self-promotion in their preaching diminish the role of the heart without sewing with sincerity in our study we will never reap a harvest for God the prayer closet is where the heart is truly cultivated we can glean more about preaching and its Essence there than from our libraries Jesus wept stands as the shortest yet most profound verse in the Bible it's the one who goes out weeping not necessarily preaching Grand sermons carrying precious seeds who will return with joy bringing the Harvest with them prayer enhances understanding grants wisdom and enriches the mind the quiet space dedicated to prayer is a perfect place of learning and Sanctuary for the preacher prayer not only clarifies and improves mes our thinking but it also Sparks new ideas and insights in a single hour of heartfelt prayer we can gain more knowledge than from many hours of study this private space contains wisdom not available from any other source it's in prayer that Revelations are unveiled ones that cannot be discovered anywhere else chapter 14 from Wesley's era to today the significance of preaching with unction Charles Spurgeon wrote One invaluable blessing that private prayer bestows upon the ministry is an Indescribable and incomparable Essence an unction from the Holy One if the anointing we carry does not originate from The Lord of hosts we are deceivers as it is only through prayer that we can attain it let us persist in fervent and unwavering supplication allow your fleece to remain on the threshing floor of prayer until it is saturated with the Dew of Heaven Alexander Knox a Christian philosopher during Wesley's era and a close personal friend of Wesley himself as well as someone deeply sympathetic to the wesleyian movement remarked it is strange and lamentable but I firmly believe it to be true that apart from methodists in Methodist clergy there is not much engaging preaching in England the clergy unfortunately have largely lost this skill I believe that within the great laws governing the moral World there exists a sort of hidden connection akin to the affinities in chemistry between religious truths conveyed in the right Manner and the profoundest sentiments of the human mind where true religious truth is properly conveyed genuine response follows did not our hearts burn within us this devout sentiment is essential in the speaker from my own observations I must assert that this spiritual fervor or unction as the French aptly call it is far more likely to be found in a Methodist gathering in England than in a Parish Church this and this alone appears to be the driving force behind the full attendance in Methodist meetings and the dwindling numbers in the churches I am I believe not an Enthusiast rather I am a sincere and devoted Anglican a humble follower of the teachings of hail Bo Bernett and Leon during my visit to this country two years ago I didn't encounter a single preacher who taught with ad depth and insight of my esteemed mentors except those considered methodis I have since lost hope of receiving heartfelt instruction from any other source while I may not always agree with all their phrasings Methodist preachers undeniably impart genuine and unadulterated religious teachings last Sunday I experienced genuine Delight I can attest that the preacher spoke with truth and sincerity there was no attempt at eloquence the sincere individual didn't even consider it instead there was something far far more valuable a genuine conveyance of living truth I say living because it was evident that the preacher not only proclaimed these truths to others but also lived by them himself this Divine unction is the essence of preaching a preacher who lacks this anointing has never truly mastered the art of preaching likewise a preacher who has forfeited this anointing has lost the essence of preaching regardless of any other skills they may possess or maintain the ability to craft sermons to speak eloquently to think clearly or to Captivate an audience it is this anointing that renders God's truth potent and engaging drawing and captivating listeners building them up convicting them and ultimately saving them this Divine unction brings God's revealed truth to life infusing it with vitality and life-giving power even if God's truth is spoken without this anointing it remains dull and lifeless despite being rich in truth profound in thought adorned with rhetoric Guided by Logic and delivered with earnestness without this Divine anointing it leads to spiritual death rather than life Mr spurge virgin aptly remarks I wonder how long we might Ponder before we could adequately Express what is meant by preaching with unction yet the preacher knows its presence and The Listener soon detects its absence a discourse without it is like Samaria in famine while a sermon enriched with it is like Jerusalem with its Feast of fat things full of marrow we all recognize the freshness of a morning when du kissed Blades of grass Sparkle in the sunlight but who can truly capture or reproduce it such is the enigmatic nature of spiritual anointing it's effortless yet foolish to mimic it unction is something that cannot be manufactured and its counterfeits are not just worthless but detrimental yet it is invaluable in itself essential beyond measure for edifying Believers and leading Sinners to Christ chapter 15 do you have unction or just earnestness Robert Murray mcshain said speak for eternity Above All Else nurture your own Spirit a word spoken by you when your conscience is clear and your heart is filled with God's spirit is worth 10,000 words uttered in disbelief in sin oh always remember that God not man deserves the glory if the veil were lifted from the world's Machinery we would discover how much is accomplished in response to the prayers of God's children unction is that Indescribable almost mysterious quality which an esteemed old Scottish preacher once described in this way occasionally in preaching there exists something beyond the substance or delivery that defies explanation its nature or origin remains a mystery yet with a gentle force it touches the heart and emotions coming directly from the Lord and if there is any method to receive such a blessing it lies in the spiritual Readiness of the speaker unction is the term we use to describe a special quality it's this unction that brings the word of God to life making it quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword piercing even to the dividing aunder of Soul and Spirit and of the joints and Marrow and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart this same unction lends the preacher's words an extraordinary impact sharpness and potency often igniting change within even the most unresponsive congregations the same truths may have been spoken with UT most Precision coated smoothly with human eloquence yet without eliciting any response as lifeless as the grave however when the preacher is Anointed with this unction receiving this divine inspiration the be words are transformed by this mysterious Force stirring signs of life whether in acceptance or resistance the unction reaches deep convicting the conscience and softening the heart this Divine unction distinctly marks true gospel preaching setting it apart from all other ways of sharing the truth it creates a profound spiritual divide between the preacher blessed with this gift and one who is not unction infuses revealed truth with the full force of God's energy essentially placing God within his own word and upon his own messenger achieved through intense and unceasing prayer it becomes deeply personal and transformative for the preacher it enlightens the mind providing Insight understanding and the ability to convey powerful messages more than intellectual power unction brings emotional strength deriving from a heart of tenderness Purity and vigor it results in expanded thinking Freedom richness of ideas and a communication style characterized by directness and simplicity these are the fruits born of divine unction it's common for earnestness to be confused with Divine unction a person endowed with Divine unction will naturally be Earnest due to the inherently spiritual nature of their calling however it's possible to exhibit a great deal of earnestness without possessing any trace of function from certain perspectives earnestness and unction can appear very similar it's easy and often happens without notice for earnestness to be mistaken for or even used in place of unction distinguishing between them requires spiritual discernment and sensitivity earnestness can manifest as sincerity seriousness ardor and persistence it approaches a task with enthusiasm Contin es with steadfastness and promotes it passionately infusing it with energy yet all these efforts may not transcend the purely human realm the individual's entire being is involved his will emotions intellect creativity strategy effort and speech he commits to a goal that has captivated him striving to achieve it however this drive might lack Divine involvement it could be minimally influenced by God overshadowed by the person's prominence in the Endeavor his arguments crafted to support his Earnest goals might persuade affect or convince others of their significance yet this earnestness often operates within Earthly boundaries powered solely by human energies its foundations are laid by human human hands and its fervor ignited by worldly Sparks there's a narrative about a notably talented preacher who tailoring his interpretation of scripture to fit his own agenda became particularly passionate about his own readings similarly individuals can become extremely Earnest to their own schemes or initiatives in some cases what appears as earnestness may actually be self-interest in disguise unction is what gives preaching its unique Essence distinguishing it from Mere human speeches it is what distinctly sets preaching apart from all other forms of human expression infusing it with a divine presence unction sharpens the message for those who need Awakening and gently nourishes Souls seeking Solace it is aptly encapsulated in the poem a twoed edged sword of heavenly temper keen and double were the wounds it made whereever it glanced between was death to sin life to all who mourned for sin it kindled and it silenced Strife made War and Peace within this unction is not obtained through intellectual study but in the closet of prayer it is a Divine gift distilled from heaven in response to Earnest supplication it represents the purest influence of the Holy Spirit enriching permeating softening purifying and healing this unction empowers the word making it as impactful as Dynamite as essential as salt as sweet as sugar it transforms the word into a comforter an accuser a revealer a judge it turns The Listener into to either a convicted sinner or a Sanctified Saint causing Tears like a child and inspiring strength like a giant it gently yet irresistibly opens both hearts and wallets just as spring prompts the leaves to unfold this Divine anointing is not a result of innate Talent it cannot be acquired in academic institutions Charmed by eloquence or earned through hard work it is not something that can be bestowed by ceremonial rights it is a Divine endowment a seal of approval from God to his Messengers it is as if Heaven itself bestows Knighthood upon those true and Valiant individuals who have pursued this blessed Accolade through many hours of tearful fervent prayer earnestness is admirable and impactful genius is extraordinary and significant thought can ignite and motivate yet it requires something far more Divine a force greater than earnestness genius or intellect to shatter the bonds of sin to reclaim hearts that have strayed and become corrupted to mend the divisions and return the church to its former state of Purity and strength only the sacred unction possesses the power to achieve these Feats chapter 16 we must have this unction when preaching Richard ceile said all The Minister's efforts will be vanity or worse than vanity if he has not unction unction must come down from heaven and spread a Savor and feeling and relish over his ministry and among the other means of qualifying himself for his office the Bible must hold the first place and the last also must be given given to the word of God and prayer in the Christian system unction is the anointing of the Holy Spirit setting individuals apart for God's work and enabling them for it this unction is the unique Divine empowerment through which the preacher achieves the specific and saving purposes of preaching without this unction genuine spiritual results are not attained the effectiveness of preaching does not surpass that of uninspired speech without unction the latter is as influential as the pulpit this Divine unction on the preacher generates through the word of God the spiritual results that flow from the gospel and without this unction these results are not secured many Pleasant Impressions may be made but these all fall far below the ends of gospel preaching this Divine influence can be imitated many things appear similar to it producing effects that resemble its impact however these are not truly reflective of its nature or results the intensity or tenderness stirred by a moving or emotional sermon might seem like the workings of this Divine Touch but they lack a deep piercing heart rening power such surface level emotional responses do not contain any healing bomb for the heart they are neither thorough in probing sin nor effective in addressing it this Divine unction is the one distinguishing feature that separates true gospel preaching from all other methods of presenting truth it supports and permeates the revealed truth with all of God's Force this Divine influence enlightens the word enhancing and enriching the intellect enabling it to compreh end and grasp the word fully It prepares the preacher's heart bringing it to a state of tenderness Purity strength and Clarity that are essential for achieving the highest outcomes this unction gives to the preacher Liberty and enlargement of thought and soul a freedom fullness and directness of utterance that can be secured by no other process without this Divine anointing ing the gospel has no more power to spread than any other system of Truth this anointing is the mark of its divine nature when a preacher is Anointed it is as if God himself is present in the gospel without this anointing God seems absent and the gospel relies solely on the Lesser and inadequate methods that human creativity interest or Talent can concoct to promote and convey its teachings it is in this element that the pulpit often fails more than in any other just at this all important point it lapses learning it may have brilliancy and eloquence May delight and charm sensation or less offensive methods may bring the populace in crowds mental power may impress and enforce truth with all its resources but without this unction each and all these will but as the fretful assault of the waters on a Gibralter spray and foam May cover and spangle but the rocks are there still unimpressed and unimpressive just as the ocean's Relentless waves cannot sweep away the Rocks human efforts alone cannot cleanse the human heart of its hardness and sin these human forces simply lack the power to affect such deep and necessary changes this function serves as the force of consecration continually testing the depth of that consecration it is the Divine anointing on the preacher that ensures his dedication to God and his work while other forces and motives might draw him to the ministry true consecration comes solely through this Divine influence only a dedication that arises from the empowerment of the holy spirit is recognized by God as genuine the unction this Divine anointing is precisely what the pulpit requires this Divine and Heavenly oil applied by God's own hand must soften and permeate the entire being heart mind spirit so thoroughly that it profoundly separates him from all Earthly secular and selfish motives and goals dedicating him to everything pure and Godlike the Pres of this unction on the preacher is what creates a stir and friction within many congregations the same truths may have been delivered strictly by the letter yet no disturbance was evident no pain or emotion felt all remained as quiet as a graveyard however when another preacher arrives endowed with this mysterious influence the words of scripture are ignited by the spirit and the congregation feels the throws of a powerful movement it is the unction that awakens the conscience and softens the heart without this unction preaching becomes rigid dry bitter and lifeless this unction is not merely a relic of the past it is a present tangible and conscious reality it affects not only the preacher's delivery but also his personal experience trans transforming him into the likeness of his Divine master and empowering him to Proclaim Christ's truths with authority it is such a crucial force in Ministry that without it all else appears weak and ineffective yet its presence compensates for the lack of all other lesser Powers this unction is not an inherent gift it is conditional maintained and in enhanced through the same practices by which it was originally acquired constant prayer to God a passionate longing for God valuing it highly and seeking it with Relentless Zeal considering all else as loss without it the source of this unction it comes directly from God in response to prayer only Hearts dedicated to prayer are filled with his holy oil only lips Comm committed to prayer are anointed with this Divine unction prayer frequent and fervent is the cost of gaining this preaching unction it is also the sole condition for retaining it without ceaseless prayer the preacher never receives the unction similarly without persistent prayer the unction deteriorates much like Mana that is kept for too long and spoils chapter 17 Apostolic praying for your people John Wesley said give me 100 preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or Layman 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 the apostles understood the critical role and value of Prayer in their Ministry they recognized that their esteemed role as Apostles did not exempt them from the need for prayer rather it bound them to it even more urgently concerned that other vital duties might consume their time and hinder their commitment to prayer they appointed Layman to manage the demanding tasks of caring for the poor this Arrangement allowed the apostles to dedicate themselves without distraction to continual prayer and the ministry of the word prayer was prioritized and their commitment to it was emphasized strongly they were to give themselves to it treating it as a serious Endeavor fully engaging with intensity dedication and sustained effort how devotedly the holy Apostolic men committed themselves to the Divine work of prayer Paul describ their dedication as night and day praying exceedingly the apostles collectively resolved to give ourselves continually to prayer demonstrating their profound commitment to prayer the New Testament preachers intensely prayed for God's people channeling God's power into their congregations through the their prayers they understood that their role extended Beyond merely delivering God's word their preaching was made effective and impactful through the fervor and Persistence of their prayers Apostolic praying was as demanding laborious and essential as their preaching they prayed tirelessly day and night to elevate their followers to the highest levels of faith and sanctity and worked even harder in prayer to maintain them at these spiritual Heights a preacher who hasn't mastered the divine art of intercession for his people in the school of Christ will struggle to truly grasp the essence of preaching regardless of how much instruction in homiletics he receives or how naturally talented he is in crafting and delivering sermons this deep spiritual practice of praying for others is foundational impacting the efficacy of his preaching far more than mere technical skill or eloquence can the fervent prayers of apostolic saintly leaders play a significant role in transforming followers into Saints even among those who are not Apostles themselves if church leaders in subsequent years had maintained the same dedication and intensity in praying for their congregations as the apostles did the church might have avoided periods marked by worldliness and apostasy which have tarnished its history and dimmed its Glory truly Apostolic praying Fosters Apostolic Saints and sustains times of Purity and power within the church to serve as an intercessor for others requires remarkable qualities a noble Soul pure motives unselfishness self-sacrifice Relentless toil fervent spirit and divine tact a preacher's role extends Beyond praying for the mere salvation of his people he strives in prayer for their final salvation the apostles exemplified this dedication praying fervently that their followers might achieve Perfection not just a mild interest in Divine matters but that they might be filled with all the fullness of God Paul recognizing that his Apostolic preaching alone was insufficient to achieve this depth of spiritual life devoted himself to prayer saying for this cause he bowed his knees to the father of our Lord Jesus Christ in truth Paul's prayers carried his converts farther along the Journey of Holiness than his sermons ever could similarly epaphus contribut Ed as much or even more through his fervent prayers for the colossian spiritual maturity than through his preaching laboring tirelessly in prayer that they might stand perfect and complete in all the will of God preachers are preeminently God's leaders they are primarily responsible for the condition of the church they shape its character give tone and direction to its life the influence of a Church's leadership profoundly shapes its character and direction as the saying goes the treasure is in Earth and vessels implying that the Divine contents are housed in human containers which inevitably influence their expression whether the leaders shape the church or the church shapes its leaders the church will reflect the spiritual state of those at its Helm it will be spiritual if they are spiritual secular if they are secular and mixed if it's leaders are varied in their devotion historically the piety of Israel was significantly influenced by its Kings it is rare for a church to rebel against or exceed the religious fervor of its leaders when the leaders are profoundly spiritual and Powerful in their Holiness they signal God's favor upon the church in contrast weak or worldly leaders often usher in periods of disaster and decline this pattern is reflected in the times when Israel was deemed to have fallen greatly leading God to a point in experienced young leaders as lamented by the prophets these periods marked by Immature or inappropriate leadership often predicted troubling times for God's people in contrast times of strong spiritual leadership are typically times of great spiritual prosperity for the church prayer is a fundamental characteristic of strong spiritual leadership men who are devoted to Mighty prayer are also men of great influence and impact their deep and persistent communication with God grants them a powerful presence that shapes and molds circumstances around them indeed their effectiveness in prayer translates into a commanding ability in their Ministries and actions demonstrating in a conquering force in both spiritual Realms and practical Affairs how can a man preach who does not get his message fresh from God in the closet how can he preach without having his faith quickened his vision cleared and his heart warmed by his closeting with God alas for the pulpit lips which are Untouched by this closet flame dry and unction they will ever be and truths divine will never come with power from such lips as far as the real interests of religion are concerned a Pulpit without a closet will always be a Barren thing a preacher May preach in an official entertaining or learned way without prayer but between this kind of preaching and sewing God's precious seed with holy hands and prayerful weeping Hearts there is an immeasurable distance a Ministry devoid of prayer becomes the Undertaker of God's truth and the church despite any lavish adornments a costly casket or beautiful flowers it remains a funeral a prayerless Christian will never learn God's truth a prayerless ministry will never be able to teach God's truth ages of millennial Glory have been lost by a prayerless church the coming of Our Lord has been postponed indefinitely by a prayerless church hell has enlarged herself and filled her dire caves in the presence of the Dead service of a prayerless church the best the greatest offering is an offering of prayer if the preachers of the 20th century truly grasp the importance of prayer and harness its power the Millennium will reach its Zenith before the century comes to a close prayer without ceasing is the trumpet call to the preachers of the 20th century if the 20th century will get their texts their thoughts their words their sermons in their closets The Next Century will find a new Heaven and a new Earth the old sin stained and sin eclipsed Heaven and Earth will pass away Under The Power of a Praying Ministry chapter 18 do you pray for your pastors Jonathan Edwards stated 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 the practice of specifically praying for the preacher has sadly fallen out of favor or been disregarded sometimes it's criticized as undermining the ministry seen as a public admission by those who engage in it of the ministry's inadequacy this might offend the pride of intellect and self-sufficiency but such attitudes should be challenged and corrected within a Ministry that allows them to persist for the preacher prayer isn't merely a professional Duty or a privilege it's a necessity just as air is essential to the lungs prayer is indispensable to the preacher it's imperative for the preacher to pray and equally crucial for others to pray for the preacher these two principles are inseparable the preacher must pray and the preacher must be prayed for to fulfill the weighty responsibilities and Achieve genuine success in their calling the preacher requires both personal and intercessory prayer alongside nurturing a deep and fervent prayer life within themselves the true preacher earnestly desires the prayers of God's people the Holier a person becomes the more they value prayer they recognize that God reveals himself to those who earnestly seek him through prayer salvation doesn't reach a heart that neglects prayer and the Holy Spirit doesn't dwell in a spirit that lacks prayerfulness without prayer preaching fails to uplift the soul Jesus expects his followers to be prayerful the spread of the Gospel H hinges on prayerful preachers despite their gifts talents and education preachers must prioritize prayer as the preacher becomes more aware of the nature responsibility and challenges of their work they increasingly understand the necessity of prayer a true preacher not only feels the need to pray themselves but also calls on others to support them through prayer Paul serves as a prime example of this truth despite his remarkable abilities and god-given commission as an apostle Paul understood the vital importance of prayer in advancing the gospel he exemplified a life deeply devoted to prayer moreover Paul recognized that the success of his ministry depended not only on his own prayers but also on the prayers of fellow Believers he fervently appealed to other Saints for their support understanding that Collective prayer amplifies spiritual power in his impassion please for prayer Paul demonstrated his belief that unity in faith desire and prayer exponentially increases spiritual strength making it overwhelming and Unstoppable when combined units of prayer form an ocean of strength that cannot be resisted akin to drops of water merging into a vast expanse Paul with his deep understanding of spiritual Dynamics aimed to imbue his ministry with the enduring and irresistible force of this Collective prayer perhaps the secret to Paul's unparalleled dedication and impact on the church and the world lies in his ability to attract more prayers to himself and his ministry than others in his letters he implored the brethren in Rome I besee you that ye strive together with me in prayers to God for me and to the Ephesians he urged continuous prayer including prayers for his bold proclamation of the Gospel to the Colossians he emphasizes the importance of prayer urging them to pray for him with all praying also for us that God would open unto us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ he highlights his imprisonment and the need for clarity in his speech similarly to the Thessalonians he issues a direct plea Brethren pray for us in Corinth he calls upon the church to assist him through prayer ye also helping together by prayer for us he emphasizes that prayer is integral to their Collective work in a closing charge to the Thessalonian church he stresses the necessity of their prayers finally Brethren pray for us that the word of the Lord May have free course and be glorified he requests deliverance from adversaries Paul assures the Philippians that their prayers can turn his trials into opportunities for spreading the gospel even Fan's prayers are noted as he is asked to prepare a lodging for Paul symbolizing their spiritual Fellowship Paul's stance on this matter showcases not only his humility but also his profound understanding of the spirit ual Dynamics at play in advancing the gospel it serves as a Timeless lesson highlighting the critical importance of prayer in Ministry if Paul despite his Apostolic Authority and profound spiritual Insight relied so heavily on the prayers of fellow Believers for the success of his ministry then it emphasizes the even greater necessity for the prayers of today's Saints to be directed towards Ministry Paul did not perceive his urgent appeal for prayer as diminishing his dignity influence or py even if it did he was willing to sacrifice these for the sake of receiving their prayers despite his calling commission and esteemed position among the apostles Paul understood that his Effectiveness was incomplete without the prayers of his community he diligently wrote letters to various congregations urging them to pray for him do you pray for your preacher do you pray for them privately public prayers hold little value unless they are rooted in or followed by private prayer those who pray provide crucial support to the preacher akin to Aon and her supporting Moses they uplift his hands and determine the outcome of the spiritual battles that surround them the apostles primary aim was to encourage the church to pray fervently while they also recognized the importance of cheerful giving and engaging in religious activities prayer stood out as Paramount in their estimation they emphasized the necessity and significance of prayer above all else they employed sacred and UR urgent pleas fervent exhortations and compelling words to underscore the vital obligation of prayer we find Paul's burden in Ephesians 6 when he says praying at all times in the spirit with all prayer and supplication to that end keep alert with all perseverance making supplication for all the saints this is the keynote of apostolic success and the progress of the Gospel Jesus Christ had striven to do this in the days of his personal ministry as he was moved by infinite compassion at the ripened fields of Earth perishing for lack of laborers and pausing in his own praying he tries to awaken the stupid sensibilities of his disciples to the duty of prayer as he charges them pray ye the lord of the Harvest that he will send forth labor ERS into his Harvest and he spoke a parable unto them to this end that men ought always to pray and not to faint chapter 19 dedicated prayer and waiting on God William wilburforce wrote the constant Rush of business and social engagements exhausts me spiritually if not physically I realize that I've been neglecting my religious practices private devotion meditation scripture reading and the like as a result I feel spiritually depleted and distant it's clear that I need to allocate more time to these practices perhaps 2 hours or at least an hour and a half each day I've also been staying up too late leaving me with only A hurried half hour in the morning for myself the wisdom of countless good men confirms that neglecting private devotions leads to spiritual decline prayer I believe holds the power to remedy this situation indeed prayer is mighty not by its own virtue but by the gracious ordination of a loving and truthful God so I resolve to pray oh then pray pray pray our devotions cannot be confined to a set time on the clock but time remains crucial to their Essence the ability to wait to linger and to press into God's presence is fundamental to our spiritual communion unfortunately hurry which is unsuitable and harmful in many aspects of life has infiltrated our relationship with God to an alarming degree short devot tions while seemingly convenient are detrimental to deep piety calmness understanding and strength are never found in the midst of hurry instead short devotions drain spiritual Vitality halt spiritual growth weaken spiritual foundations and stifle the flourishing of spiritual life they serve as a breeding ground for Spiritual Decline and reveal a superficial piety ultimately they deceive wither the seeds of faith and impoverish the Soul while it's true that prayers recorded in the Bible are often brief the men of the Bible engaged in extended fervent prayer with God they spent many precious hours in sweet and Holy Communion wrestling with God in the depths of their souls though their words may have been few their waiting was long for instance Moses's prayers though concise in scripture were accompanied by fasting and intense crying out to God for 40 days and nights although the account of Elijah's prayer may be summarized in a few paragraphs there's no doubt that Elijah known for his fervent prayers spent countless hours in intense communion with God before boldly declaring to Ahab there shall not be due nor rain these years but according to my word Elijah engaged in fiery struggles and lofty conversations with the almighty similarly while the Bible provides brief glimpses of Paul's prayers Paul himself was known to pray night and day exceedingly The Lord's Prayer serves as a Divine model suitable even for young children yet Jesus Christ the Son of God often spent entire nights in prayer before accomplishing his work his sustained devotions not only perfected his work but also revealed the fullness and Glory of his Divine character engaging in spiritual work is demanding and many are reluctant to undertake it true prayer requires a serious investment of attention and time which our human nature often resists few individuals possess the fortitude to expend such effort when superficial efforts suffice we may become accustomed to offering shallow prayers that satisfy appearances and soothe our consciences but this is merely a facade a dangerous sedative we might shorten our prayers without realizing the danger until our spiritual foundations crumble Hasty devotions result in Weak Faith shallow convictions and questionable piety to spend little time with God is to limit our Effectiveness for God cutting short our prayers diminishes our entire religious character rendering it meager stingy and careless the full flow of God's presence into our Spirits requires ample time short devotions disrupt this flow like a kink in a pipe hindering the fullness of God's presence it's in the secret places away from distractions that we receive the complete revelation of God rushing through our time with him diminishes the beauty and depth of that Revelation Henry Martin lamented that his incessant focus on sermon making had created a distance between himself and God he realized that he had devoted too much time to public Ministry and too little to personal communion with God recognizing the need for Solitude and solemn prayer he began setting aside time for fasting and extended prayer sessions as a result he noted was assisted this morning to pray for 2 hours similarly William wilburforce renowned for his dedication to Public Service acknowledged the detrimental effects of neglecting private devotions he confessed I must secure Ure more time for private devotions I have been living far too publicly for me he understood that shortening private devotions starves the soul leaving it weak and depleted wilburforce attributed a failure in Parliament to his restricted prayer time acknowledging let me record my grief and shame all probably from private devotions having been contracted and so God let me me stumble his remedy was to prioritize Solitude and earlier hours for personal communion with God devoting more time and Rising early for prayer would work wonders in Reviving and strengthening many a weakened spiritual life such dedication would inevitably manifest in holy living making a holy life more attainable and less elusive a Christlike character with its sweet and tranquil phrase an would not seem so distant or unattainable if our prayer life were extended and deepened our spiritual poverty often reflects our meager prayer life spending ample time in prayer allows us to Feast on the richness of God's presence nourishing our souls with depth and abundance our ability to remain in communion with God in the secret place directly correlates with our ability ability to walk closely with him in our daily lives rushed visits to the closet are deceptive and ultimately unsatisfying we deceive ourselves and miss out on the rich blessings that come from patient waiting and persistent prayer Jesus Christ himself emphasizes the importance of persistent prayer asking with emphasis shall not God avenge his own elect who cry out to him day and night to pray is the greatest action we can Undertake and to do it effectively requires calmness time and deliberate intention otherwise prayer is reduced to a trivial and insignificant act genuine prayer yields the greatest results for good while superficial prayer produces minimal impact we cannot dedicate too much time to authentic prayer but we can certainly do too little of it we must relearn the true value of prayer and recommit ourselves to the discipline of prayer Mastery of this profound art takes time and dedication and we cannot afford to approach it casually we must not settle for occasional moments of prayer but instead prioritize and fiercely guard the best hours of our day for communion with God or our prayer will lack true substance and power unfortunately prayer has fallen out of fashion in our Modern Age few men are devoted to prayer and it is often disregarded or even ridiculed by preachers and Priests alike in this era of constant activity and technological advancement people are too busy to make time for prayer while some preachers include prayers in their routine how many truly engage in fervent Earnest prayer like Jacob who wrestled with God until he received his Blessing who prays with the intensity of Elijah whose prayers brought about miraculous interventions in nature who dedicates themselves to prayer as Jesus did spending entire nights communing with God on the mountain even the apostles recognized the Paramount importance of prayer yet it remains a challenge to convince men including preachers to prioritize it many laymen are generous with their money but neglect prayer not realizing that without prayer their financial contributions are ineffective while there are plenty of preachers who eloquently advocate for Revival and the expansion of God's kingdom true Revival cannot occur without fervent persistent prayer prayer seems outdated almost forgotten an art lost in the hustle and bustle of Modern Life the greatest gift our age could receive is someone who can lead preachers and the church back to the practice of fervent dedicated prayer chapter 20 a generation of saints who neglect true prayer Martin Luther stated I judge that my prayer is more potent than even the Devil Himself if it were otherwise Luther would have fared differently long before this yet despite the great wonders and miracles God works on my behalf men refuse to see and acknowledge them if I were to neglect prayer even for a single day I would lose a great deal of the fire of Faith before Pentecost the apostles only caught glimpses of the great importance of prayer however when the spirit came and filled them at Pentecost prayer was elevated to its vital and commanding position in the gospel of Christ today the call to prayer for every saint is the spirit's most urgent and compelling call the piety of saints is molded refined and perfected through prayer the progress of the Gospel is hindered when Saints are not fervently engaged in prayer early late and for extended periods where are the Christlike leaders who can instruct modern Saints in the art of prayer and Inspire them to engage in it earnestly do we realize that we are nurturing a generation of saints who neglect prayer we need Apostolic leaders who can mobilize God's people to pray let them step forward and undertake this crucial task it is the most important work that can be done increased educational resources and financial abundance will only harm religion if not accompanied by a greater commitment to prayer merely launching fundraising campaigns will not enhance our prayer life in fact they may hinder it if we are not careful only deliberate efforts led by prayerful leaders can make a difference these leaders must emphasize the vital importance of prayer in the heart and life of the church only prayerful leaders can Inspire prayerful followers apostles who are devoted to prayer will raise up Saints who are likewise committed to prayer a Pulpit that prioritizes prayer will Foster congregations that are fervent in prayer we desperately need someone who can guide the Saints in the discipline of prayer as a generation we fall short of being praying saints Saints who do not pray lack the fervor Beauty and power that characterize true sanctity who will rise to mend this Gap the greatest reformers and apostles will be those who can lead the church in prayer we firmly believe that in every era the church's foremost requirement is individuals characterized by commanding Faith unsolid Holiness marked spiritual Vigor and fervent Zeal their prayers Faith lives and Ministry should exemplify such radical and assertive qualities that they instigate spiritual revolutions capable of shaping new erors in both individual and church life we do not refer to individuals who create Sensational upheavals through novelty or entertain through pleasing distractions instead we speak of those who can instigate real change and bring about revolutions through the preaching of God's word and the power of the Holy Spirit revolutions that alter the entire course of events natural Talent and educational achievements are not the determining factors here what matters is a capacity for Faith the ability to pray fervently a complete consecration to God humility and a total surrender of self to the glory of God these are individuals who possess an unquenchable thirst for the fullness of God and who can ignite the church for God not in a flashy superficial manner but with a deep and intense fervor that transforms and mobilizes everything for God's purposes God can accomplish wonders if he finds a suitable individual conversely men can achieve wonders if they allow God to guide them in these modern times the full empowerment of the spirit that once turned the world upside down would be incredibly beneficial individuals who have the ability to stir things up mightily for God whose spiritual revolutions completely transform the landscape are essential for the church throughout its history The Church has never been without such men they Adorn its history books serving as living proof of the church's divine nature their examples and stories serve as a constant source of inspiration and blessing we should earnestly pray for an increase in their number and influence that which has been accomplished in spiritual matters can be replicated and surpassed this was Christ's belief he declared truly truly I say to you whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do and greater Works than these will he do because I am going to the Father the achievements of the past have not exalted Ed the possibilities or the need for doing great things for God a church that relies solely on its past achievements for miracles of power and Grace is a stagnant church God seeks individuals who have been chosen individuals from whom self and the world have been eradicated through a rigorous crucifixion through a spiritual bankruptcy that has utterly devastated self and the world leaving no hope or desire for Recovery these are individuals who through this bankruptcy and crucifixion have turn their hearts completely toward God let us fervently pray that God's promise to answer prayer may be even more abundantly realized you finished listening to power through prayer this Audi book was produced by scroll reader.com find find more free audio books on our website may the Lord help us to be stirred by the truths in this book and apply them to our lives