“Our prayer must not be self-centered. It must arise not only because we feel our own need as a burden we must lay upon God, but also because we are so bound up in love for our fellow men that we feel their need as acutely as our own. To make intercession for men is the most powerful and practical way in which we can express our love for them.” John Calvin
“The battle of prayer is against two things in the earthlies: wandering thoughts, and lack of intimacy with God’s character as revealed in His word. Neither can be cured at once, but they can be cured by discipline.” Oswald Chambers
“…True prayer is measured by weight, not by length. A single groan before God may have more fullness of prayer in it than a fine oration of great length.” C. H. Spurgeon
“If you want that splendid power in prayer, you must remain in loving, living, lasting, conscious, practical, abiding union with the Lord Jesus Christ.” C. H. Spurgeon
“If the spiritual life be healthy, under the full power of the Holy Spirit, praying without ceasing will be natural.” Andrew Murray
My Comments: I’ll be curious as to which of these stick out in your mind as you read them. For me I think it is the last Spurgeon quote. As I examine my own life and recognize now anemic my prayer life can be it causes me to consider what might be short circuiting the power. What is keeping me from having the kind of relationship with God that would result in increased power from God through prayer? Hmmmm!
I am enjoying the information you have been sharing and feel challenged by it each time. Doesn’t mean I get it right, but makes me try harder. It is also comforting to know that even someone like you, in your role, struggles with the same things I do. So THANK YOU!