Prayer is a means of assisting the minister which is within the reach of all. They who can do nothing more, can pray. The sick, who cannot encourage their minister by their presence in the sanctuary, can bear him upon their hearts in their lonely chamber: the poor who cannot add to his temporal comfort by monetary donations, can supplicate their God “to supply all [his] needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19): the timid, who cannot approach to offer him the tribute of their gratitude, can pour their praises into the ear of Jehovah, and entreat him still to encourage the soul of His servant: the ignorant, who cannot hope to add one idea to the stock of his knowledge, can place him before the fountain of celestial radiance: even the dying, who can no longer busy themselves as in former times for his interests, can gather up their remaining strength, and employ it in the way of prayer for their pastor.
— John Angell James (1785–1859), Prediger
Related Bible passage: PHL.4.19
Topics: Prayer & Silence, Church & Congregation, Service & Love of Neighbour
Occasions: Encouragement
John Angell James
John Angell James war ein englischer kongregationalistischer Prediger und Schriftsteller, der von 1805 bis zu seinem Tod 1859 an der Carrs Lane Chapel in Birmingham wirkte. Bekanntheit erlangte er durch weitverbreitete Erbauungsschriften wie „The Anxious Inquirer“ sowie durch seinen Einsatz für persönliche Bekehrung, Seelsorge und Ernsthaftigkeit im Predigtdienst. Heutigen Bibellesern bieten seine Schriften praxisnahe Anregungen für die persönliche Glaubenspraxis und das geistliche Leben.
All quotes by John Angell James (26)
When we pray, the circumstances often remain the same, but we become different.
Oswald Chambers
Prayer does not change God, but the one who prays.
Søren Kierkegaard
Courage is fear that has said its prayers.
Corrie ten Boom
To pray is to draw breath from God.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Prayer does not equip us for greater works – prayer is the greater work.
Oswald Chambers
God has his ear at your heart.
Augustine of Hippo
Prayers are tools not for doing or getting, but for being and becoming.
Eugene Peterson