The prayer meeting answers to this demand of the spiritual brotherhood, with more exclusiveness and direct fitness than any other ordinance of religious worship… There is a power in conferring and covenanting, on the part of kindred spirits, to come before God, and plead together some special promise… The prayer meeting is a divine ordinance, founded in man’s social nature… The prayer meeting is a special means of developing and cultivating Christian graces, and of promoting individual and social edification.
— J.B. Johnston (1802–1882), Presbyterianischer Geistlicher, Theologe, Gründer und erster Präsident des Geneva College
Topics: Prayer & Silence, Church & Congregation, Growth & Character
Occasions: For Reflection
J.B. Johnston
John Black Johnston (1802–1882) war ein US-amerikanischer presbyterianischer Geistlicher und Pädagoge in Ohio sowie der Gründer des Geneva College. Er vertrat die reformierte Theologie der Covenanter, engagierte sich gegen die Sklaverei sowie für Bildungschancen von Frauen und verteidigte den liturgischen Gesang biblischer Psalmen. Heutigen Bibellesern begegnen seine Texte vor allem als Zeugnisse einer streng am Schriftprinzip ausgerichteten Gottesdienstpraxis und einer traditionsbewussten Gebetskultur.
All quotes by J.B. Johnston (4)
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