Some are greatly affected when in company; but have nothing that bears any manner of proportion to it in secret, in close meditation, prayer and conversing with God when alone, and separated from the world. A true Christian doubtless delights in religious fellowship and Christian conversation, and finds much to affect his heart in it; but he also delights at times to retire from all mankind, to converse with God in solitude. And this also has peculiar advantages for fixing his heart, and engaging his affections. True religion disposes persons to be much alone in solitary places for holy meditation and prayer… It is the nature of true grace, however it loves Christian society in its place, in a peculiar manner to delight in retirement, and secret converse with God.
— Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758), Erweckungsprediger
Topics: Prayer & Silence, Loneliness & Abandonment, Faith & Trust
Occasions: For Reflection
Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758) war ein puritanischer Theologe, Philosoph und Pastor, der im kolonialen Nordamerika vor allem in Massachusetts wirkte. Er gilt als Schlüsselfigur der ersten großen Erweckungsbewegung und Autor einflussreicher Predigten wie „Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God“, stand jedoch wegen strenger Abendmahlsregeln in Konflikten und verteidigte die Sklaverei. Heutigen Bibellesern begegnet er als tiefgründiger Ausleger der Souveränität Gottes und der Natur geistlicher Bekehrungserfahrungen.
All quotes by Jonathan Edwards (154)
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