It is not merely the pleadings of patriarchs and prophets, apostles and martyrs, men strong in faith giving glory to God. Neither is it the prayers enshrined and intoned in imposing ritual, rising from the great congregation amid ornate temples, and borne on the wings of enchanting music – but the groan, the glance, the tear, the tremulous aspiration of smitten penitents, the veriest lisping of infant tongues; the unlettered petitions morning and evening of the cottage home, where the earthen floor is knelt upon, where the only altar is the altar of the lowly heart, and the sacrifice that of a broken and contrite spirit.
— John MacDuff (1818–1895), Pfarrer, Hymnendichter und Autor christlicher Erbauungsliteratur
Related Bible passage: PSA.51.19
Topics: Prayer & Silence, Humility & Pride, Guilt & Forgiveness
Occasions: For Reflection
John MacDuff
John Ross Macduff (1818–1895) war ein schottischer presbyterianischer Pfarrer und Autor, der unter anderem in Glasgow und später in England wirkte. Im 19. Jahrhundert wurde er durch weit verbreitete Andachtsbücher, Gebetssammlungen und Kirchenlieder bekannt, die seelsorglichen Zuspruch und biblische Verheißungen in den Mittelpunkt stellten. Heutigen Bibellesern begegnen seine Schriften als Beispiele protestantischer Erbauungsliteratur, die biblische Texte auf persönliche Lebensfragen und Erfahrungen von Leid beziehen.
All quotes by John MacDuff (11)
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