When thou prayest before others, observe on what thou bestowest thy chief care and zeal, whether in the externals or internals of prayer, that which is exposed to the eye and ear of men, or that which should be prepared for the eye and ear of God; the devout posture of thy body, or the inward devotion of thy soul; the pomp of thy words or the power of thy faith; the agitation of thy bodily spirits in the vehemency of thy voice, or the fervency of thy spirit in heartbreaking affections. These inward workings of the soul in prayer, are the very soul of prayer.
— William Gurnall (1616–1679), Puritanischer Pastor
Topics: Prayer & Silence, Humility & Pride, Growth & Character
Occasions: For Reflection
William Gurnall
William Gurnall war ein englischer puritanischer Geistlicher des 17. Jahrhunderts, der von 1644 bis zu seinem Tod als Pfarrer in Lavenham wirkte. Bekanntheit erlangte er durch sein umfangreiches Werk „The Christian in Complete Armour“ über die geistliche Waffenrüstung, geriet jedoch 1662 durch seine Anpassung an den staatlichen Act of Uniformity in Konflikt mit nonkonformistischen Puritanern. Heutigen Bibellesern bietet sein Werk eine detailreiche theologische und seelsorgliche Auslegung des Epheserbriefs zur Praxis von Gebet und geistlicher Wachsamkeit.
All quotes by William Gurnall (40)
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