Prayer is nothing but the breathing that out before the Lord, that was first breathed into us by the Spirit of the Lord.
Interpretation
Prayer is a deep and spiritual connection with God, emphasizing that it originates from a divine inspiration within us.
In this quote, Thomas Brooks articulates the concept of prayer as an essential and intimate form of communication with God, which is initiated by the Holy Spirit. It suggests that our ability to pray is not solely a human endeavor but rather a response to the divine breath that has been imparted to us, highlighting the interconnectedness of humanity and the divine in our spiritual practices.
In practice
In a sermon discussing the importance of spiritual practices, utilize this quote to emphasize the nature of prayer.
Remember this-all the sighing, mourning, sobbing, and complaining in the world, does not so undeniably evidence a man to be humble, as his overlooking his own righteousness, and living really and purely upon the righteousness of Christ.
Grace and glory differ very little; the one is the seed, the other is the flower; grace is glory militant, glory is grace triumphant.
He is the best preacher, not that tickles the ear, but that breaks the heart.
Ah! sinner, remember this, there is no way on earth effectually to be rid of the guilt, filth, and power of sin, but by believing in a Saviour. It is not resolving, it is not complaining, it is not mourning, but believing, that will make thee divinely victorious over that body of sin that to this day is too strong for thee, and that will certainly be thy ruin, if it be not ruined by a hand of faith.
Self is the only oil that makes the chariot-wheels of the hypocrite move in all religious concerns.
Humility can weep over other men's weaknesses, and joy and rejoice over their graces.
Beauty is the disinterested one, without which the ancient world refused to understand itself, a word which both imperceptibly and yet unmistakably has bid farewell to our new world, a world of interests, leaving it to its own avarice and sadness.
A hundred suspicions don't make a proof.
If [people] place such things as friendship and family ties above their own productive work, yes, then they are immoral. Friendship, family life and human relationships are not primary in a man's life. A man who places others first, above his own creative work, is an emotional parasite.
We are the creators and creatures of each other, _x000D_ causing and bearing each other's burden.
The senseless killing of 20 children and their teachers and principal at Sandy Hook Elementary School was not part of God's grand plan. It was a thwarting of God's plan. It was the misuse of human freedom.
Fire. God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, not of the philosophers and the scholars. I will not forget thy word. Amen.
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