Before you enter into prayer, ask your soul these questions: To what end, O my soul, are you retired into this place? Are you not come to discourse the Lord in prayer? Is he present, will he hear you? Is he merciful, will he help you? Is your business slight is it not concerning the welfare of your soul? What words will you use to move him to compassion? To make your preparation complete, consider: that you are but dust and ashes and he the great God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who clothes himself with light as with a garment; that you are a vile sinner and he a holy God; that you are but a poor crawling worm and he the omnipotent Creator.
In all your prayers, forget not to thank the Lord for his mercies. When you pray, rather let your heart be without words than your words without heart. Prayer will make a man cease from sin or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer. The spirit of prayer is more precious than treasures of gold and silver.
Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan.
[John Bunyan]
1 Thessalonians 1:17 … Pray without ceasing.
James 5:16 … Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Philippians 4:6 … Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.❤
