a

1. PoderAtravésPrayerbyE.M. Bounds
Capítulo1 homensde oraçãoNecessários
Estude santidade universal davida.Todaa sua utilidade depende disso,paraosseussermões
por último,masumaou duas horas;sua vidapregatoda a semana.Se Satanás só pode fazer
uma
ministrocobiçosoumamante de louvor,de prazer,de comerbem, ele arruinousua
ministério.Dê-se àoração,e obteryourtexts,seuspensamentos,suaspalavras de
Deus.Luteropassouseustrêsmelhoreshorasemoração .-- RobertMurray McCheyne
Estamosconstantemente emumtrecho,se nãoemum esforçopara desenvolvernovos
métodos,novosplanos,novas
organizaçõesparaavançar na ampliaçãoe eficiênciaIgreja e seguraparao
evangelho.Estatendênciadodiatemuma tendênciatolose de vistaohomemouafundaro
homemem
o planoou organização.Oplanode Deusé makemuchdohomem, muitomaisdele doque de
algomais.Os homenssãoo métodode Deus.A Igreja estáprocurandométodosmelhores;
Deusé
à procura de melhoreshomens."Houve umhomemenviadoporDeuscujonome eraJoão".a
dispensaçãoque anuncioue preparouocaminhopara Cristoestavaligadoaesse homem
John."Porque ummeninonosnasceu,umfilhonosisgiven."Salvaçãodomundosai
que embalouFilho.QuandoPauloapelaparao characterof pessoal doshomensque o
enraizadas
evangelhonomundo,ele resolveomistériooftheirsucesso.A glóriaeaeficiênciados
o evangelhoé estacousobre oshomensque proclamam.QuandoDeusdeclaraque "osolhos
do
Senhorcorrer para láe para cá por todaa terra,para mostrar-se forte a favorde
aquelescujocoraçãoé perfeitoparacomele ", declaraa necessidadede homense sua
dependênciadelescomoum canal atravésdo qual a exerceroseupodersobre o mundo.este
vital,urgente verdade é aquele que nestaépocade máquinasé toforgetapt.Oesquecimento
é
como funestasobre aobra de Deus comoseriaBethe marcante do sol de sua esfera.

2. A escuridão,confusãoe morte se seguiria.
O que a Igrejaprecisahoje nãoé maismáquinas,oumelhor,nãode novasorganizaçõesou
maise novosmétodos,mashomensaquemo EspíritoSanto possausar - homensde oração,
homens
poderosoemoração.O Espírito Santofaz notflow atravésde métodos,maspormeiode
homens.ele
não vemsobre máquinas,massobre homens.Ele nãoanointplans,masoshomens - homens
de
oração.
Um eminente historiadordisseque osacidentesde caráterpessoal têmmaisaver
com as revoluçõesdasnaçõesdoque qualquerhistoriadoresfilosóficosordemocraticpolíticos
permitir.Estaverdade temsuaaplicaçãona íntegra para o evangelhode Cristo,ocaráterea
condutados seguidoresde Cristo - cristianizaromundo,transfigurarnaçõese
indivíduos.Dospregadoresdoevangelhoé eminentemente verdade.
O personagem,assimcomoodestinodoevangelhoestácomprometidacomopregador.ele
faz oudesfaza mensagemde Deusparao homem.Opregadoré o tubo de ouro atravésde
que os fluxosde petróleodivinas.Otubodeve notonlyserdourada,masabertoe semfalhas,
que
o óleopode terum semobstáculos,ofluxocompleto,unwasted.
O homemfazo pregador.Deusdeve makethe homem.Omensageiroé,se possível,
maisdo que a mensagem.Opregadoré mais doque o sermão.O pregadorfaz a
sermão.Comoo leite que dávidado seiodamãe,mas é a vidada mãe,entãotudo
o pregadordizé tingido,impregnadosporaquiloque opregadoré.Otesouroestáno
vasosde barro,eo gostodos impregnadosvasose pode descolorir.Ohomem, o
homemcomoum todo,estápor trás do sermão.A pregaçãoé notthe desempenhode uma
hora. É
saída de umavida.Demora20 anos para fazerum sermão,porque levavinte anospara
fazero homem.Overdadeirosermãoé umacoisada vida.O sermãocresce porque o homem
cresce.O sermãoé forte porque ohomemé forte.O sermãoé santo porque

3. o homemé santo.O sermãoestá cheiode unçãodivina,porque ohomemestácheiode
unção divina.
Paul classificoude "meu evangelho";Nãoque ele tivesse degradadoporsuasexcentricidades
pessoaisou
desviadoporapropriaçãoegoísta,maso evangelhofoi colocadonocoraçãoe na alma de
o homemPaulo,comoumarelação de confiançapessoal aserexecutadopelosseustraços
paulinos,aserincendiadose
habilitadapelaenergiade fogode suaalmaardente.Sermõesde Paulo - que erameles?
Onde elesestão?Esqueletos,fragmentosdispersos,flutuandonomarde inspiração!maso
homemPaul,maiordoque os seussermões,vive parasempre,emplenaforma,
funcionalidade e estatura,com
a mão de moldagemsobre a Igreja.A pregaçãoé apenasuma voz.A vozemsilênciomorre,
o textoé esquecido,osermãodesaparece damemória;opregadorvive.
O sermãonão pode subiremsuasforças vivificantesacimadohomem.Homensmortosdar
mortos
sermõese sermõesmortosmatam.Tudodepende docaráterespiritual da
pregador.Soba dispensaçãojudaicahighpriesttinhainscritoemletrasde jóias
emuma testeirade ouro:"Santidade tothe Senhor."Assim, cadaministériode Cristo
preacherindeve
sermoldadoeme masterizadoporeste lemasameholy.Éumavergonhapara o
Ministériocristãoacair maisbaixoemsantidade de caráter e santidade de objetivoque o
Sacerdóciojudaico.Jonathan Edwardsdisse:"Eufui coma minhaeagerpursuitdepoisde mais
santidade e conformidade comCristo.OheavenIdesejadoeraumcéude santidade "O.
evangelhode Cristonãose move porondaspopulares.Nãotemo poderde auto-propagação.
ele
move-se comooshomensque têma seucargo o movimento.Opregadordeve representaro
evangelho.Suadivina,featuresmustmaisdistintivaserincorporadonele.oconstrangimento
poderdo amor deve estarnaasa pregadorprojetando,excêntrico,umtodo-comandante,
força selfoblivious.A energiade abnegaçãodeve seroseuser,oseucoração, sangue e
ossos.Ele deve saircomoum homementre oshomens,vestidoscomhumildade,
permanecendoem

4. mansidão,sábiocomoumaserpente,inofensivocomoumapomba;oslaçosde um servocom
o espíritode
um rei,umrei em alta,real,no rolamentodependente,coma simplicidadeeadoçurade um
criança. O pregadordeve lançar-se,withalloabandonode umperfeito,auto-esvaziamento
fé e zeloauto-consumindo,emseuworkforosofmen salvação.Hearty,heróico,
compassivo,mártiresdestemidosdevemoshomensserquemdominare moldarumageração
para Deus.Se foremservidoresde tempotímidos,colocaroscandidatos,se sãopara agradar
aos homensouhomens
tementes,se asuafé tem umpoderfraco sobre Deuse sua Palavra,iftheirnegaçãoser
quebradoporqualquer
fase do autoou do mundo,elesnãopodemtomarconta domundoda Northe Igrejade Deus.
Pregaçãomaisnítida e mais forte dopregadordeve serpara si mesmo.Suamaisdifícil,
trabalhodelicadoe laborioso,e completadeve sercomele mesmo.Otreinamentodosdoze
foi o grande,difícil e duradouroofChristtrabalho.Pregadoresnãosãosermõesfabricantes,
mas os fabricantesde homense fabricantesde santo,e ele sóé bemtreinadoparaeste
negócioque tem
fez-se umhomeme umsanto.É talentosnotgreatnemgrande aprendizado,nemgrande
pregadoresque Deusprecisa,masoshomensgrandesemsantidade,grandesnafé,noamor
grandes,grandesem
fidelidade,grande paraDeus- oshomenssempre pregandoporsermõessantosnopúlpito,
pelasanta
vive foradele.Estespodemmoldarumageraçãopara Deus.
Apósestaordem,os primeiroscristãosforamformados.Oshomensque foramde molde
sólido,
pregadoresapóso tipocelestial - heróico,valente,de soldado,santo.pregandocom
elessignificavaabnegado,auto-crucificação,sério,árduo,negóciomártir.eles
aplicou-se aelade umaforma que disse emsuageração,e formadoemsua útero
geração que aindanão nasceramde Deus.O homempregandoISTOsero homemde oração. A
oração é o
arma maispoderosado pregador.Uma força todo-poderoso,porsi só,dá vidae força a todos.

5. O verdadeirosermãoé feitanoarmário.Ohomem - o homemde Deus - é feitanoarmário.
sua
vidae suasconvicçõesmaisprofundasosnascidosnasua comunhãosecretacom Deus.a
sobrecarregadose agonialágrimasde seuespírito,suasmensagensmaispesadase maisdoces
foramobtidos
quandoa sós com Deus.A oração fazo homem, a oração faz o pregador;fazda oração
o pastor.
O púlpitode hoje é fracona oração. O orgulhode aprendizagemé contraa dependentes
humildade de oração.A oração é o púlpitocommuitafreqüênciaúnicofuncionário - um
desempenhopara
a rotina de serviço.A oração não é para o púlpitomodernodaforçapoderosaque estavaem
Paulo
vidaou ministériode Paulo.Todopregadorque nãofazda oração umfator forte na sua
própriavidae ministérioé fracocomo fatorna obra de Deuse é impotente para projetarDeus
causar neste mundo.
Capítulo2 a nossacapacidade vemde Deus
Mas acimade tudoele se destacouemoração. A interioridadeeopesodoseuespírito,o
reverênciae solenidadede seudiscursoe comportamento,eopequenonúmeroe plenitude da
sua
palavrastêmmuitasvezesatingiuaté mesmoestranhoscomadmiração,comose costumava
alcançar outroscom
consolação.O,vivendo,quadroreverendomaishorrível que eujásenti oucontemplei,devo
dizer,foi
sua oração. E realmente foi umtestemunho.Ele sabiae viveumaisdoSenhordoque ooutro
homens,paraque os que o conhecemmaisvai vermaisrazão para se aproximardele com
reverência
e medo.-- WilliamPennde George Fox
O maisdoce graças por umaligeiraperversãopode produzirofrutoamargo.O sol dá
vida,mas insolaçõessãoamorte.A pregaçãoé para dar vida;pode matar.O pregadortemo
chaves;ele pode bloquear,bemcomodesbloqueio.A pregaçãoé grande instituiçãode Deus
para o plantio

6. eoamadurecimentode life.whenespiritualexecutadocorretamente,osseusbenefíciossão
incalculáveis;quando
executadoerrada,nenhummal pode excederseusresultadosprejudiciais.Éuma questãofácil
de destruir
o rebanhose o pastor serincautoou o pastoser destruído,fácil de capturaro
cidadelase osvigiasestardormindooua comidae água serenvenenado.Investidocomtal
prerrogativasgracioso,expostosTosograndesmales,envolvendoresponsabilidadesgraves
somany,
seriauma paródiasobre a astúciado diaboe uma calúniasobre seucaráter e
reputaçãose ele não trouxe suasinfluênciasmestrasparaadulteraro pregadorea
pregação.Em face de tudoisto,o interrogatórioexclamaçãode Paulo:"Quemé suficiente para
essascoisas?"nuncaestá forade ordem.
Paulodiz:"A nossacapacidade vemde Deus,que tambémnosfezministroscapazesde onovo
testamento;nãodaletra,mas do espírito,porque aletramata, maso espíritovivifica".
O verdadeiroministérioé tocadoporDeus,habilitadosparaDeus,e porDeus.O Espírito de
Deusestáem
o pregadorno poderda unção,o frutodo Espírito estáemseucoração, o Espírito de Deustem
vitalizadoohomemeapalavra;suapregação dá vida,dá vidacomoa primaveradáa vida;
dá vidacomo a ressurreiçãodávida;dá vidaardente asthe verãodá vidaardente;
dá vidafrutíferacomo o outonodá vidafrutífera.Opregadorque dá vidaé um homemde
Deus,cujocoração estásempre sedentode Deus,cujaalmaestásempre seguindodifícil
depoisde Deus,
cujoolhoé únicopara Deus,e emquem, pelopoderdoEspíritode Deusa carne eo
mundotêmsidocrucificadoe seusministryiscomoogenerousfloodde umdoadorde vida
rio.
A pregaçãoque mata é a pregação não-espiritual.A capacidade de opregarnão é
de Deus.Fontesmaisbaixosdoque Deustemdado a ele energiae estimulante.OEspíritoé
não é evidente nopregadornemasua pregação.Muitostiposde forças podemserprojetadas
e

7. estimuladopelapregaçãoque mata,mas elesnãosãoforças espirituais.Elespodem
assemelhar-se
forças espirituais,massãoapenasa sombra,a falsificação;vidaque pode parecerter,mas
a vidaé magnetizado.A pregaçãoque mataé a letra;bemtorneadase ordenadaque seja,
mas é a carta ainda,a, letrahuskyseca,a, concha careca vazio.A carta pode ter o
germe da vidaemsi,mas não temfôlegode primaveraparaevocá-lo;sementesde inverno
que são, tão duro
como o solodoinverno,comogeladocomoo ar do inverno,semdescongelarnem
germinandoporeles.este
carta-pregaçãotema verdade.Masmesmoverdade divinanãotemenergiaque dávida
sozinho;ele
deve serrevigoradapeloEspírito,comtodasas forças de Deusemsua parte traseira.Verdade
unquickenedpor
O Espíritode Deusenfraquece tantoquanto,oumaisdoque,de erro. Pode sera verdade sem
mistura;mas semo Espíritoa suasombra e toque são mortais,o seuerroverdade,asua luz
escuridão.A carta-pregaçãoé unctionless,nemamadurecidonemlubrificadapeloEspírito.
Pode haverlágrimas,maslágrimasnãopode executarmáquinasde Deus;lágrimaspode ser,
mas o verãode
respiraçãoemum icebergcobertode neve,nadaalémde lamasuperfície.Sentimentose
seriedade
pode haver,masé a emoçãodo ator e da seriedade doadvogado.a
pregadorpode sentir-se apartirdoacendimentodassuasprópriasfaíscas,ser eloqüente sobre
a sua própria
exegese,sérioementregaroprodutode seuprópriocérebro,o professorpode usurparo
lugare imitaro fireof oapóstolo;cérebrose nervospodemservirdolugare fingir
a obra do Espíritode Deus,e por essasforças a carta pode brilhare brilharcomoum
textoiluminado,masobrilhoe brilhoserátão estéril davidacomoo campo semeadode
pérolas.Oelementode morte-dealingreside parte de trásdas palavras,de voltadosermão,
de voltada
ocasião,de voltada forma,parte de trás da ação. O grande obstáculoé o pregador

8. si mesmo.Ele não tememsi as forçascriadoras de vidapoderosas.Nãopode havernenhum
desconto
emsua ortodoxia,honestidade,pureza,ouzelo;masde algumaformao homem, ointerior
homem,emseuslugaressecretosnuncafoi quebradae entregue aDeus,suavidainterioré
não é uma grande via para a mensagemdoofGodtransmissão,opoderde Deus.De alguma
forma,a auto
e nãoDeus governaosanto de maissagrado. Em algumlugar,todosinconscientesparasi
mesmo,alguns
nonconductorespiritualtocouseuinterior,eacorrente divinatemsido
preso.Seuserinteriornuncasentiusua falênciaespiritualprofunda,asuaabsoluta
impotência;ele nuncaaprendeuagritarcom um gritoinefável de auto-desesperoe
auto-desamparoaté opoderde Deuseo fogode Deusveme enche,purifica,fortalece.
Auto-estima,auto-capacidade emalgunsperniciousshape difamoue violouotemplo
que deve serconsideradosagradoporDeus.Vivificante pregaçãocustaopregadormuito -
morte para o ego,crucificaçãopara o mundo,ofrutodo trabalhoda sua alma.pregação
Crucificado
só pode dar vida.Pregaçãocrucificadosópode virde um homemcrucificado.
Capítulo3 A letramata
Durante estaafliçãofui levadoaexaminarmylifeemrelaçãoàeternidade pertodoque eu
tinhafeitoquandonogozode saúde.Neste examerelativoaoexercíciode
meusdeveresparacommeussemelhantescomoumhomem, umministrocristão,e umoficial
de
a Igreja,fiquei aprovadopelaminhaprópriaconsciência;masemrelaçãoao meuRedentore
Salvadoro resultadofoi diferente.Minhasdeclaraçõesde gratidãoe obediênciaamorosanão
têmqualquer
proporçãode minhasobrigaçõespararesgate,preservaçãoe me apoiando,atravésda
vicissitudesdavida,desde ainfânciaaté avelhice.A friezadomeuamora Ele que os amou
primeiro
me e temfeitomuitopormimoprimidoe me confundido;e paracompletara minha
caráter indigno,eunãotinhasóesqueceude melhoraragraça dada a extensãoda

9. meudevere privilégio,masporfaltade melhoriateve,enquantocheiode perplexidade
cuidadose de trabalho,caiu de primeiro amorZelândia.Euestavaconfusa,me humilhei,
implorouamisericórdia,e renovouaminhaaliançase esforçare dedicar-me semreservasa
o SenhorBispo.-- McKendree
A pregaçãoque mata pode ser,e geralmente é,ortodoxo - dogmaticamente,inviolavelmente
ortodoxa.Nósamamosortodoxia.Ele é bom.É o melhor.É o,ensinoclaralimpa
da Palavrade Deus,os troféusconquistadospelaverdade emseuconflitocomoerro,os
diquesque afé
temlevantadocontraas inundaçõesdesoladorasde misbelief honestoouimprudente ou
descrença;mas
ortodoxia,claroe duro comocristal,suspiciousandmilitante,podeser,masa letrawellshaped,
bem-nomeado,e bemaprendida,aletraque mata. Nadaé tão mortoquantoum morto
ortodoxia,tambémmortoaespecular,tambémdeadtopensar,estudar,ouparaorar.
A pregaçãoque mata pode ter umavisãoe compreensãodosprincípios,pode seracadêmicae
crítica emsabor,pode ter todasas minúciasofthe derivaçãoe gramáticada carta, pode
sercapaz de cortar a letraemseu padrão perfeito,e illume-locomoPlatãoe Cíceropode ser
iluminado,podeestudá-locomoadvogadoestudaseuslivros-textoparaformarsuabreve ou
defender
seucaso, e ainda sercomo uma geada,umageada matança.Carta pregação pode ser
eloqüente,
esmaltadocompoesiae retórica,polvilhadocomoraçãotemperadacomsensação,iluminada
pelogênioe aindaestesser,masos enormesoucastas,montagensdispendiosas,oraroe
belasfloresque caixãodocadáver.A pregação que mata pode sersem
bolsade estudos,nãomarcado por qualquerfrescurade pensamentoousentimento,e
vestidosde maugosto
generalidadesouespecialidadesinsípidas,comestiloirregulares,desleixados,saboreando
nemde armário
nemde estudo,agraciadonempelopensamento,expressãoouoração.Sobtal pregação como
amplae total desolação!howprofoundamorte espiritual!
Esta letrapregação trata da superfície e sombradascoisas,e não as coisas

10. si.Ele não penetranointeriordapeça. Nãotemnenhumavisãoprofunda,nãoháforte
compreensão,avidaocultada Palavrade Deus.É verdade parao exterior,masoexterioré o
casco
que deve serquebradoe perfuradasparao kernel.A carta pode servestido,de modoa
atrair e estarna moda,mas a atração nãoé emdireçãoa Deus,nemé a moda para
céu.A falhaestáno pregador.Deusnão o fez.Ele nuncaesteve no
mãos de Deus,comoo barro nas mãos do oleiro.Ele temestadoocupadocomo sermão,oseu
pensoue acabamento,assuas forçasde desenhoe impressionantes;masascoisasprofundas
de Deustem
nunca foi procurado,estudado,compreendido,experimentadoporele.Ele nuncaparoudiante
"tronoalto e exaltado,"nuncaouviuamúsicaserafins,nuncavi a visãonem
sentiuoque terrível santidade,e gritouemtotal abandonoe desesperosoba
sensaçãode fraquezae culpa,e teve suavidarenovada,ocoração tocado,purgado,
inflamadopelabrasavivadoaltar de Deus.Seuministériopode chamaras pessoaspara ele,
para a
Igreja,à formae cerimônia;masnãoverdadeirosdesenhosaDeus,nãodoce,santoe divino
comunhãoinduzido.A Igrejatemsidoafrescos,masnãoedificado,masnãoagradou
santificado.A vidaé suprimida;umfrioestánoar de verão;o soloé cozido.A cidade de
nossoDeustorna-se a cidade dosmortos;a Igrejaum cemitério,nãoumexércitoaguerrido.
Louvore oração são sufocados;isdeadadoração.Opregadorea pregaçãotêm
ajudouo pecado,nãosantidade;infernopovoado,nãoocéu.
Pregaçãoque mata é a pregação semoração. Sema oração, o pregadorcria morte,
e nãoa vida.O pregadorque é fraco na oração é débil emforçasvivificantes.a
pregadorque se aposentoua oração comoum elementovisível e largamente predominante
emsua
própriopersonagemrapadoapregação de seupodervivificantedistintivo.profissional
orandoexiste e será,masprofissional orandoajudaapregaçãode seumortal
trabalho.Calafriosorandoprofissionaise matatantopregandoe orando.Grande parte da
laxista

11. devoçãoe preguiçoso,atitudesirreverentesemcongregacional orandosãoatribuíveisa
orandoprofissional nopúlpito.Longo,discursiva,secae inane sãoasorações em
muitospúlpitos.Semunçãooude coração, elescaemcomouma geadamatandoem todasas
graças de
adoração. OraçõesDeath-negociaçãoque são.Todovestígiode devoçãopereceusob
sua respiração.Omaismorto theyare quantomaiselescrescem.Umapeloparabreve oração,
viver
orando,verdadeirocoraçãorezando,rezandopelaholyspirit - direto,específico,ardente,
simples,
untuosonopúlpito - estáem ordem.Uma escolapara ensinarospregadorescomoorar,como
Deus
conta a oração, seriamaisbenéficoparaa verdadeirapiedade,averdadeiraadoração,e
verdadeirapregação
que todasas escolasteológicas.
Pare!Pausa!Considere!Onde estamos?Oque estamosfazendo?Pregandoparamatar?
rezandopara
matar? Orar a Deus!ogrande Deus,oCriador de todosos mundos,oJuizde todos oshomens!
o que
reverência!oque simplicidade!oque sinceridade!Que verdade noíntimo,é exigido!
Comoreal que deve ser!Comosaudável!OraçãoaDeus o exercíciomaisnobre,oesforçomais
elevado
do homem,acoisa maisreal!Nãodevemosdescartarpregaçãopara sempre amaldiçoadoque
mata e
oração que mata, e fazera coisareal,a coisa maispoderosa - oração orando,lifecreating
pregação,trazer a força maispoderosapara afetaro céuea terra e desenhar
Inesgotável de Deuse tesouroaberto paraa necessidadeeamendicânciadohomem?
Capítulo4 Tendênciasque devemserevitadas
VamosmuitasvezesolhaparaBrainerdnosbosquesdaAméricaderramandosuaalma antes
Deuspara os pagãos perecendosemcujasalvaçãonadapoderiafazê-lofeliz.
Oração - segredooraçãofervorosacrença - estáno rootof toda a piedade pessoal.A
conhecimentocompetente dalíngua,onde ummissionáriovive,umlevee ganhar

12. temperamento,umcoração entregue aDeusnoarmário religião - estes,estassãoas
realizações
que,maisdo que todoo conhecimento,outodososoutrospresentes,vai caber-nosatornar-
se os instrumentosde
Deusna grande obra da redençãohumana.-- Irmandade de Carrey,Serampore
Há duas tendênciasextremasnoministério.Aqueleé fechar-se paraforade
relaçõescomas pessoas.Omonge,o eremitaeramilustraçõesdeste;elesfecharam
-se fora doshomensa sermaiscom Deus.Elesnão conseguiram, é claro.Onossoser com
Deusé de uso apenascomogastamosseusbenefíciosinestimáveis sobre oshomens.Esta
idade,nemcom
pregador,nemcom as pessoas,é muitomaisa intençãode Deus.Nossoanseionãoé assim.
fechamos
nos para o nossoestudo,nósnostornamosestudantes,leitoresávidos,vermesdaBíblia,
fabricantesde sermões,
conhecidaporliteratura,pensamentoe sermões;maso povoe Deus,onde estãoeles?Fora
de coração, longe docoração. Ospregadoresque sãograndespensadores,grandesalunos
deve sero
maiordas orações,ou entãoelesvãosero maiordos apóstatas,osprofissionaissemcoração,
racionalista,menosdoque omínimode pregadoresnaestimativade Deus.
A outra tendênciaé popularizarcompletamente oministério.Ele nãoé maisum homemde
Deus,
mas um homemde negócios,dopovo.Ele nãoreza,porque a sua missãoé para o povo.Se
ele pode moveraspessoas,criarum interesse,umasensaçãonareligiãofavorof,uminteresse
em
O trabalhoda Igreja- ele estásatisfeito.Suarelaçãopessoal comDeusnãoé um fator emseu
trabalho.
A oração tempouco ounenhumlugaremseusplanos.O desastre e ruinof tal ministérionão
pode
sercalculadopelaaritméticaterrena.Oque o pregadorestáemoração a Deus,para si,para
seupovo,assimé o seu poder de verdade obemaos homens,tal a suaverdadeira
fecundidade,suaverdadeirafidelidade
para Deus,para o homem,para o tempo,paraa eternidade.

13. É impossível parao pregadorpara manterseuespíritoemharmoniacom a naturezadivinade
sua
vocação semmuitaoração. Que o pregadorpor força de devere de fidelidadelaboriosa
para o trabalhoea rotinado ministériopode manter-se naguarniçãoe fitnessé umsério
erro.Mesmo a tomadade sermão,incessante e tributaçãocomoumaarte,como um dever,
como umtrabalho,ou como um
prazer,vai ocupar e endurecer,vai estrangethe coração,pornegligênciadaoração,da parte
de Deus.
O cientistaperde Deusnanatureza.Opregadorpode perdera Deusemseusermão.
Oração refrescao coração do pregador,a mantémemsintoniacomDeuse emsintoniacom
as pessoas,levantaoseuministérioforadoar friode uma profissão,frutificade rotinae
move cada roda com o poderfacilityandde umaunçãodivina.
O Sr. Spurgeondiz:"É claroque o pregadorestáacimade todosos outrosdistinguiucomoum
homemde
oração. Ele ora como um cristãocomum, maisele eraum hipócrita.Ele rezamaisdo que
cristãoscomuns,maisele foi desqualificadoparaocargo que assumiu.Se você,como
ministrosnãosãomuitode oração, você é tobe pena.Se você se tornar negligente emsagrado
devoção,nãosó você vai ter de ser pitiedbutseupovotambém,e vemodia em
que sereisenvergonhadose confundidos.Todasasnossasbibliotecase estudossãomeros
vazioemcomparação com os nossosarmários.Nossosperíodosde jejume oraçãono
Tabernáculo
foramelevadosdias,naverdade;nuncatemportado céu ficoumaisamplo;nuncater nossos
corações
esteve maispertodaglóriacentral ".
A oração que faz umministériode oraçãonãoé um poucorezandocolocar comocolocamos
sabor a dar-lhe umtapa agradável,masa rezar deve estarnocorpo, e formar o
sangue e ossos.A oração é nenhumdeverpequeno,putintoumcanto;desempenhonão
fragmentada
feitosapartir dosfragmentosde tempoque foramarrancadas e outros negócios
compromissosdavida;masissosignificaque omelhordonossotempo,ocoração donosso
tempoe

14. força deve serdado.Issonão significaque oarmárioabsorbedinoestudoouengolidos
nas atividadesde funçõesministeriais;masissosignificaque oprimeiroarmário,oestudoe
actividades
segundo,tantoestudoe atividadesrefrescoue fezeficienteporparte docloset.A oração que
afetaum ministériodeve givetone avidade alguém.A oração que dá cor e dobrado
a personagemnãoé agradável,passatempoapressada.Ele deveentrartãofortemente no
coração e
vidade Cristocomo "grande clamor e lágrimas"fez;deve atrairsuaalma emuma agoniade
desejoque Paulofez;deveseruminwroughtfire e forçacomoo "eficaz,fervorosa
oração "de James;deve serdessaqualidade que,quandocolocadonoincensáriode ouroe
indignadodiante de Deus,trabalhaespasmosespirituaispoderosase revoluções.
A oração não é um hábitopouco presopara nós enquantoestávamosvinculadosaavental da
nossamãe
cordas; tampoucoé um pouco trimestre decentede graçaum minutodisse maisde umahora
do jantar,
mas é um trabalhomaissériode nossosanosmais graves.Elaenvolve maisde tempoe
apetite doque osnossosdiningsmaislongasoufestasmaisricas.A oração que faz com que
grande parte da nossa
pregardeve serfeitoemmuitoda.O caráter da nossa oração determinaráo
caráter da nossapregação.Luz orando fará pregaçãoluz.faz da oração
pregaçãoforte,dá-unção,e torna-loficar.Em cada ministériode pesoparaobem,
oração sempre foi umnegóciosério.
O pregadordeve sereminentementeumhomemde oração.Seucoração deve se formarno
escolade oração. Na escolade oração só o coração aprendera pregar.nenhumaprendizado
pode compensara faltade orar. Semseriedade,nãodiligência,nenhumestudo,prendas
vontade
suprira sua falta.
Conversandocomoshomenspara Deusé uma grande coisa,mas falar com Deuspara os
homensé aindamaior.ele
nunca vai falarbeme com verdadeirosucessocomoshomensparaDeusque não tenha
aprendidobemcomo

15. para falar com Deuspara os homens.Maisdoque isso,palavrassemoração no púlpitoe fora
dele são
amortecimentode palavras.
Capítulo5 A oração,o Grande Essencial
Você sabe o valorda oração: é preciousbeyondtodopreço.Nunca,nuncanegligenciá-lo-
Oração Sir ThomasBuxtoné a primeiracoisa,asegundacoisa,a terceiracoisanecessáriapara
um ministro.Ore,então,meuqueridoirmão:rezem, rezem, rezem - EdwardPayson
ORAÇÃO,navidado pregador,emestudodopregador,no púlpitodopregador,deve serum
conspícuoe uma força e anall-coloraçãotodo-impregnaçãoingrediente.Ele nãodeve jogar
parte secundária,serum merorevestimento.Paraele,isgivenparaestarcomo seu Senhor
"durante todaa noite em
oração. "O pregador,para treinar-se emoraçãoabnegado,é acusadode olharpara o seu
Mestre,que,"levantando-seumgrande tempoantesdodia,saiu,e foi para a solitária
lugar,e ali orava."estudooughttodopregadorser um armário,umBetel,umaltar,um
visão,e uma escada,que cada pensamentopode subirparaocéu antesque ele foi manward;
que cada parte dosermãopode ser perfumadopeloardocéu e fezgraves,
porque Deusestavanoestudo.
Comoo motor nunca se move até que o fogo iskindled,porissoa pregação,com todasas suas
máquinas,
perfeição,e polonês,estáemumpontomorto,na medidaemque osresultadosespirituais
estãoemcausa, até
oração acendeue criou o vapor.A textura,finura,eaforçado
sermãoé comotanto lixoamenosque o poderosoimpulsodaoraçãoé nele,porele,e
por trás dele.Opregadordeve,coma oração, colocarDeus nosermão.O pregador deve,por
oração, moverde Deuspara com o povo,antesque ele pode moveraspessoasa Deuspor suas
palavras.
O pregadordeve tertidoaudiênciae prontoacessoa Deusantesque ele possateracesso
para o povo.Um caminhoabertopara Deuspara o pregadoré a garantiamais segurade um
caminhoabertopara
as pessoas.

16. É necessáriorepetire reiterarque aoração, comoum merohábito,comouma performance
ido
atravésde rotina oude umaforma profissional,isacoisamortae podre.Essa oração tem
nenhumaligaçãocoma oração para que suplicamos.Estamosenfatizandoaverdadeira
oração, que
engajae se põe emchamas toda elementode altadopregadorser - a oração que é
nascidoda uniãovital comCristoe da plenitudedoEspíritoSanto,que brota
profundos,fontestransbordantesde ternacompaixão,solicitude imortal paraohomemdo
bemeterno;umzeloconsumirparaa glóriade Deus;uma convicçãoprofundada
trabalhodifícil e delicadadopregadore da necessidade imperiosade ajudaomaispoderoso
de Deus.
Orandoancorada nessessolenesconvicçõesprofundase é aúnica verdadeiraoração.
Pregaçãoapoiadopor tal oração é a únicapregaçãoque semeiaassementesdaeterna
vidano coração do homeme constrói os homensparao céu.
É verdade que pode haverpregaçãopopular,pregaçãoagradável,tendopregação,
pregaçãode muitaforça intelectual,literáriae inteligente,coma sua medidae formade
boa,com pouca ou nenhumaorar;mas a pregaçãoque assegurao propósitode Deusna
pregação
deve nascerde oração a partirdo textode exórdio,entregue comaenergiaeoespíritode
oração, seguidoe feitogerminar,e mantidaemvigorvital nocoração da
ouvintespororaçõesdopregador,muitotempodepoisdaocasiãotempassado.
Podemosdesculparapobrezaespiritual de nossapregação,emmuitosaspectos,maso
verdadeirosegredo
será encontradanafaltade oração urgente dapresençade Deusno poderdo Espírito
Espírito.Existeminúmerospregadoresque podementregarsermõesmagistraisapósasua
fim;mas osefeitossãode curta duração e não entrar como umfator emtudo para as regiões
da
o espírito,onde aguerra terrível entre Deuse Satanás,o céueo inferno,estásendotravada
porque elesnãosãofeitospoderosamentemilitantandespiritualmentevitoriosopelaoração.

17. Os pregadoresque ganhamresultadospoderososparaDeussãoos homensque têm
prevalecidoemsua
articuladoscomDeusere se aventurarpara pleitearcomoshomens.Ospregadoresque sãoos
maispoderosos
emseusarmárioscom Deussão os maispoderososemseuspúlpitoscomoshomens.
Os pregadoressãopessoashumanas,e sãoexpostostoandmuitasvezesapanhadospelas
fortesdriftingsde
correnteshumanos.Oraré umtrabalhoespiritual;e danaturezahumananão gosta de
tributação,
trabalhoespiritual.A naturezahumanaquervelejarparao céusob umabrisa favorecendo,um
completo,
mar lisa.A oração é humilhartrabalho.Ele humilhaointelectoeoorgulho,crucificaa
vanglória,
e assinanossafalênciaespiritual,e tudoissoé difícil paracarne e sangue de suportar. é
maisfácil não orar do que bearthem.Entãochegamosa umdos maleschorandodesses
tempos,
talvezde todosos tempos - pouca ounenhumaoração.Dessasdoismales,talvezpoucaoração
é
piordo que nenhumaoração.Poucoisa orandoespécie de fazde conta,um salvopara o
consciência,umafarsae umailusão.
O pequenoestimativacolocamosemoraçãoé evidenteapartirdo poucotempoque damosa
ele.otempo
dada à oração pelasscarcelycounts médiapregadornasomadototal diário.
Notinfrequentlythe preacher'sonlyprayingisbyhisbedside inhisnightdress,readyfor
bedand sooninit, with,perchance the additionof afew hastysnatchesof prayerere he is
dressedinthe morning.Howfeeble,vain,andlittle issuchprayingcomparedwiththe
time andenergydevotedtoprayingbyholymeninand outof the Bible!How poorand
meanour petty,childishprayingisbeside the habitsof the true menof Godin all ages!
To menwho thinkprayingtheirmainbusinessanddevote timetoitaccordingto this
highestimate of itsimportance doesGodcommitthe keysof hiskingdom, andbythem
doeshe workhis spiritual wondersinthisworld.Greatprayingisthe sign andseal of

18. God's great leadersandthe earnestof the conqueringforceswithwhichGodwill crown
theirlabors.
The preacheris commissionedtoprayas well asto preach.His missionisincompleteif
he doesnot do bothwell.The preachermayspeakwithall the eloquence of menandof
angels;butunlesshe canpray witha faithwhichdrawsall heaventohisaid,his
preachingwill be "assoundingbrassora tinklingcymbal"forpermanentGod-honoring,
soul-savinguses.
Chapter6 A PrayingMinistry Successful
The principal cause of my leannessandunfruitfulnessisowingtoanunaccountable
backwardnesstopray.Ican write or reador converse orhearwitha readyheart; mas
prayeris more spiritual andinwardthananyof these,andthe more spiritual anydutyis
the more my carnal heartis apt to start fromit.Prayerand patience andfaithare never
desapontados.Ihave longsincelearnedthatif everIwas to beaministerfaithandprayer
mustmake me one.WhenI can findmyheart inframe and libertyforprayer,everything
else iscomparativelyeasy.-- RichardNewton
IT may be put downas a spiritual axiomthatineverytrulysuccessful ministryprayeris
an evidentandcontrollingforce -- evidentandcontrollinginthe life of the preacher,
evidentandcontrollinginthe deepspiritualityof hiswork.A ministrymaybe a very
thoughtful ministrywithoutprayer;the preachermaysecure fame andpopularitywithout
prayer;the whole machineryof the preacher'slife andworkmaybe run withoutthe oil of
prayeror withscarcelyenoughtogrease one cog; but no ministrycanbe a spiritual one,
securingholinessinthe preacherandinhispeople,withoutprayerbeingmade anevident
and controllingforce.
The preacherthat prays indeedputsGodintothe work.God doesnotcome intothe
preacher'sworkas a matterof course or ongeneral principles,buthe comesbyprayer
and special urgency.ThatGod will be foundof usinthe day that we seekhimwiththe
whole heartisas true of the preacheras of the penitent.A prayerful ministryisthe only

19. ministrythatbringsthe preacherintosympathywiththe people.Prayerasessentially
unitestothe humanas itdoesto the divine.A prayerful ministryisthe onlyministry
qualifiedforthe highofficesandresponsibilitiesof the preacher.Colleges,learning,
books,theology,preachingcannotmake apreacher,butprayingdoes.The apostles'
commissiontopreachwasa blanktill filledupbythe Pentecost whichprayingbrought.
A prayerful ministerhaspassedbeyondthe regionsof the popular,beyondthe manof
mere affairs,of secularities,of pulpitattractiveness;passedbeyondthe ecclesiastical
organizeror general intoasublimerandmightierregion,the regionof the spiritual.
Holinessisthe productof hiswork;transfiguredheartsandlivesemblazonthe realityof
hiswork,itstruenessandsubstantial nature.Godiswithhim.Hisministryisnot
projectedonworldlyorsurface principles.He isdeeplystoredwithanddeeplyschooled
inthe thingsof God. Hislong,deepcommuningswithGodabouthispeople andthe
agonyof hiswrestlingspirithave crownedhimasa prince inthe thingsof God. a
icinessof the mere professional haslongsince meltedunderthe intensityof hispraying.
The superficial resultsof manya ministry,the deadnessof others,are tobe foundinthe
lack of praying.Noministrycansucceedwithoutmuchpraying,andthis prayingmustbe
fundamental,ever-abiding,ever-increasing.The text,the sermon,shouldbe the resultof
prayer.The studyshouldbe bathedinprayer,all itsdutiessoimpregnatedwithprayer,its
whole spiritthe spiritof prayer."Iam sorrythat I have prayedso little,"wasthe deathbed
regretof one of God's chosenones,a sadand remorseful regretforapreacher."Iwant a
life of greater,deeper,truerprayer,"saidthe late ArchbishopTait.Somaywe all say,and
thismay we all secure.
God's true preachershave beendistinguishedbyone greatfeature:theywere menof
prayer.Differingofteninmanythings,theyhave alwayshada commoncenter.eles
may have startedfromdifferentpoints,andtraveledbydifferentroads,butthey
convergedtoone point:theywere one inprayer.Godto there was the centerof attraction,
and prayerwas the paththat ledto God. These menprayednotoccasionally,notalittle at

20. regularor at odd times;buttheysoprayedthattheirprayersentered intoandshapedtheir
characters; theysoprayedas to affecttheirownlivesandthe livesof others;theyso
prayedas to make the historyof the Churchand influence the currentof the times.eles
spentmuchtime inprayer,not because theymarkedthe shadow onthe dial or the hands
on the clock,but because itwasto themso momentousandengagingabusinessthatthey
couldscarcelygive over.
Prayerwas to themwhatit wasto Paul,a strivingwithearnesteffortof soul;oque era
to Jacob,a wrestlingandprevailing;whatitwasto Christ,"strongcryingand tears."
They"prayedalwayswithall prayerandsupplicationinthe Spirit,andwatching
thereuntowithall perseverance.""The effectual,ferventprayer"hasbeenthe mightiest
weaponof God's mightiestsoldiers.The statementinregardtoElijah -- thathe "was a
man subjecttolike passionsaswe are,and heprayedearnestlythatitmightnotrain:and
it rainednoton the earthby the space of three yearsand six months.Andhe prayed
again,and the heavengave rain,andthe earth broughtforthher fruit" -- comprehendsall
prophetsandpreacherswhohave movedtheirgenerationforGod,andshowsthe
instrumentbywhichtheyworkedtheirwonders.
Chapter7 Much Time ShouldBe Givento Prayer
The great mastersand teachersinChristiandoctrine have alwaysfoundinprayertheir
highestsource of illumination.Nottogobeyondthe limitsof the EnglishChurch,itis
recordedof BishopAndrewsthathe spentfive hoursdailyonhisknees.amaior
practical resolvesthathave enrichedandbeautifiedhumanlife inChristiantimeshave
beenarrivedatin prayer.-- CanonLiddon
WHILE manyprivate prayers,inthe natureof things,mustbe short;while public
prayers,as a rule,oughtto be short andcondensed;whilethere isample roomforand
value puton ejaculatoryprayer -- yetinour private communionswithGodtime isa
feature essential toitsvalue.Muchtime spentwithGodisthe secretof all successful
praying.Prayerwhichisfeltasa mightyforce isthe mediate orimmediate productof

21. much time spentwithGod.Ourshort prayersowe theirpointandefficiencytothe long
onesthat have precededthem.The shortprevailingprayercannotbe prayedbyone who
has notprevailedwithGodina mightierstruggle of longcontinuance.Jacob'svictoryof
faithcouldnot have beengainedwithoutthatall-nightwrestling.God'sacquaintance is
not made bypop calls.God doesnotbestow hisgiftsonthe casual or hastycomersand
goers.MuchwithGod alone isthe secretof knowinghimandof influence withhim.ele
yieldstothe persistencyof afaiththatknowshim.He bestowshisrichestgifts upon
those whodeclare theirdesire forandappreciationof those giftsbythe constancyaswell
as earnestnessof theirimportunity.Christ,whointhisaswell asotherthingsisour
Example,spentmanywhole nightsinprayer.Hiscustomwasto pray much.He had his
habitual place topray. Many longseasonsof prayingmake uphishistoryand character.
Paul prayedday andnight.Ittooktime fromveryimportantinterestsforDaniel topray
three timesaday. David'smorning,noon,andnightprayingwere doubtlessonmany
occasionsveryprotracted.While we have nospecificaccountof the time these Bible
saintsspentinprayer,yetthe indicationsare thattheyconsumedmuchtime inprayer,
and on some occasionslongseasonsof prayingwastheircustom.
We wouldnothave anythinkthat the value of theirprayersisto be measuredbythe
clock,but our purpose istoimpressonour mindsthe necessityof beingmuchalone with
God; and that if thisfeature hasnotbeenproducedbyour faith,thenourfaithisof a
feeble andsurface type.
The men whohave mostfullyillustratedChristintheircharacter,andhave most
powerfullyaffectedthe worldforhim, have beenmenwhospentsomuchtime withGod
as to make it a notable feature of theirlives.CharlesSimeondevotedthe hoursfromfour
till eightinthe morningtoGod. Mr. Wesleyspenttwohoursdailyinprayer.He beganat
fourin the morning.Of him,one whoknew himwell wrote:"He thoughtprayertobe
more hisbusinessthananythingelse,andIhaveseenhimcome outof hisclosetwitha
serenityof face nexttoshining."JohnFletcherstainedthe wallsof hisroombythe breath

22. of hisprayers.Sometimeshe wouldprayall night;always,frequently,andwithgreat
seriedade.His whole life wasalife of prayer."Iwouldnotrise frommyseat,"he said,
"withoutliftingmyheartto God."His greetingtoa friendwasalways:"DoI meetyou
praying?"Luthersaid:"If I fail to spendtwohoursinprayer eachmorning,the devil gets
the victorythroughthe day.I have so muchbusinessIcannotgeton withoutspending
three hoursdailyinprayer."He had a motto:"He that has prayedwell hasstudiedwell."
ArchbishopLeightonwassomuchalone withGodthat he seemedtobe in a perpetual
meditation."Prayerandpraise were hisbusinessandhispleasure,"sayshisbiographer.
BishopKenwasso much withGodthat hissoul was saidto be God-enamored.elefoi
withGod before the clockstruckthree everymorning.BishopAsburysaid:"I propose to
rise at fouro'clock as oftenas I can and spendtwohoursinprayer andmeditation."
Samuel Rutherford,the fragrance of whose pietyisstill rich,rose atthree inthe morning
to meetGod inprayer.JosephAlleinearose atfouro'clockforhisbusinessof prayingtill
eight.If he heardothertradesmenplyingtheirbusinessbefore he wasup,he would
exclaim:"Ohowthisshamesme!Dothnot my Master deserve more thantheirs?"ele
whohas learnedthistrade well drawsatwill,onsight,andwithacceptance of heaven's
unfailingbank.
One of the holiestandamongthe mostgiftedof Scotch preacherssays:"Iought to spend
the besthours incommunionwithGod.Itismynoblestandmostfruitful employment,
and isnot to be thrust intoa corner.The morninghours,fromsix toeight,are the most
uninterruptedandshouldbe thusemployed.Afterteaismybesthour,and that shouldbe
solemnlydedicatedtoGod.I oughtnot to give upthe goodoldhabitof prayerbefore
goingto bed;but guardmust be keptagainstsleep.WhenIawake inthe night,I oughtto
rise and pray.A little time afterbreakfastmightbe giventointercession."Thiswasthe
prayingplanof Robert McCheyne.The memorable Methodistbandintheirpraying
shame us."From fourto five inthe morning,private prayer;fromfive tosix inthe
evening,privateprayer."

23. JohnWelch,the holyand wonderfulScotchpreacher,thoughtthe dayill spentif he did
not spendeightortenhoursin prayer.He kepta plaidthathe mightwrap himself when
he arose to prayat night.Hiswife wouldcomplainwhenshe foundhimlyingonthe
groundweeping.He wouldreply:"Owoman,Ihave the soulsof three thousandto
answerfor,and I knownothow itis withmanyof them!"
Chapter8 Examplesof PrayingMen
The act of prayingis the veryhighestenergyof whichthe humanmindiscapable;
praying,thatis,withthe total concentrationof the faculties.The greatmass of worldly
menand of learnedmenare absolutelyincapable of prayer.-- SamuelTaylorColeridge
BISHOPWILSON says: InH. Martyn's journal the spiritof prayer,the time he devoted
to the duty,and hisfervorinit are the firstthingswhichstrike me."
Paysonwore the hard-woodboardsintogrooveswhere hiskneespressedsooftenandso
longa.Hisbiographersays:"Hiscontinuinginstantinprayer,be hiscircumstanceswhat
theymight,isthe most noticeable factinhishistory,andpointsoutthe dutyof all who
wouldrival hiseminency.Tohisardentandperseveringprayersmustnodoubtbe
ascribedina great measure hisdistinguishedandalmostuninterruptedsuccess."
The Marquis DeRenty,towhomChristwasmost precious,orderedhisservantto call him
fromhis devotionsatthe endof half an hour.The servantat the time saw hisface through
an aperture.Itwas markedwithsuchholinessthathe hatedtoarouse him.His lipswere
moving,buthe was perfectlysilent.He waiteduntilthree half hourshadpassed;entãoele
calledtohim,whenhe arose from hisknees,sayingthatthe half hourwasso short when
he was communingwithChrist.
Brainerdsaid:"I love tobe alone inmy cottage,where Ican spendmuchtime inprayer."
WilliamBramwellisfamousinMethodistannalsforpersonal holinessandforhis
wonderful successinpreachingandforthe marvelousanswerstohisprayers.Forhours
at a time he wouldpray.He almostlivedonhisknees.He wentoverhiscircuitslike a
flame of fire.The fire waskindledbythe timehespentinprayer.He oftenspentasmuch

24. as fourhours ina single seasonof prayerinretirement.
BishopAndrewesspentthe greatestpartof five hourseverydayinprayerand devotion.
Sir HenryHavelockalwaysspentthe firsttwohoursof each dayalone withGod.Se o
encampmentwasstruckat 6 A.M.,he wouldrise atfour.
Earl Cairnsrose dailyat six o'clockto secure an hour anda half forthe study of the Bible
and forprayer,before conductingfamilyworship ataquarterto eight.
Dr. Judson'ssuccessinprayeris attributable tothe factthathe gave much time to prayer.
He sayson thispoint:"Arrange thyaffairs,ifpossible,sothatthoucanst leisurelydevote
twoor three hourseverydaynotmerelytodevotional exercisesbuttothe veryact of
secretprayerand communionwithGod.Endeavorseventimesadayto withdraw from
businessandcompanyandliftupthy soul to God inprivate retirement.Beginthe dayby
risingaftermidnightanddevotingsome timeamidthe silence anddarknessof the night
to thissacredwork.Letthe hour of openingdawnfindthee atthe same work.Deixe o
hoursof nine,twelve,three,six,andnine atnightwitnessthe same.Be resolute inhis
cause.Make all practicable sacrificestomaintainit.Considerthatthytime isshort,and
that businessandcompanymustnotbe allowedtorob thee of thyGod." Impossible,say
we,fanatical directions!Dr.Judsonimpressedanempire forChristandlaidthe
foundationsof God'skingdomwithimperishablegranite inthe heartof Burmah.ele foi
successful,one of the fewmenwhomightilyimpressedthe worldforChrist.Manymen
of greatergiftsandgeniusandlearningthanhe have made nosuchimpression;sua
religiousworkislike footstepsinthe sands,buthe has engravenhisworkonthe
adamant.The secretof itsprofundityandendurance isfoundinthe factthathe gave time
to prayer.He keptthe ironred-hotwithprayer,andGod's skill fashioneditwithenduring
potência.Nomancando a great and enduringworkforGod whoisnot a man of prayer,
and no mancan be a man of prayerwhodoesnot give muchtime topraying.
Is ittrue that prayerissimplythe compliance withhabit,dull andmechanical?A petty
performance intowhichwe are trainedtill tameness,shortness,superficialityare itschief

25. elements?"Isittrue that prayeris,asisassumed,little else thanthe half-passive playof
sentimentwhichflowslanguidlyonthroughthe minutesorhoursof easyreverie?"Canon
Liddoncontinues:"Letthose whohave reallyprayedgivethe answer.Theysometimes
describe prayerwiththe patriarchJacobasa wrestlingtogetherwithanUnseenPower
whichmay last,notunfrequentlyinanearnestlife,late intothe nighthours,orevento
the breakof day.SometimestheyrefertocommonintercessionwithSt.Paul asa
concertedstruggle.Theyhave,whenpraying,theireyesfixedonthe GreatIntercessorin
Gethsemane,uponthe dropsof bloodwhichfall tothe groundinthat agonyof
resignationandsacrifice.Importunityisof the essence of successfulprayer.Importunity
meansnotdreaminessbutsustainedwork.Itisthroughprayerespeciallythatthe
kingdomof heavensufferethviolence andthe violenttake itbyforce.Itwasa sayingof
the late BishopHamiltonthat"Noman is likelytodomuchgoodin prayerwhodoesnot
beginbylookinguponitinthe lightof a worktobe preparedforand perseveredinwith
all the earnestnesswhichwe bringtobearuponsubjectswhichare inour opinionatonce
mostinterestingandmostnecessary."
Chapter9 Beginthe Day withPrayer
I oughtto pray before seeinganyone.OftenwhenIsleeplong,ormeetwithothersearly,
it iselevenortwelveo'clockbefore Ibeginsecretprayer.Thisisawretchedsystem.é
unscriptural.Christarose before dayandwentintoasolitaryplace.Davidsays:"Early
will Iseekthee";"Thoushaltearlyhearmyvoice.''Familyprayer losesmuchof its
powerandsweetness,andIcan dono good to those whocome to seekfromme.a
conscience feelsguilty,the soul unfed,the lampnottrimmed.Thenwheninsecretprayer
the soul is oftenoutof tune,I feel itisfar bettertobeginwithGod-- to see hisface first,
to getmy soul nearhim before itisnearanother.-- RobertMurrayMcCheyne
THE menwhohave done the most forGod in thisworldhave beenearlyontheirknees.
He whofrittersawaythe earlymorning,itsopportunityand freshness,inotherpursuits
than seekingGodwill make poorheadwayseekinghimthe restof the day.If God isnot

26. firstinour thoughtsand effortsinthe morning,he will be inthe lastplace the remainder
of the day.
Behindthisearlyrisingandearlyprayingisthe ardentdesirewhichpressesusintothis
pursuitafterGod.Morning listlessnessisthe index toalistlessheart.The heartwhichis
behindhandinseekingGodinthe morninghas lostitsrelishforGod.David'sheart was
ardentafterGod. He hungeredandthirstedafterGod,andsohe soughtGod early,before
daylight.The bedandsleepcouldnotchainhissoul initseagernessafterGod.Cristo
longedforcommunionwithGod;andso, risingagreat while before day,he wouldgoout
intothe mountaintopray. The disciples,whenfullyawake andashamedof their
indulgence,wouldknow where tofindhim.Wemightgothroughthe listof menwho
have mightilyimpressedthe worldforGod,andwe wouldfindthemearlyafterGod.
A desire forGodwhichcannot breakthe chainsof sleepisaweakthingandwill dobut
little goodforGod afterithas indulgeditself fully.The desire forGodthatkeepssofar
behindthe devil andthe worldatthe beginningof the daywill nevercatchup.
It isnot simplythe gettingupthatputsmen to the frontand makesthemcaptaingenerals
inGod's hosts,but itis the ardentdesire whichstirsandbreaksall self-indulgentchains.
But the gettingupgivesvent,increase,andstrengthtothe desire.If theyhadlaininbed
and indulgedthemselves,the desire wouldhave beenquenched.The desire arousedthem
and putthemon the stretch forGod, and thisheedingandactingonthe call gave their
faithitsgrasp on God and gave to theirheartsthe sweetestandfullestrevelationof God,
and thisstrengthof faithand fullnessof revelationmade themsaintsbyeminence,and
the haloof theirsainthoodhascome downtous,and we have enteredonthe enjoyment
of theirconquests.Butwe take ourfill inenjoyment,andnotinproductions.We build
theirtombsand write theirepitaphs,butare careful notto follow theirexamples.
We needagenerationof preacherswhoseekGodandseekhimearly,whogive the
freshnessanddewof efforttoGod,and securein returnthe freshnessandfullnessof his
powerthat he may be as the dewto them, full of gladnessandstrength,throughall the

27. heatand laborof the day.Our lazinessafterGodisour cryingsin.The childrenof this
worldare farwiserthanwe.They are at it earlyand late.We do notseekGod withardor
and diligence.NomangetsGod whodoesnotfollow hardafterhim, andno soul follows
hard afterGod whois notafter himinearlymorn.
Chapter10 Prayerand DevotionUnited
There isa manifest wantof spiritual influenceonthe ministryof the presentday.Ifeel it
inmy owncase and I see itinthat of others.Iamafraidthere istoo much of a low,
managing,contriving,maneuveringtemperofmindamongus.We are layingourselves
out more than isexpedienttomeetone man'staste andanotherman's prejudices.a
ministryisa grandand holyaffair,andit shouldfindinusa simple habitof spiritanda
holybuthumble indifference toall consequences.The leadingdefectinChristian
ministersiswantof a devotional habit.-- RichardCecil
NEVERwas there greaterneedforsaintlymenandwomen;more imperative still isthe
call for saintly,God-devotedpreachers.The worldmoveswithgiganticstrides.Satanhas
hisholdand rule onthe world,andlaborsto make all itsmovementssubserve hisends.
Religionmustdoitsbestwork,presentitsmostattractive andperfectmodels.Byevery
means,modernsainthoodmustbe inspiredbythe loftiestidealsandbythe largest
possibilitiesthroughthe Spirit.Paul livedonhisknees,thatthe EphesianChurchmight
measure the heights,breadths,anddepthsof anunmeasurable saintliness,and"be filled
withall the fullnessof God."Epaphraslaidhimselfoutwiththe exhaustivetoil and
strenuousconflictof ferventprayer,thatthe ColossianChurchmight"standperfectand
complete inall the will of God."Everywhere,everythinginapostolictimeswasonthe
stretchthat the people of Godmighteach and "all come inthe unityof the faith,andof
the knowledge of the Sonof God,unto a perfectman,untothe measure of the stature of
the fullnessof Christ."Nopremiumwasgiventodwarfs;noencouragementtoanold
babyhood.The babieswere togrow;the old,insteadof feeblenessandinfirmities,were
to bearfruitin oldage,and be fat and flourishing.The divinestthinginreligionisholy

28. menand holywomen.
No amountof money,genius,orculture canmove thingsforGod. Holinessenergizing
the soul,the whole manaflame withlove,withdesireformore faith,more prayer,more
zeal,more consecration -- thisisthe secretof power.These we needandmusthave,and
menmustbe the incarnationof thisGod-inflameddevotedness.God'sadvance hasbeen
stayed,hiscause crippled:hisname dishonoredfortheirlack.Genius(thoughthe loftiest
and mostgifted),education(thoughthe mostlearnedandrefined),position,dignity,
place,honorednames,highecclesiasticscannotmovethischariotof ourGod. It isa fiery
one,andfieryforcesonlycan move it.The geniusof a Miltonfails.The imperial strength
of a Leofails.Brainerd'sspiritcanmove it.Brainerd'sspiritwasonfire for God,on fire
for souls.Nothingearthly,worldly,selfish came intoabate inthe leastthe intensityof
thisall-impellingandall-consumingforce andflame.
Prayeris the creator as well asthe channel ofdevotion.The spiritof devotionisthe spirit
of prayer.Prayeranddevotionare unitedassoul andbodyare united,aslife andthe heart
are united.There isnoreal prayerwithoutdevotion,nodevotionwithoutprayer.a
preachermustbe surrenderedtoGodinthe holiestdevotion.He isnota professional
man,his ministryisnota profession;itisadivine institution,adivinedevotion.ele é
devotedtoGod.His aim,aspirations,ambitionare forGod andto God, and to such
prayeris as essential asfoodistolife.
The preacher,above everythingelse,mustbe devotedtoGod.The preacher'srelationsto
God are the insigniaandcredentialsof hisministry.Thesemustbe clear,conclusive,
unmistakable.Nocommon,surface type of pietymustbe his.If he doesnotexcel in
grace, he doesnotexcel atall.If he doesnot preachby life,character,conduct,he does
not preachat all.If hispietybe light,hispreachingmaybe assoftandas sweetasmusic,
as giftedasApollo,yetitsweightwill be afeather'sweight,visionary,fleetingasthe
morningcloudor the earlydew.DevotiontoGod -- there isno substitute forthisinthe
preacher'scharacter andconduct. Devotiontoa Church,to opinions,toanorganization,

29. to orthodoxy -- these are paltry,misleading,andvainwhentheybecome the source of
inspiration,the animusof acall.Godmust bethe mainspringof the preacher'seffort,the
fountainandcrownof all histoil.The name and honorof JesusChrist,the advance of his
cause,mustbe all inall.The preachermusthave noinspirationbutthe name of Jesus
Christ,noambitionbutto have himglorified,notoil butforhim.Thenprayerwill be a
source of hisilluminations,the meansof perpetual advance,the gauge of hissuccess.a
perpetual aim,the onlyambition,the preachercancherishistohave God withhim.
Neverdidthe cause of God needperfectillustrationsof the possibilitiesof prayermore
than inthisage.No age,no person,will be ensamplesof the gospel powerexceptthe
agesor personsof deepandearnestprayer.A prayerlessage willhave butscantmodels
of divine power.Prayerlessheartswill neverrise tothese Alpineheights.The age maybe
a betterage than the past, butthere is an infinite distancebetweenthe bettermentof an
age bythe force of an advancingcivilizationanditsbettermentbythe increase of
holinessandChristlikenessbythe energyof prayer.The Jewswere muchbetterwhen
Christcame thanin the agesbefore.Itwasthe goldenage of theirPharisaicreligion.
Theirgoldenreligiousage crucifiedChrist.Nevermore praying,neverlesspraying;
nevermore sacrifices,neverlesssacrifice;neverlessidolatry,nevermore idolatry;nunca
more of temple worship,neverlessof Godworship;nevermore of lipservice, neverless
of heartservice (Godworshipedbylipswhose heartsandhandscrucifiedGod'sSon!);
nevermore of churchgoers,neverlessof saints.
It isprayer-force whichmakessaints.Holycharactersare formedbythe powerof real
praying.The more of true saints,the more ofpraying;the more of praying,the more of
true saints.
Chapter11 An Example of Devotion
I urge upon youcommunionwithChristagrowingcommunion.There are curtainstobe
drawnaside inChristthat we neversaw,and new foldingsof love inhim.IdespairthatI
shall everwintothe far endofthatlove,there are so manypliesinit.Therefore digdeep,

30. and sweatandlabor andtake painsforhim, and setby as muchtime inthe dayfor him
as youcan. We will be woninthe labor.-- Samuel Rutherford
God has now,andhas had, manyof these devoted,prayerful preachers -- meninwhose
livesprayerhasbeenamighty,controlling,conspicuousforce.The worldhasfelttheir
power,Godhas feltandhonoredtheirpower,God'scause has movedmightilyand
swiftlybytheirprayers,holinesshasshone outintheircharacterswitha divine
effulgence.
God foundone of the menhe waslookingforinDavidBrainerd,whose workandname
have gone intohistory.He was noordinaryman,butwascapable of shininginany
company,the peerof the wise andgiftedones,eminentlysuitedtofill the mostattractive
pulpitsandto laboramongthe mostrefinedandthe cultured,whowere soanxiousto
secure himfortheirpastor.PresidentEdwardsbearstestimonythathe was"a youngman
of distingushedtalents,hadextraordinaryknowledgeof menandthings,hadrare
conversational powers,excelledinhisknowledgeoftheology,andwastruly,forone so
young,an extraordinarydivine,andespeciallyinall mattersrelatingtoexperimental
religião.Ineverknew hisequalof hisage andstandingforclear andaccurate notionsof
the nature and essence of truereligion.Hismannerinprayerwasalmostinimitable,such
as I have veryrarelyknownequaled.Hislearningwasveryconsiderable,andhe had
extraordinarygiftsforthe pulpit."
No sublimerstoryhasbeenrecordedinearthlyannalsthanthatof DavidBrainerd;não
miracle attestswithdivinerforce the truth of Christianitythanthe life andworkof sucha
homem.Alone inthe savage wildsof America,strugglingdayandnightwithamortal
disease,unschooledinthe care of souls,havingaccesstothe Indiansfora large portion
of time onlythroughthe bunglingmediumof apaganinterpreter,withthe Wordof God
inhis heartand inhishand,hissoul firedwiththe divine flame,aplace andtime to pour
out hissoul to God inprayer,he fullyestablishedthe worshipof Godandsecuredall its
graciousresults.The Indianswere changedwithagreatchange fromthe lowest

31. besotmentsof anignorantanddebasedheathenismtopure,devout,intelligentChristians;
all vice reformed,the external dutiesof Christianityatonce embracedandactedon;
familyprayersetup;the Sabbathinstitutedandreligiouslyobserved;the internal graces
of religionexhibitedwithgrowingsweetnessandstrength.The solutionof these resultsis
foundinDavidBrainerdhimself,notinthe conditionsoraccidentsbutinthe man
Brainerd.He was God's man,for God firstandlast and all the time.Godcouldflow
unhinderedthroughhim.The omnipotence of grace wasneitherarrestednorstraightened
by the conditionsof hisheart;the whole channel wasbroadenedandcleanedoutfor
God's fullestandmostpowerful passage,sothatGodwithall hismightyforcescould
come downon the hopeless,savage wilderness,andtransformitintohisbloomingand
fruitful garden;fornothingistoohard forGod to do if he can getthe right kindof a man
to do itwith.
Brainerdlivedthe lifeof holinessandprayer.Hisdiaryisfull andmonotonouswiththe
record of hisseasonsof fasting,meditation,andretirement.The time he spentinprivate
prayeramountedtomany hoursdaily."WhenIreturnhome,"he said,"and give myself to
meditation,prayer,andfasting,mysoul longsformortification,self-denial,humility,and
divorcementfromall thingsof the world.""Ihave nothingtodo,"he said,"withearthbut
onlyto laborinit honestlyforGod.I do notdesire tolive one minute foranythingwhich
earthcan afford."Afterthishighorderdidhe pray:"Feelingsomewhatof the sweetness
of communionwithGodandthe constrainingforce of hislove,andhow admirablyit
captivatesthe soul andmakesall the desiresandaffectionstocenterinGod,I setapart
thisday forsecretfastingand prayer,toentreatGodto directandblessme withregardto
the great workwhichI have inviewof preachingthe gospel,andthatthe Lord would
returnto me and showme the lightof hiscountenance.Ihadlittle life andpowerinthe
forenoon.Nearthe middle of the afternoonGodenabledme towrestle ardentlyin
intercessionformyabsentfriends,butjustatnightthe Lordvisitedme marvelouslyin
prayer.I thinkmysoul was neverinsuchagonybefore.Ifeltnorestraint,forthe

32. treasuresof divine grace were openedtome.Iwrestledforabsent friends,forthe
ingatheringof souls,formultitudesof poorsouls,andformanythat I thoughtwere the
childrenof God,personally,inmanydistantplaces.Iwasinsuchagony fromsunhalf an
hour hightill neardarkthat I was all overwetwithsweat,butyetit seemedtome Ihad
done nothing.O,mydear Saviourdidsweatbloodforpoorsouls!Ilongedformore
compassiontowardthem.Ifeltstill inasweetframe,underasense of divine loveand
grace, andwentto bedinsuch a frame,withmy heartseton God."It was prayerwhich
gave to hislife andministrytheirmarvelouspower.
The men of mightyprayerare menof spiritual might.Prayersneverdie.Brainerd'swhole
life wasa life of prayer.Byday andby nighthe prayed.Before preachingandafter
preachinghe prayed.Ridingthroughthe interminable solitudesof the forestshe prayed.
On hisbedof straw he prayed.Retiringtothe dense andlonelyforests,he prayed.hora
by hour,day afterday,earlymorn andlate atnight,he was prayingandfasting,pouring
out hissoul,interceding,communingwithGod.He waswithGod mightilyinprayer,and
God was withhimmightily,andbyit he beingdeadyetspeakethandworketh,andwill
speakand worktill the endcomes,andamongthe to gloriousonesof thatgloriousdayhe
will be withthe first.
JonathanEdwardssays of him:"His life showsthe rightwaytosuccessin the worksof
the ministry.He soughtitas the soldierseeksvictoryinasiege orbattle;or as a man that
runs a race for a greatprize.Animatedwithlove toChristandsouls,how didhe labor?
Alwaysfervently.Notonlyinwordanddoctrine,inpublicandinprivate,butinprayers
by dayand night,wrestlingwithGodinsecretand travailinginbirthwithunutterable
groans andagonies,until Christwasformedinthe heartsof the people towhomhe was
enviado.Like atrue sonof Jacob,he perseveredinwrestlingthroughall the darknessof the
night,until the breakingof the day!"
Chapter12 Heart PreparationNecessary
For nothingreachesthe heartbutwhat isfromthe heartor piercesthe conscience but

33. whatcomesfrom a livingconscience.--WilliamPennInthe morningwasmore engaged
inpreparingthe headthan the heart.Thishas beenfrequentlymyerror,andI have
alwaysfeltthe evil of itespeciallyinprayer.Reformitthen,OLord!Enlarge myheart
and I shall preach.-- RobertMurrayMcCheyne A sermonthat has more headinfused
intoit thanheart will notborne home withefficacytothe hearers.-- RichardCecil
PRAYER,withitsmanifoldandmany-sidedforces,helpsthe mouthtoutterthe truth in
itsfullnessandfreedom.The preacheristobe prayedfor,the preacherismade by prayer.
The preacher'smouthis to be prayedfor;his mouthisto be openedandfilledbyprayer.
A holymouthismade by praying,bymuch praying;a brave mouthismade by praying,
by muchpraying.The Church and the world,Godand heaven,owe muchtoPaul's
mouth;Paul'smouthoweditspowerto prayer.
How manifold,illimitable,valuable,andhelpfulprayeristothe preacherin somany
ways,at so manypoints,ineveryway!One greatvalue is,ithelpshisheart.
Prayingmakesthe preachera heartpreacher.Prayerputsthe preacher'sheart intothe
preacher'ssermon;prayerputsthe preacher'ssermonintothe preacher'sheart.
The heart makesthe preacher.Menof greathearts are great preachers.Menof badhearts
may doa measure of good,butthisis rare.The hirelingandthe strangermayhelpthe
sheepatsome points,butit isthe good shepherdwiththe goodshepherd'sheartwhowill
blessthe sheepandanswerthe full measure of the shepherd'splace.
We have emphasizedsermon-preparationuntil wehavelostsightof the importantthing
to be prepared -- the heart.A preparedheartismuch betterthana preparedsermon.A
preparedheartwill make apreparedsermon.
Volumeshave beenwrittenlayingdownthe mechanicsandtaste of sermon-making,until
we have become possessedwiththe ideathatthisscaffoldingisthe building.ojovem
preacherhas beentaughttolay outall hisstrengthonthe form, taste,and beautyof his
sermonas a mechanical andintellectual product.We have therebycultivatedavicious
taste among the people andraisedthe clamorfortalentinsteadof grace,eloquence

34. insteadof piety,rhetoricinsteadof revelation,reputationandbrilliancy insteadof
holiness.Byitwe have lostthe true ideaof preaching,lostpreachingpower,lostpungent
convictionforsin,lostthe richexperience andelevatedChristiancharacter,lostthe
authorityoverconsciencesandliveswhichalwaysresultsfrom genuine preaching.
It wouldnotdo to saythat preachersstudytoo much.Some of themdo not studyat all;
othersdo notstudyenough.Numbersdonotstudythe right wayto show themselves
workmenapprovedof God.But ourgreat lack isnot inheadculture,butinheart culture;
not lackof knowledgebutlackof holinessisoursadand tellingdefect -- notthatwe
knowtoo much,but thatwe donot meditate onGodand hisword andwatch and fastand
pray enough.The heartisthe great hindrancetoourpreaching.Wordspregnantwith
divine truthfindinourheartsnonconductors;arrested,theyfall shornandpowerless.
Can ambition,thatlustsafterpraise andplace,preachthe gospel of Himwhomade
himself of noreputationandtookonHim the formof a servant?Can the proud,the vain,
the egotistical preachthe gospel of himwhowasmeekandlowly?Canthe bad-tempered,
passionate,selfish,hard,worldlymanpreachthe systemwhichteemswithlongsuffering,self-
denial,tenderness,whichimperativelydemandsseparationfromenmity
and crucifixiontothe world?Canthe hirelingofficial,heartless,perfunctory,preachthe
gospel whichdemandsthe shepherdtogive hislifeforthe sheep?Canthe covetousman,
whocounts salaryand money,preachthe gospel till he hasgleanedhisheartandcan say
inthe spiritof ChristandPaul inthe wordsof Wesley:"Icount itdung anddross; I
trample itundermy feet;I(yetnotI, but the grace of God inme) esteemitjustasthe
mire of the streets,Idesire itnot,Iseekitnot?" God's revelationdoesnotneedthe light
of humangenius,the polishandstrengthof humanculture,the brilliancyof human
thought,the force of humanbrainsto adornor enforce it;but itdoesdemandthe
simplicity,the docility,humility,andfaithof achild'sheart.
It was thissurrenderandsubordinationof intellectandgeniustothe divine andspiritual
forceswhichmade Paul peerlessamongthe apostles.Itwasthiswhichgave Wesleyhis
powerandradicated hislaborsin the historyof humanity.Thisgave toLoyolathe

35. strengthto arrestthe retreatingforcesof Catholicism.
Our greatneedisheart-preparation.Lutherhelditasan axiom:"He whohas prayedwell
has studiedwell."We donotsay that menare nottothinkanduse theirintellects;buthe
will use hisintellectbestwhocultivateshisheartmost.We donotsay that preachers
shouldnotbe students;butwedosaythat theirgreatstudyshouldbe the Bible,andhe
studiesthe Bible bestwhohaskepthisheartwithdiligence.We donotsaythat the
preachershouldnotknowmen,buthe will be the greateradeptinhumannature whohas
fathomedthe depthsandintricaciesof hisownheart.We dosay that while the channel of
preachingisthe mind,itsfountainisthe heart;youmay broadenanddeepenthe channel,
but if youdo not lookwell tothe purityanddepthof the fountain,youwillhave adry or
pollutedchannel.We dosaythat almostany man of commonintelligencehassense
enoughto preach the gospel,butveryfew have grace enoughtodo so.We do say that he
whohas struggledwithhisownheartandconqueredit;whohas taughtit humility,faith,
love,truth,mercy,sympathy,courage;whocanpour the rich treasuresof the heartthus
trained,througha manlyintellect,all surchargedwiththe powerof the gospel onthe
consciencesof hishearers -- sucha one will bethe truest,mostsuccessful preacherinthe
esteemof hisLord.
Chapter13 Grace from the Heart Ratherthan the Head
Studynot to be a fine preacher.Jerichosare blowndownwithrams'horns.Looksimply
untoJesusfor preachingfood;andwhatiswantedwill be given,andwhatisgivenwill
be blessed,whetheritbe abarleygrainora wheatenloaf,acrust or a crumb.seu
mouthwill be a flowingstreamora fountainsealed,accordingasyourheartis. Avoidall
controversyinpreaching,talking,orwriting;preachnothingdownbutthe devil,and
nothingupbut JesusChrist.-- Berridge
THE heartis the Saviourofthe world.Headsdonotsave.Genius,brains,brilliancy,
strength,natural giftsdonot save.The gospel flowsthroughhearts.All the mightiest
forcesare heartforces.All the sweetestandloveliestgracesare heartgraces.Great hearts

36. make great characters;great heartsmake divine characters.Godislove.There isnothing
greaterthan love,nothinggreaterthanGod.Heartsmake heaven;heavenislove.hásim
nothinghigher,nothingsweeter,thanheaven.Itisthe heartand not the head which
makesGod's greatpreachers.The heartcountsmucheverywayinreligion.ocoração
mustspeakfrom the pulpit.The heartmusthearin the pew.Infact, we serve Godwith
our hearts.Headhomage doesnotpass currentin heaven.
We believe thatone of the seriousandmostpopularerrorsof the modernpulpitisthe
puttingof more thoughtthan prayer,of more head thanof heartin itssermons.Bighearts
make bigpreachers;goodheartsmake good preachers.A theological school toenlarge
and cultivate the heartisthe goldendesideratumof the gospel.The pastorbindshis
people tohimandruleshispeople byhisheart.Theymayadmire hisgifts,theymaybe
proudof hisability,theymaybe affectedforthe time byhissermons;butthe stronghold
of hispowerishisheart.His scepterislove.The throne of hispowerishisheart.
The good shepherdgiveshislife forthe sheep.Headsnevermake martyrs.Itisthe heart
whichsurrendersthe life toloveandfidelity.Ittakesgreatcourage tobe a faithful pastor,
but the heartalone can supplythiscourage.Giftsandgeniusmaybe brave,but itis the
giftsandgeniusof the heart andnot of the head.
It iseasiertofill the headthanit isto prepare the heart.It is easiertomake a brain
sermonthana heartsermon.Itwasheartthat drew the Son of God fromheaven.é
heartthat will drawmento heaven.Menof heartis whatthe worldneedstosympathize
withitswoe,to kissawayitssorrows,to compassionate itsmisery,andtoalleviate its
dor.Christwaseminentlythe manof sorrows,because he waspreeminentlythe manof
coração.
"Give me thy heart,"isGod's requisitionof men."Give me thyheart!"isman's demand
of man.
A professional ministryisaheartlessministry.Whensalaryplaysagreatpart inthe
ministry,the heartplayslittle part.We maymake preachingourbusiness,andnotputour

37. heartsin the business.He whoputsself tothe frontinhispreachingputsheart to the rear.
He whodoesnot sow withhisheartinhis studywill neverreapaharvestforGod. a
closetisthe heart's study.We will learnmore abouthow to preachand whatto preach
there thanwe can learninour libraries."Jesuswept"isthe shortestandbiggestverse in
Bíblia.Itishe whogoesforth weeping(notpreachinggreatsermons),bearing
preciousseed,whoshall come againrejoicing,bringinghissheaveswithhim.
Prayinggivessense,bringswisdom,broadensandstrengthensthe mind.The closetisa
perfectschool-teacherandschoolhouse forthe preacher.Thoughtisnotonlybrightened
and clarifiedinprayer,butthoughtisborninprayer.We can learnmore in an hour
praying,whenprayingindeed,thanfrommanyhoursinthe study.Booksare inthe closet
whichcan be foundand readnowhere else.Revelationsare made inthe closetwhichare
made nowhere else.
Chapter14 Unctiona Necessity
One brightbenisonwhichprivate prayerbringsdownuponthe ministryisan
indescribable andinimitable something -- anunctionfromthe HolyOne . . . . Se o
anointingwhichwe bearcome notfromthe Lordof hosts,we are deceivers,since onlyin
prayercan we obtainit.Letuscontinue instantconstantferventinsupplication.Deixe oseu
fleece lie onthe thrashingfloorof supplicationtill itiswetwiththe dew of heaven.--
CharlesHaddonSpurgeon
ALEXANDERKNOX,a Christianphilosopherof the daysof Wesley,notanadherent
but a strongpersonal friendof Wesley,andwithmuchspiritual sympathywiththe
Wesleyanmovement,writes:"Itisstrange and lamentable,butIverilybelieve the factto
be that exceptamongMethodistsandMethodistical clergyman,thereisnotmuch
interestingpreachinginEngland.The clergy,toogenerallyhave absolutelylostthe art.
There is,I conceive,inthe greatlawsof the moral worlda kindof secretunderstanding
like the affinitiesinchemistry,betweenrightlypromulgatedreligioustruthandthe
deepestfeelingsof the humanmind.Where the one isdulyexhibited,the otherwill

38. respond.Didnotour heartsburn withinus? -- butto thisdevoutfeelingisindispensable
inthe speaker.Now,Iamobligedtostate frommy ownobservationthatthisonction,as
the Frenchnot unfitlytermit,isbeyondall comparisonmore likelytobe foundin
Englandina Methodistconventicle thaninaparishChurch.This,and thisalone,seems
reallytobe that whichfillsthe Methodisthousesandthinsthe Churches.Iam, I verily
think,noenthusiast;Iam a mostsincere andcordial churchman,a humble discipleof the
School of Hale andBoyle,of Burnetand Leighton.Now Imustaverthat whenI wasin
thiscountry,two yearsago,I didnot hear a single preacherwhotaughtme like myown
great mastersbutsuch as are deemedMethodistical.AndInow despairof gettingan
atom of heart instructionfromanyotherquarter.The Methodistpreachers(howeverI
may notalwaysapprove of all theirexpressions)domostassuredlydiffusethistrue
religionandundefiled.Ifeltreal pleasure lastSunday.Icanbearwitnessthatthe
preacherdidat once speakthe words of truth and soberness.There wasnoeloquence --
the honestmanneverdreamedof sucha thing -- butthere was far better:acordial
communicationof vitalizedtruth.Isayvitalizedbecause whathe declaredtoothersit
was impossible nottofeel he livedonhimself."
Thisunctionisthe art of preaching.The preacherwhoneverhadthisunctionneverhad
the art of preaching.The preacherwhohas lostthisunctionhaslostthe art of preaching.
Whateverotherarts he may have andretain -- the art of sermon-making,the artof
eloquence,the art of great, clearthinking,the artof pleasinganaudience -- he haslostthe
divine artof preaching.ThisunctionmakesGod'struth powerful andinteresting,draws
and attracts, edifies,convicts,saves.
ThisunctionvitalizesGod'srevealedtruth,makesitlivingandlife-giving.EvenGod's
truth spokenwithoutthisunctionislight,dead,anddeadening.Thoughaboundingin
truth,thoughweightywiththought,thoughsparklingwithrhetoric,thoughpointedby
logic,thoughpowerful byearnestness,withoutthisdivine unctionitissuesindeathand
not inlife.Mr.Spurgeonsays:"I wonderhowlongwe mightbeatourbrainsbefore we

39. couldplainlyputintowordwhatis meantbypreachingwithunction.Yethe who
preachesknowsitspresence,andhe who hearssoondetectsitsabsence.Samaria,in
famine,typifiesadiscourse withoutit.Jerusalem, withherfeastof fatthings,full of
marrow,may representasermonenrichedwithit.Everyone knowswhatthe freshnessof
the morningiswhenorientpearlsaboundoneveryblade of grass,butwhocan describe
it,much lessproduce itof itself?Suchisthe mysteryof spiritualanointing.We know,but
we cannot tell tootherswhatit is.It isas easyas itis foolish,tocounterfeitit.Unctionis
a thingwhichyoucannot manufacture,anditscounterfeitsare worse thanworthless.No
entanto,
it is,initself,priceless,andbeyondmeasure needful if youwouldedifybelieversand
bringsinnerstoChrist."
Chapter15 Unction,the Markof True Gospel Preaching
Speakforeternity.Above all things,cultivate yourownspirit.A wordspokenbyyou
whenyourconscience isclearandyour heartfull of God's Spiritisworthten thousand
wordsspokeninunbelief andsin.RememberthatGod,andnot man,must have the glory.
If the veil of the world'smachinerywere liftedoff,how muchwe wouldfindisdone in
answerto the prayersof God's children.-- RobertMurrayMcCheyne
UNCTION isthat indefinable,indescribable somethingwhichanold,renownedScotch
preacherdescribesthus:"There issometimessomewhatinpreachingthatcannotbe
ascribedeithertomatteror expression,andcannotbe describedwhatitis,or from
whence itcometh,butwitha sweetviolence itpiercethintothe heartandaffectionsand
comesimmediatelyfromthe Word;butif there be any wayto obtainsuch a thing,itis by
the heavenlydispositionof the speaker."
We call it unction.Itisthisunctionwhichmakesthe wordof God"quickand powerful,
and sharperthanany two-edgedsword,piercingeventothe dividingasunderof soul and
spirit,andof the jointsandmarrow,and a discernerof the thoughtsandintentsof the
heart."It isthisunctionwhichgivesthe wordsof the preachersuch point,sharpness,and
power,and whichcreatessuchfrictionandstir inmany a deadcongregation.omesmo

40. truthshave beentoldinthe strictnessof the letter,smoothashumanoil couldmake them;
but nosignsof life,notapulse throb;all aspeaceful asthe grave andas dead.o mesmo
preacherinthe meanwhile receivesabaptismof thisunction,the divineinflatusison
him,the letterof the Word has beenembellishedandfiredbythismysteriouspower,and
the throbbings of life begin -- life whichreceivesorlife whichresists.The unction
pervadesandconvictsthe conscience andbreaksthe heart.
Thisdivine unctionisthe feature whichseparatesanddistinguishestrue gospel preaching
fromall other methodsof presentingthe truth,andwhichcreatesa wide spiritual chasm
betweenthe preacherwhohasitand the onewhohasitnot. Itbacks and impregns
revealedtruthwithall the energyof God.UnctionissimplyputtingGodinhisown word
and on hisownpreachers.Bymightyandgreat prayerfulnessandbycontinual
prayerfulness,itisall potentialandpersonal tothe preacher;itinspiresandclarifieshis
intellect,givesinsightandgraspand projectingpower;itgivestothe preacherheart
power,whichisgreaterthanheadpower;and tenderness,purity,force flow fromthe
heartby it.Enlargement,freedom,fullnessof thought,directnessandsimplicityof
utterance are the fruitsof thisunction.
Oftenearnestnessismistakenforthisunction.He whohasthe divine unctionwill be
earnestinthe veryspiritual nature of things,butthere maybe a vast deal of earnestness
withoutthe leastmixture of unction.
Earnestnessandunctionlookalike fromsome pointsof view.Earnestnessmaybe readily
and withoutdetectionsubstitutedormistakenforunction.Itrequiresaspiritual eye anda
spiritual taste todiscriminate.
Earnestnessmaybe sincere,serious,ardent,andpersevering.Itgoesata thingwithgood
will,pursuesitwithperseverance,andurgesitwithardor;putsforce init.But all these
forcesdo notrise higherthanthe mere human.The manisinit -- the whole man,withall
that he has of will andheart,of brainand genius,of planningandworkingandtalking.
He has sethimself tosome purpose whichhasmasteredhim,andhe pursuestomasterit.

41. There may be none of God in it.There may be little of Godinit, because there issomuch
of the man init.He may presentpleasinadvocacyof hisearnestpurpose whichpleaseor
touch andmove or overwhelmwithconvictionof theirimportance;andinall this
earnestnessmaymove alongearthlyways,beingpropelledbyhumanforcesonly,itsaltar
made by earthlyhandsanditsfire kindledbyearthlyflames.Itissaidof a rather famous
preacherof gifts,whose constructionof Scripture wastohisfancyor purpose,thathe
"grewveryeloquentoverhisownexegesis."Somengrow exceedingearnestovertheir
ownplansor movements.Earnestnessmaybe selfishnesssimulated.
What of unction?Itisthe indefinable inpreachingwhichmakesitpreaching.Éque
whichdistinguishesandseparatespreachingfromall mere humanaddresses.É
divine inpreaching.Itmakesthe preachingsharptothose whoneedsharpness.Itdistills
as the dewto those whoneedtohe refreshed.Itiswell describedas:
"a two-edgedsword
Of heavenlytemperkeen,
Anddouble were the woundsitmade
Whereveritglancedbetween.
'Twas deathto silt;'twaslife
To all who mournedforsin.
It kindledanditsilencedstrife,
Made war and peace within."
Thisunctioncomesto the preachernot inthe studybut inthe closet.Itisheaven's
distillationinanswertoprayer.Itisthe sweetestexhalationof the HolySpirit.ele
impregnates,suffuses,softens,percolates,cuts,andsoothes.Itcarriesthe Wordlike
dynamite,likesalt,likesugar;makesthe Worda soother,an arranger,a revealer,a
searcher;makesthe hearera culpritor a saint,makeshimweeplike achildandlive like a
giant;openshisheartand hispurse as gently,yetasstronglyas the springopensthe
deixa.Thisunctionisnotthe giftof genius.Itisnotfoundinthe hallsof learning.Não

42. eloquence canwooit.Noindustrycanwinit.Noprelatical handscanconferit.É
giftof God -- the signetsetto hisownmessengers.Itisheaven'sknighthoodgiventothe
chosentrue and brave oneswhohave soughtthisanointedhonorthroughmanyanhour
of tearful,wrestlingprayer.
Earnestnessisgoodandimpressive:geniusisgiftedandgreat.Thoughtkindlesand
inspires,butittakesa divinerendowment,amore powerfulenergythanearnestnessor
geniusorthoughtto breakthe chainsof sin,to winestrangedanddepravedheartstoGod,
to repairthe breachesandrestore the Church to heroldways of purityand power.
Nothingbutthisholyunctioncan dothis.
Chapter16 Much Prayerthe Price of Unction
All the minister'seffortswillbe vanityorworse thanvanityif he have not unction.
Unctionmust come downfromheavenandspreada savor and feelingandrelishoverhis
ministry;andamongthe othermeansof qualifyinghimselfforhisoffice,the Bible must
holdthe firstplace,andthe lastalsomustbe giventothe Word of God andprayer.--
RichardCecil
IN the Christiansystemunctionisthe anointingof the HolyGhost,separatinguntoGod's
workand qualifyingforit.Thisunctionisthe one divine enablementbywhichthe
preacheraccomplishesthe peculiarandsavingendsof preaching.Withoutthisunction
there are no true spiritual resultsaccomplished;theresultsandforcesinpreachingdonot
rise above the resultsof unsanctifiedspeech.Without unctionthe formerisaspotentas
the pulpit.
Thisdivine unctiononthe preachergeneratesthroughthe Wordof God the spiritual
resultsthatflowfromthe gospel;andwithoutthisunction,these resultsare notsecured.
Many pleasantimpressionsmay be made,butthese all fall farbelow the endsof gospel
preaching.Thisunctionmaybe simulated.There are manythingsthatlooklike it,there
are manyresultsthatresemble itseffects;buttheyare foreigntoitsresultsandto its
natureza.The fervororsoftnessexcitedbyapatheticoremotional sermonmaylooklike

43. the movementsof the divine unction,buttheyhave nopungent,perpetratingheartbreaking
force.Noheart-healingbalmisthere inthese surface,sympathetic,emotional
movements;theyare notradical,neithersin-searchingnorsin-curing.
Thisdivine unctionisthe one distinguishingfeature thatseparatestrue gospelpreaching
fromall other methodsof presentingtruth.Itbacksand interpenetratesthe revealedtruth
withall the force of God. Itilluminesthe Wordandbroadensand enrichensthe intellect
and empowersittograsp andapprehendthe Word.It qualifiesthe preacher'sheart,and
bringsitto that conditionof tenderness,of purity,of force andlightthatare necessaryto
secure the highestresults.Thisunctiongivestothe preacherlibertyandenlargementof
thoughtand soul -- a freedom,fullness,anddirectnessof utterance thatcanbe securedby
no otherprocess.
Withoutthisunctiononthe preacherthe gospel hasnomore powerto propagate itself
than anyothersystemof truth. Thisisthe sealof itsdivinity.Unctioninthe preacherputs
God inthe gospel.Withoutthe unction,Godisabsent,andthe gospel islefttothe low
and unsatisfactoryforcesthatthe ingenuity,interest,ortalentsof mencan devise to
enforce andprojectitsdoctrines.
It isin thiselementthatthe pulpitoftenerfailsthaninanyotherelement.Justatthis
allimportantpointitlapses.Learningitmayhave,brilliancyandeloquence maydelightand
charm, sensationorlessoffensive methodsmaybringthe populace incrowds,mental
powermayimpressandenforce truthwithall itsresources;butwithoutthisunction,each
and all these will be butasthe fretful assaultof the watersona Gibraltar.Sprayand foam
may coverand spangle;butthe rocksare there still,unimpressedandunimpressible.a
humanheart can no more be sweptof itshardnessand sinbythese human forcesthan
these rockscan be sweptawaybythe ocean'sceaselessflow.
Thisunctionisthe consecrationforce,anditspresence the continuoustestof that
consecration.Itisthisdivine anointingonthe preacherthatsecureshisconsecrationto
God and hiswork.Otherforcesand motivesmaycall himto the work,butthisonlyis
consecration.A separationtoGod's workby the powerof the HolySpiritisthe only

44. consecrationrecognizedbyGodaslegitimate.
The unction,the divine unction,thisheavenlyanointing,iswhatthe pulpitneedsand
musthave.Thisdivine andheavenlyoilputonitbythe impositionof God'shandmust
softenandlubricate the whole man -- heart,head,spirit -- until itseparateshimwitha
mightyseparationfromall earthly,secular,worldly,selfishmotivesandaims,separating
himto everythingthatispure andGodlike.
It isthe presence of thisunctiononthe preacherthatcreatesthe stirandfrictioninmany
a congregation.The same truthshave beentoldinthe strictnessof the letter,butnoruffle
has beenseen,nopainorpulsationfelt.Allisquietasa graveyard.Anotherpreacher
comes,andthismysteriousinfluence isonhim;the letterof the Wordhas beenfiredby
the Spirit,the throesof a mightymovementare felt,itisthe unctionthatpervadesand
stirsthe conscience andbreaksthe heart.Unctionlesspreachingmakeseverythinghard,
dry,acrid, dead.
Thisunctionisnot a memoryor an era of the pastonly;it isa present,realized,conscious
fato.Itbelongstothe experience of the manaswell asto hispreaching.Itisthatwhich
transformshimintothe image of hisdivine Master,aswell asthat by whichhe declares
the truths of Christwithpower.Itissomuch the powerinthe ministryasto make all else
seemfeebleandvainwithoutit,andbyitspresence toatone forthe absence of all other
and feeblerforces.
Thisunctionisnot an inalienable gift.Itisa conditional gift,anditspresence is
perpetuatedandincreasedbythe same processbywhichitwasat firstsecured;por
unceasingprayertoGod, by impassioneddesiresafterGod,byestimatingit,byseekingit
withtirelessardor,bydeemingall else lossandfailure withoutit.
How andwhence comesthisunction?DirectfromGodinanswertoprayer.orando
heartsonlyare the heartsfilledwiththisholyoil;prayinglipsonlyare anointedwiththis
divine unction.
Prayer,muchprayer,is the price of preachingunction;prayer, muchprayer,isthe one,

45. sole conditionof keepingthisunction.Withoutunceasingprayerthe unctionnevercomes
to the preacher.Withoutperseverance inprayer,the unction,likethe mannaoverkept,
breedsworms.
Chapter17 PrayerMarks Spiritual Leadership
Give me one hundredpreacherswhofearnothingbutsinand desire nothingbutGod,
and I care nota strawwhethertheybe clergymenorlaymen;suchalone willshake the
gatesof hell andsetup the kingdomof heavenonearth.Goddoesnothingbutinanswer
to prayer.-- JohnWesley
THE apostlesknewthe necessityandworthof prayertotheirministry.Theyknew that
theirhighcommissionasapostles,insteadof relievingthemfromthe necessityof prayer,
committedthemtoitby a more urgentneed;sothat theywere exceedinglyjealouselse
some otherimportantworkshouldexhausttheirtime andpreventtheirprayingasthey
ought;so theyappointedlaymentolookafterthe delicate andengrossingduties of
ministeringtothe poor,that they(the apostles) might,unhindered,"givethemselves
continuallytoprayerandto the ministryofthe word."Prayerisputfirst,andtheir
relationtoprayerisput moststrongly -- "give themselvestoit,"makinga businessof it,
surrenderingthemselvestopraying,puttingfervor,urgency,perseverance,andtime init.
How holy,apostolicmendevotedthemselvestothisdivineworkof prayer!"Nightand
day prayingexceedingly,"saysPaul."We will give ourselvescontinuallytoprayer"isthe
consensusof apostolicdevotement.How these NewTestamentpreacherslaidthemselves
out inprayerfor God's people!HowtheyputGodinfull force intotheirChurchesby
theirpraying!These holyapostlesdidnotvainlyfancythattheyhadmettheirhighand
solemndutiesbydeliveringfaithfullyGod'sword,buttheirpreachingwasmade tostick
and tell bythe ardor and insistenceof theirpraying.Apostolicprayingwasastaxing,
toilsome,andimperativeasapostolicpreaching.Theyprayedmightilydayandnightto
bringtheirpeople tothe highestregionsof faithandholiness.Theyprayedmightierstill
to holdthemto thishighspiritual altitude.The preacherwhohasneverlearnedinthe

46. school of Christthe highanddivine artof intercessionforhispeoplewillneverlearnthe
art of preaching,thoughhomileticsbe pouredintohimbythe ton,and thoughhe be the
mostgiftedgeniusinsermon-makingand sermon-delivery.
The prayersof apostolic,saintlyleadersdomuchinmakingsaintsof those whoare not
apostles.If the Churchleadersinafteryearshadbeenas particularandferventinpraying
for theirpeople asthe apostleswere,the sad,darktimesof worldlinessandapostasyhad
not marredthe historyand eclipsedthe gloryandarrestedthe advance of the Church.
Apostolicprayingmakesapostolicsaintsandkeepsapostolictimesof purityandpower
inthe Church.
What loftinessof soul,whatpurityandelevationof motive,whatunselfishness,what
self-sacrifice,whatexhaustive toil,whatardorof spirit,whatdivine tactare requisiteto
be an intercessorformen!
The preacheris to layhimself outinprayerforhispeople;notthattheymightbe saved,
simply,butthattheybe mightilysaved.The apostleslaidthemselvesoutinprayerthat
theirsaintsmightbe perfect;notthattheyshouldhave alittlerelishforthe thingsof God,
but that they"mightbe filledwithall the fullness of God."Paul didnotrelyon his
apostolicpreachingtosecure thisend,but"forthiscause he bowedhiskneestothe
Fatherof our Lord JesusChrist."Paul'sprayingcarriedPaul'sconvertsfartheralongthe
highwayof sainthoodthanPaul'spreachingdid.Epaphrasdidasmuch or more by prayer
for the Colossiansaintsthanbyhispreaching.He laboredferventlyalwaysinprayerfor
themthat "theymightstandperfectandcomplete inall the will of God."
Preachersare preeminentlyGod'sleaders.Theyare primarilyresponsible forthe
conditionof the Church.Theyshape itscharacter, give tone anddirectiontoitslife.
Much everywaydependsonthese leaders.Theyshape the timesandthe institutions.a
Church isdivine,the treasure itincasesisheavenly,butitbearsthe imprintof the human.
The treasure isin earthenvessels,anditsmacksof the vessel.The Churchof Godmakes,
or is made by,itsleaders.Whetheritmakesthemorismade by them, itwill be whatits

47. leadersare;spiritual if theyare so,secularif theyare,conglomerate if itsleadersare.
Israel'skingsgave characterto Israel'spiety.A Churchrarelyrevoltsagainstorrises
above the religionof itsleaders.Stronglyspiritual leaders;menof holymight,atthe lead,
are tokensof God's favor;disasterandweaknessfollow the wake of feeble orworldly
líderes.Israel hadfallenlowwhenGodgavechildrentobe theirprincesandbabesto
rule overthem.Nohappystate is predictedbythe prophetswhenchildrenoppressGod's
Israel andwomenrule overthem.Timesof spiritual leadershipare timesof greatspiritual
prosperitytothe Church.
Prayeris one of the eminentcharacteristicsof strongspiritual leadership.Menof mighty
prayerare menof mightandmoldthings.TheirpowerwithGodhas the conquering
tread.
How can a man preachwho doesnotget hismessage freshfromGodinthe closet?como
can he preachwithout havinghisfaithquickened,hisvisioncleared,andhisheart
warmedbyhisclosetingwithGod?Alas,forthe pulpitlipswhichare untouchedbythis
closetflame.Dryandunctionlesstheywill everbe,andtruthsdivine will nevercome
withpowerfrom such lips.Asfaras the real interestsof religionare concerned,apulpit
withouta closetwill alwaysbe abarrenthing.
A preachermaypreach inan official,entertaining,orlearnedwaywithoutprayer,but
betweenthiskindof preachingandsowing God'spreciousseedwithholyhandsand
prayerful,weepingheartsthere isanimmeasurabledistance.
A prayerlessministryisthe undertakerforall God'struth and forGod's Church. ele pode
have the most costlycasketand the mostbeautiful flowers,butitisa funeral,
notwithstandingthe charmful array.A prayerlessChristianwill neverlearnGod'struth;uma
prayerlessministrywill neverbe able toteachGod's truth.Agesof millennialgloryhave
beenlostbya prayerless Church.The comingof our Lord has beenpostponed
indefinitelybyaprayerlessChurch.Hell hasenlargedherself andfilledherdire cavesin
the presence of the deadservice of a prayerlessChurch.

48. The best,the greatestofferingisanofferingof prayer.If the preachersof the twentieth
centurywill learnwell the lessonof prayer,anduse fullythe powerof prayer,the
millenniumwill come toitsnoonere the centurycloses."Praywithoutceasing"isthe
trumpetcall to the preachersof the twentiethcentury.If the twentiethcenturywillget
theirtexts,theirthoughts,theirwords,theirsermonsintheirclosets,the nextcenturywill
finda newheavenanda newearth.The oldsin-stainedandsin-eclipsedheavenandearth
will passawayunderthe powerof a prayingministry.
Chapter18 PreachersNeedthe Prayersof the People
If some Christiansthathave beencomplainingof theirministershadsaidandactedless
before menandhad appliedthemselveswithall theirmighttocry to God for their
ministers -- had,asit were,risenandstormedheavenwiththeirhumble,ferventand
incessantprayersforthem -- theywouldhave beenmuchmore inthe wayof success.--
JonathanEdwards
SOMEHOW the practice of prayingin particularforthe preacherhasfallenintodisuse or
become discounted.Occasionallyhave weheardthe practice arraignedasa
disparagementof the ministry,beingapublicdeclarationbythose whodoitof the
inefficiencyof the ministry.Itoffendsthe pride of learningandself-sufficiency,perhaps,
and these oughttobe offendedandrebukedinaministrythatisso derelictastoallow
themto exist.
Prayer,to the preacher,isnot simplythe dutyof hisprofession,aprivilege,butitisa
necessity.Airisnotmore necessarytothe lungsthanprayeris to the preacher.é
absolutelynecessaryforthe preachertopray.It isan absolute necessitythatthe preacher
be prayedfor. These twopropositionsare weddedintoaunionwhichoughtneverto
knowany divorce:the preachermustpray;the preachermustbe prayedfor.Levará
all the prayinghe can do,and all the prayinghe can getdone,tomeetthe fearful
responsibilitiesandgainthe largest,truestsuccessinhisgreatwork.The true preacher,
nextto the cultivationof the spiritandfactof prayerinhimself,intheirintensestform,

49. covetswitha great covetousnessthe prayersof God'speople.
The holiera man is,the more doeshe estimateprayer;the clearerdoeshe see thatGod
giveshimself tothe prayingones,andthatthe measure of God'srevelationtothe soul is
the measure of the soul'slonging,importunateprayerforGod.Salvationneverfindsits
wayto a prayerlessheart.TheHolySpiritneverabidesinaprayerlessspirit.pregando
neveredifiesaprayerlesssoul.Christknowsnothingof prayerlessChristians.The gospel
cannot be projectedbya prayerlesspreacher.Gifts,talents,education,eloquence,God's
call,cannot abate the demandof prayer,but onlyintensifythe necessityforthe preacher
to pray and to be prayedfor.The more the preacher'seyesare openedtothe nature,
responsibility,anddifficultiesinhiswork,the more will he see,andif he be a true
preacherthe more will he feel,the necessityof prayer;notonlythe increasingdemandto
pray himself,buttocall on otherstohelphimbytheirprayers.
Paul isan illustrationof this.If anymancouldprojectthe gospel bydintof personal
force,bybrain power,byculture,bypersonal grace,byGod's apostoliccommission,
God's extraordinarycall,thatmanwas Paul.Thatthe preachermustbe a mangivento
prayer,Paul isan eminentexample.Thatthe true apostolicpreachermusthave the
prayersof othergoodpeople togive tohisministryitsfull quotaof success,Paul isa
preeminentexample.He asks,he covets,he pleadsinanimpassionedwayforthe helpof
all God's saints.He knewthat inthe spiritual realm, aselsewhere,inunionthere is
strength;thatthe concentrationandaggregationof faith,desire,andprayerincreasedthe
volume of spiritual force untilitbecame overwhelmingandirresistible initspower.unidades
of prayercombined,likedropsof water,make anoceanwhichdefiesresistance.SoPaul,
withhisclearand full apprehensionof spiritual dynamics,determinedtomake his
ministryasimpressive,aseternal,asirresistible asthe ocean,bygatheringall the
scatteredunitsof prayerand precipitatingthemonhisministry.Maynotthe solutionof
Paul'spreeminence inlaborsandresults,andimpressonthe Churchandthe world,be
foundinthisfact that he was able to centeronhimself andhisministrymore of prayer

50. than others?To hisbrethrenatRome he wrote:"Now I beseechyou,brethren,forthe
Lord JesusChrist'ssake,andfor the love of the Spirit,thatye strive togetherwithme in
prayersto God for me."To the Ephesianshesays:"Prayingalwayswithall prayerand
supplicationinthe Spirit,andwatchingthereuntowithall perseverance and supplication
for all saints;andfor me,that utterance maybe givenuntome,thatI mayopenmy mouth
boldly,tomake knownthe mysteryof the gospel."Tothe Colossianshe emphasizes:
"Withal prayingalsoforus, that God wouldopenuntousa door of utterance,to speakthe
mysteryof Christ,forwhichI am alsoin bonds:thatI may make it manifestasIought to
speak."To the Thessalonianshe sayssharply,strongly:"Brethren,prayforus."Paul calls
on the CorinthianChurchtohelphim:"Ye also helpingtogetherbyprayerforus."este
was to be part of theirwork.Theywere to layto the helpinghandof prayer.He inan
additional andclosingcharge tothe ThessalonianChurchaboutthe importance and
necessityof theirprayerssays:"Finally,brethren,prayforus,that the wordof the Lord
may have free course,andbe glorified,evenasitiswithyou:and that we maybe
deliveredfromunreasonableandwickedmen."Heimpressesthe Philippiansthatall his
trialsand oppositioncanbe made subservienttothe spreadof the gospel bythe efficiency
of theirprayersforhim.Philemonwastoprepare a lodgingforhim, forthrough
Philemon'sprayerPaul wasto be hisguest.
Paul'sattitude onthisquestionillustrateshishumilityandhisdeepinsightintothe
spiritual forceswhichprojectthe gospel.Morethanthis,itteachesalessonforall times,
that if Paul was sodependentonthe prayersofGod'ssaintstogive hisministrysuccess,
howmuch greaterthe necessitythatthe prayersof God's saintsbe centeredonthe
ministryof to-day!
Paul didnot feel thatthisurgentpleaforprayerwas tolowerhisdignity,lessenhis
influence,ordepreciate hispiety.Whatif itdid?Letdignitygo,letinfluence be
destroyed,lethisreputationbe marred -- he musthave theirprayers.Called,
commissioned,chiefof the Apostlesashe was,all hisequipmentwasimperfectwithout

51. the prayersof hispeople.Hewrote letterseverywhere,urgingthemtoprayfor him.fazer
youpray for yourpreacher?Do youpray for himinsecret?Publicprayersare of little
worthunlesstheyare foundedonorfollowedupbyprivate praying.The prayingonesare
to the preacheras Aaron andHur were toMoses.Theyholdup hishandsand decide the
issue thatisso fiercelyragingaroundthem.
The pleaand purpose of the apostleswere toputthe Church to praying.Theydidnot
ignore the grace of cheerful giving.Theywere notignorantof the place whichreligious
activityandworkoccupiedan the spiritual life;butnotone nor all of these,inapostolic
estimate orurgency,couldat all compare innecessityandimportance withprayer.a
mostsacred and urgentpleaswere used,the mostfervidexhortations,the most
comprehensive andarousingwordswere utteredtoenforce the all-importantobligation
and necessityof prayer.
"Putthe saintseverywhere topraying"isthe burdenof the apostoliceffortandthe
keynote of apostolicsuccess.JesusChristhadstriventodothisinthe daysof his
personal ministry.Ashe wasmovedbyinfinitecompassionatthe ripenedfieldsof earth
perishingforlackof laborersandpausinginhisownpraying -- he triestoawakenthe
stupidsensibilitiesof hisdisciplestothe dutyof prayer as he chargesthem, "Prayye the
Lord of the harvestthathe will sendforthlaborersintohisharvest.""Andhe spake a
parable untothemto thisend,that menoughtalwaystopray and not to faint."
Chapter19 DeliberationNecessarytoLargestResultsfrom
Oração
Thisperpetual hurryof businessandcompanyruinsme insoul if notin body.Mais
solitude andearlierhours!IsuspectI have beenallottinghabituallytoolittle time to
religiousexercises,asprivate devotionandreligiousmeditation,Scripture-reading,etc.
Hence I am leanand coldand hard.I had betterallottwohoursor an hour and a half
daily.Ihave beenkeepingtoolate hours,andhence have hadbuta hurriedhalf hourin a
morningto myself.Surelythe experience ofall goodmenconfirmsthe propositionthat