May 8, 2013

Power of the Pulpit - Spring - XI - Chapter 14 (Ministers must be men of prayer)

Required reading
The Power of the Pulpit by Gardiner Spring (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 14 (Ministers must be men of prayer).

My summary
Today Spring speaks about the importance of prayer for the minister.

After telling us about the need for prayer, Spring discusses prayer in:
(i) selecting sermon subjects;
(ii) preparing sermons;
(iii) the pulpit;
(iv) closet prayer.

What grabbed me
An excellent chapter. 

Spring spoke of what is sadly all too true: 'There are ministers who are by no means slothful, and who possess a deep interest in their work, who yet labor to very little purpose, because their time is not profitably employed. Their course of reading and study is not so useful to them, as preachers, as it might be ; and their out-door labor is not always so arranged as to subserve the pulpit. In this matter they need to be directed by wisdom that is from above, and should seek that direction as constantly as they ask for their daily bread. Youthful ministers especially are act always sensible of the importance of so employing their time, and arranging their labor as to accomplish the most for the cause of God and the souls of men. Yet this is their great object; and in the prosecution of it, they must just submit themselves to a heavenly guidance.'

Far too often prayer gets side-railed not for meaningless entertainment, but for ministry labours that then prove unsuccessful.

Next week's reading
R
ead Chapter 15 (The personal piety of ministers).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

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