Required reading
Thoughts on public prayer by Samuel Miller (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Chapter 6 by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'V. The last means of attaining excellence in public prayer that I shall mention, is, the habit of devotional composition.'
My summary
Today Miller gives us his last means of attaining excellence in public prayer.
Miller says that a minister who is excellent in public prayer knows habit of devotional composition.
In other words, the minister writes his prayers out on a regular basis.
What grabbed me
I was intrigued by this last point of Miller's.
And it makes sense: 'The fault of many ministers in public prayer is abounding in unnecessary words; and of others that they are prone to employ unsuitable, canting, and unmeaning words. Now I know of no more effectual method of correcting both these classes of faults than the enlightened, careful and deliberate use of the pen. The moment the eye of an educated man rests on an incorrect or untasteful expression committed to paper, he seldom fails to detect at once its inappropriate character.'
Much of what is said with the mouth would be quickly edited when committed to paper.
Next week's reading
Commence Lectures to my students by Charles Spurgeon (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading 'The Pastor's College' and 'Introduction and Apology'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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