A Call to Prayer Quotes

“Happiness does not depend on outward circumstances, but on the state of the heart.”
― J.C. Ryle, A Call to Prayer

“Praying and sinning will never live together in the same heart. Prayer will consume sin, or sin will choke prayer.”
― J.C. Ryle, A Call to Prayer

“Just as the first sign of life in an infant when born into the world is the act of breathing, so the first act of men and women when they are born again is praying.”
― Ryle (1816-1900), J.C., A Call to Prayer With Study Guide

“Faith is to the soul what life is to the body. Prayer is to faith what breath is to life. How a man can live and not breathe is past my comprehension, and how a man can believe and not pray is past my comprehension too.”
― Ryle (1816-1900), J.C., A Call to Prayer With Study Guide

“Paul said, "Continue in prayer and, "Pray without ceasing." He did not mean that people should be always on their knees, but he did mean that our prayers should be like the continual burned-offering steadily preserved in every day; that it should be like seed-time and harvest, and summer and winter, unceasingly coming round at regular seasons; that it should be like the fire on the altar, not always consuming sacrifices, but never completely going out.”
― J.C. Ryle, A Call To Prayer

“The greater are our affections the deeper are our afflictions, and the more we love the more we have to weep.”
― J.C. Ryle, A Call to Prayer

“I find it mentioned as a characteristic of the godly, that “they call on the Father” (1 Peter 1:17), or “the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:2). Recorded as a characteristic of the wicked is the fact that “they call not upon the Lord” (Psalms 14:4).”
― J.C. Ryle, A Call To Prayer

“Alas, there is a day coming when many shall pray loudly, “Lord, Lord, open to us,” but all too late; when many shall cry to the rocks to fall on them and the hills to-cover them, who would never cry to God. In all affection, I warn you, beware lest this be the end of your soul. Salvation is very near you. Do not lose heaven for want of asking.”
― J.C. Ryle, A Call To Prayer

“the  very  least,  speak with  God  in  the  morning,  before  you speak with the world: and speak with God at night, after you have done with the world. But settle it in your minds, that prayer is one of the great things of every day. Do not drive it into a corner. Do not give it the scraps and parings of your duty. Whatever else you make a business of, make a business of prayer.”
― J.C. Ryle, J. C. Ryle: A Call to Prayer (Original Edition)(Illustrated)

“Jesus can make those happy who trust him and call on him, whatever be their outward condition. He can give them peace of heart in a prison, contentment in the midst of poverty, comfort in the midst of bereavements, joy on the brink of the grave. There is a mighty fullness in him for all his believing members-a fullness that is ready to be poured out on every one that will ask in prayer. Oh that men would understand that happiness does not depend on outward circumstances, but on the state of the heart.”
― J.C. Ryle, J. C. Ryle: A Call to Prayer (Original Edition)(Illustrated)

“Prayer is the surest remedy against the devil and besetting sins. That sin will never stand firm which is heartily prayed against. That devil will never long keep dominion over us which we beseech the Lord to cast forth. But then we must spread out all our case before our heavenly Physician, if he is to give us daily relief.”
― J.C. Ryle, J. C. Ryle: A Call to Prayer (Original Edition)(Illustrated)

“Praying and sinning will never live together in the same heart. Prayer will consume sin, or sin will choke prayer. I cannot forget this. I look at men's lives. I believe that few pray.”
― J.C. Ryle, J. C. Ryle: A Call to Prayer (Original Edition)(Illustrated)

“But this I do say, that not praying is a clear proof that a man is not yet a true Christian. He cannot really feel his sins. He cannot love God. He cannot feel himself a debtor to Christ. He cannot long after holiness. He cannot desire heaven. He has yet to be born again. He has yet to be made a new creature. He may boast confidently of election, grace, faith, hope, and knowledge, and deceive ignorant people. But you may rest assured it is all vain talk if he does not pray. Real evidence And I say, furthermore, that of all the evidences of the real work of the Spirit, a habit of hearty private prayer is one of the most satisfactory that can be named.”
― J.C. Ryle, J. C. Ryle: A Call to Prayer (Original Edition)(Illustrated)

“To be prayerless is to be without God, without Christ, without grace, without hope, and without heaven. It is to be on the road to hell. Now can you wonder that I ask the question, Do you pray?”
― J.C. Ryle, J. C. Ryle: A Call to Prayer (Original Edition)(Illustrated)

“I can find that nobody will be saved by his prayers, but I cannot find that without prayer anybody will be saved.”
― J.C. Ryle, J. C. Ryle: A Call to Prayer (Original Edition)(Illustrated)

“It is bad enough to be unconverted and going to hell. It is even worse to say, “I know it and will not cry for mercy.”
― J.C. Ryle, A Call to Prayer

“That sin will never stand firm which is heartily prayed against....We must spread out all our case before our heavenly Physician, if He is to give us daily relief.”
― J.C. Ryle, A Call to Prayer

“that backsliding generally first begins with neglect of private prayer. Bibles read without prayer; sermons heard without prayer; marriages contracted without prayer; journeys undertaken without prayer; residences chosen without”
― J.C. Ryle, A Call to Prayer

“There is the Holy Spirit ever ready to help our infirmities in prayer. It is one part of his special office is assist us in our endeavors to speak to God. We need not be cast down and distressed by the fear of not knowing what to say. The Spirit will give us words, if we seek his aid. The prayers of the Lord's people are the inspiration of the Lord's Spirit, the work of the Holy Spirit who dwells within them as the Spirit of grace and supplication. Surely the Lord's people may well hope to be heard. It is not merely those who pray — but the Holy Spirit pleading in them. Think of this. Is not this an encouragement? There”
― J.C. Ryle, A Call to Prayer

“There is a way by which any person, however sinful and unworthy, may draw near to God the Father. Jesus Christ has opened that way by the sacrifice he made for us upon the cross. The holiness and justice of God need not frighten sinners and keep them back. Only let them cry to God in the name of Jesus, and they shall find God upon the throne of grace, willing and ready to hear. The name of Jesus is a never-failing passport for our prayers. In that name, a person may draw near to God with boldness, and ask with confidence. God has engaged to hear him. Think of this. Is this not an encouragement? There is an Advocate and Intercessor always waiting to present the prayers of those who come to God through him. That advocate is Jesus Christ. He mingles our prayers with the incense of his own almighty intercession. So mingled, they go up as a sweet savor before the throne of God. Poor as they are in themselves, they are mighty and powerful in the hand of our High Priest and Elder Brother. The bank-note without a signature at the bottom is nothing but a worthless piece of paper. The stroke of a pen confers on it all its value. The prayer of a poor child of Adam is a feeble thing in itself — but once endorsed by the hand of the Lord Jesus, it avails much. There was an officer in the city of Rome who appointed to have his doors always open, in order to receive any Roman citizen who applied to him for help. Just so the ear of the Lord Jesus is ever open to the cry of all who need mercy and grace. It is his office to help them. Their prayer is his delight! Think of this. Is this not and encouragement? There”
― J.C. Ryle, A Call to Prayer

“If I do not mean what I say, I am trifling with God.”
― J.C. Ryle, A Call to Prayer With Study Guide

“Prayer will consume sin — or sin will choke prayer.”
― J.C. Ryle, A Call to Prayer