The Christian and Prayer

(Charles Spurgeon)

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If any of you should ask me for the epitome of the Christian life, I would say that it is in one word-prayer.

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The habit of private prayer, and the constant practice of heart-communion with God-are the surest indicators of the work of the Holy spirit upon the soul.

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The more a man loves God and becomes more like Jesus-the more delight he takes in heart communion with God.

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All of our libraries and our studies are mere emptiness, compared with our prayer closets.

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We grow in Christlikeness, in private prayer.

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Prayer is the true gauge of spiritual health.

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I have now concentrated all my prayers into one-and that one prayer is this: that I may die to self, and live wholly to Him.

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He who has the key of prayer can open Heaven! Yes, he has access to the heart of God!

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Nothing brings such leanness into a Christian's soul, as lack of prayer.

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A prayerless soul, is a Christless soul. Prayer is . . .
  the lisping of the believing infant,
  the shout of the fighting believer,
  the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus.

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A Christian's vigor, happiness, growth and usefulness-all depend upon prayer.

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Prayer is the autograph of the Holy Spirit upon the renewed heart.
 
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Prayer is the indispensable mark of the true child of God.

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I would rather teach one man to pray-than ten men to preach!

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Nine times out of ten, spiritual declension from God begins in the neglect of private prayer.

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Prayer with the heart, is the heart of prayer.

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We make more real advance in the divine life in an hour of sincere prayer-than we do in a month of sermon-hearing!