The Harmony of Prayer and Preaching

    A man may preach, "Sinner, save thyself;" but he dare not pray such foolishness. In prayer it is, "Lord, save me or I perish." A man may preach the free will of men, but he dare not mention such in prayer. In prayer it must be, "Not my will, but thine be done." A man may preach and defend the dignity and righteousness of himself and others; but when he comes to God in prayer, he can only cry with Job, "I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes." A man may exalt the works and deeds of the flesh from the pulpit, for whatever purposes, but not in the prayer closet. There, our only plea is, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us."

    Men and women may talk in religious circles about when they "decided for Jesus," when they "accepted him as their personal Saviour;" but not in his presence; for there the song is, "Thou art worthy, for thou vast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests and we shall reign on the earth."