“I commend to you, in the next place, the importance of
intercession in our prayers. We are all selfish by nature, and our selfishness
is very apt to stick to us, even when we are converted. There is a tendency in
us to think only of our own souls—our own spiritual conflict—our own progress
in religion, and to forget others. Against this tendency, we have all need to
watch and strive, and not least in our prayers. We should study to be of a public
spirit. We should stir ourselves up to name other names beside our own before
the throne of grace. We should try to bear in our hearts the whole world: the
heathen, the Jews, the Roman Catholics, the body of true believers, the professing
Protestant churches, the country in which we live, the congregation to which we
belong, the household in which we sojourn, the friends and relations we are
connected with. For each and all of these we should plead. This is the highest
charity. He loves me best who loves me in his prayers. This is for our soul’s
health. It enlarges our sympathies and expands our hearts. This is for the
benefit of the Church. The wheels of all machinery for extending the gospel are
oiled by prayer…This is to be like Christ. He bears the names of His people on
His breast and shoulders as their High Priest before the Father. Oh, the
privilege of being like Jesus! This is to be a true helper to ministers. If I
must needs choose a congregation, give me a people that pray.”
-J.C. Ryle Anglican Bishop 1816-1900
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