If we want to read and to pray the prayers of the Bible…
“If we want to read and to pray the prayers of the Bible and especially the Psalms, therefore, we must not ask first what they have to do with us, but what they have to do with Jesus Christ...It does not depend, therefore, on whether the Psalms express adequately that which we feel at a given moment in our heart. If we are to pray aright, perhaps it is quite necessary that we pray contrary to our own heart. Not what we want to pray is important, but what God wants us to pray.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Prayer should align with Jesus' will, not personal desire; true prayer may oppose our own feelings to follow divine purpose.
In simple terms: Pray for God's will, not ours.
Key Takeaway
Seek alignment with divine intent.
Themes
faith
prayer
obedience
spirituality
theology
Mood
humble
contemplative
Type
theological
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal prayer
- church teaching
- spiritual counseling
- theological study
- daily devotion
Key Concepts
submission
divine will
contrary prayer
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you discern God's will?
- What if your heart resists?
A Different Perspective
It can be emotionally challenging to pray against personal longing.