Prayer is a trade to be learned. We must be apprentices…
“Prayer is a trade to be learned. We must be apprentices and serve our time at it. Painstaking care, much thought, practice and labour are required to be a skillful tradesman in praying. Practice in this, as well as in all other trades, makes perfect.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Prayer requires disciplined practice, patience, and learning, much like any skilled trade, to become effective.
In simple terms: Prayer is a skill that needs practice.
Key Takeaway
Treat prayer like a craft: study, practice, improve.
Themes
spirituality
discipline
skill development
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- personal devotion
- religious education
- daily meditation
- spiritual retreats
Key Concepts
theology
habit formation
mindfulness
Questions to Reflect On
- What habits can you develop to improve your prayer life?
- How does treating prayer as a trade change its meaning?
A Different Perspective
Not all traditions view prayer as a skill to be honed; some see it as spontaneous.