... if a man prays God for some virtue, and at the same…
“... if a man prays God for some virtue, and at the same time gives himself up to negligence, acquiring no definite means to gain this virtue, and making no effort towards it, truly this man tempts God, rather than prays. Thus the divine James says: 'The effectual prayer of a righteous man avails much' (Jms. 5:16). What avails to make prayer effective? is when, besides begging a saint to pray for him about something, the man also prays about it himself and with all diligence does everything necessary for obtaining his request.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Prayer must be paired with personal effort; asking for divine help without acting is ineffective.
In simple terms: Prayer works when you also act.
Key Takeaway
Combine prayer with diligent action.
Themes
faith
effort
responsibility
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
advice
spiritual
When to use this quote
- seeking promotion
- career advancement
- personal goals
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
spiritual discipline
self-reliance
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you align your actions with your prayers?
- What effort are you neglecting?
A Different Perspective
Prayer alone cannot replace personal responsibility.