--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Prayer is not so much an act as it is an…" description: "\"Prayer is not so much an act as it is an attitude of dependency, dependency upon God. Prayer is a confession of creature weakness, yes, of helplessnes..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/arthur-w-pink-4530_acknowledgment_prayer-is-not-so-much-an-act-as-it-is-an_1369591.png" --- # Prayer is not so much an act as it is an attitude of… ![“Prayer is not so much an act as it is an attitude of dependency, dependency upon God. Prayer is a confession of creature weakness, yes, of helplessness. Prayer is the acknowledgment of our need and the spreading of it before God.” quote by Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/arthur-w-pink-4530_acknowledgment_prayer-is-not-so-much-an-act-as-it-is-an_1369591.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/arthur-w-pink-4530_acknowledgment_prayer-is-not-so-much-an-act-as-it-is-an_1369591.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/433/arthur-w-pink-4530_acknowledgment_prayer-is-not-so-much-an-act-as-it-is-an_1369591.png) > “Prayer is not so much an act as it is an attitude of dependency, dependency upon God. Prayer is a confession of creature weakness, yes, of helplessness. Prayer is the acknowledgment of our need and the spreading of it before God.” [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Prayer is fundamentally an attitude of dependence on God, expressing humility and acknowledgment of human weakness. **In simple terms:** Prayer shows we rely on God and admit our frailty. Key Takeaway Cultivate humility and trust in divine help. Themes spirituality humility dependence faith Mood contemplative encouraging Type inspirational theological When to use this quote - personal crises - daily devotion - community worship - counseling sessions Key Concepts theology psychology of prayer relationship with deity Questions to Reflect On - In what ways can prayer empower action? - How does humility affect personal growth? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on dependency may discourage personal agency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acknowledgment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acknowledgment/) [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Confession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confession/) [Dependency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dependency/) [God prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-prayer/) [Helplessness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helplessness/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Weakness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weakness/) ## Related quotes > [Prayer is not so much an act as it is an attitude - an attitude of dependency, dependency upon God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/prayer-is-not-so-much-an-act-as-it-is-an-attitude-an-attitude-of/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [Prayer is an acknowledgment that our need of God's help is not partial but total.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/prayer-is-an-acknowledgment-that-our-need-of-god-s-help-is-not/) [Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/) > [Helplessness becomes prayer the moment that you go to Jesus and speak candidly and confidently with him about your needs. This is to believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ole-hallesby/helplessness-becomes-prayer-the-moment-that-you-go-to-jesus-and-speak/) [Ole Hallesby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ole-hallesby/) > [Prayer is a confession of one's own unworthiness and weakness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/prayer-is-a-confession-of-one-s-own-unworthiness-and-weakness/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [There is no true prayer without confession. As long as we have unconfessed sin in our soul, we are not going to have power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/there-is-no-true-prayer-without-confession-as-long-as-we-have/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [“The dark times are there for you to grow and to create a dependency on God. This is all part of your sanctification process.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-barbarulo/the-dark-times-are-there-for-you-to-grow-and-to-create-a-dependency/) [Michael Barbarulo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-barbarulo/) > [“If we have forgotten our total dependency upon God, then there is nothing left for us but to try to depend upon other people’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-upton/if-we-have-forgotten-our-total-dependency-upon-god-then-there-is/) Charles Upton > [“Explain the service as you go along. Though there is some danger of pastoral verbosity here that distracts from the worship experience, learn to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/explain-the-service-as-you-go-along-though-there-is-some-danger-of/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“The Liturgy itself is prayer; the confession of faith finds its proper place in the celebration of worship.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-catholic-church/the-liturgy-itself-is-prayer-the-confession-of-faith-finds-its-proper/) [The Catholic Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-catholic-church/) > [“If the partner becomes God he can just as easily become the Devil; the reason is not far to seek. For one thing, one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-becker/if-the-partner-becomes-god-he-can-just-as-easily-become-the-devil-the/) [Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/) > [Prayer is the act of seeing reality from God's point of view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/prayer-is-the-act-of-seeing-reality-from-god-s-point-of-view/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [Intercessory prayer is an act of communion with Christ, for Jesus pleads for the sons of men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/intercessory-prayer-is-an-act-of-communion-with-christ-for-jesus/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [“Prayer:  The act of falling to your knees in pleading fashion, seeking help from a greater power than all else to have failed you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/prayer-the-act-of-falling-to-your-knees-in-pleading-fashion-seeking/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [Prayer is an act of love. Words are not needed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-of-vila/prayer-is-an-act-of-love-words-are-not-needed/) [Teresa of Avila](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-of-vila/) > [Speaking uses us up, speeds us up. Without prayer, that act of confession for merely existing, one might live forever and not know it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-maguire/speaking-uses-us-up-speeds-us-up-without-prayer-that-act-of/) [Gregory Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-maguire/) ## More by Arthur W. Pink > [“Here is a fundamental difference between the man of faith and the man of unbelief. The unbeliever is 'of the world', judges everything by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/here-is-a-fundamental-difference-between-the-man-of-faith-and-the-man/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [God has often given His people favor in the sight of heathen masters (as Joseph and Daniel), and has magnified the sufficiency of His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/god-has-often-given-his-people-favor-in-the-sight-of-heathen-masters/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [An ineffably holy God, who has the utmost abhorrence of sin, was never invented by any of Adam's descendents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/an-ineffably-holy-god-who-has-the-utmost-abhorrence-of-sin-was-never/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [Were God to show grace to all of Adam's descendants, men would at once conclude that He was righteously compelled to take them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/were-god-to-show-grace-to-all-of-adam-s-descendants-men-would-at-once/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [Real prayer is communion with God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/real-prayer-is-communion-with-god/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [Growing in grace is a deepening realization of our nothingness; it is a heartfelt recognition that we are not worthy of the least of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/growing-in-grace-is-a-deepening-realization-of-our-nothingness-it-is/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [Christ is the Divine answer to the Devil's overthrow of our first parents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/christ-is-the-divine-answer-to-the-devil-s-overthrow-of-our-first/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [Instead of a river, God often gives us a brook, which may be running today and dried up tomorrow. Why? To teach us not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/instead-of-a-river-god-often-gives-us-a-brook-which-may-be-running/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [“The gospel of Satan is not a system of revolutionary principles, nor yet a program of anarchy. It does not promote strife and war,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/the-gospel-of-satan-is-not-a-system-of-revolutionary-principles-nor/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [“Again, there are multitudes who are quite ready for Christ to justify them, but not to sanctify. Some kind, some degree, of sanctification they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/again-there-are-multitudes-who-are-quite-ready-for-christ-to-justify/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [Those circumstances, which to the dim eye of Jacob's faith wore a hue so somber, were at that very moment developing and perfecting the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/those-circumstances-which-to-the-dim-eye-of-jacob-s-faith-wore-a-hue/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [Chastisement is designed for our good, to promote our highest interests. Look beyond the rod to the All-wise hand that wields it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/chastisement-is-designed-for-our-good-to-promote-our-highest/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [Prayer is the way and means God has appointed for the communication of the blessings of His goodness to His people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/prayer-is-the-way-and-means-god-has-appointed-for-the-communication/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [In the person of Christ God beholds a holiness which abides His closest scrutiny, yea, which rejoices and satisfies His heart; and whatever Christ…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/in-the-person-of-christ-god-beholds-a-holiness-which-abides-his/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [“Is there not in these words of our Lord a latent reference to the history of man’s fall, and a designed contrast from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/is-there-not-in-these-words-of-our-lord-a-latent-reference-to-the/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) [Explore all 109 Arthur W. Pink quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) ## More Acknowledgment quotes > [The only significance of life consists in helping to establish the kingdom of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/the-only-significance-of-life-consists-in-helping-to-establish-the/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Every acknowledgment of gratitude is a circumstance of humiliation; and some are found to submit to frequent mortifications of this kind, proclaiming what obligations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/every-acknowledgment-of-gratitude-is-a-circumstance-of-humiliation/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [When we would show any one that he is mistaken, our best course is to observe on what side he considers the subject,--for his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/when-we-would-show-any-one-that-he-is-mistaken-our-best-course-is-to/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [True reconciliation is never cheap, for it is based on forgiveness which is costly. Forgiveness in turn depends on repentance, which has to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/true-reconciliation-is-never-cheap-for-it-is-based-on-forgiveness/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [“Acknowledgment remained absent long-term. She would push to the point of sickness through drinking and activities that made recovery more difficult. She would refuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-winsomer/acknowledgment-remained-absent-long-term-she-would-push-to-the-point/) Neal Winsomer > [Few men are so obstinate in their atheism, that a pressing danger will not compel them to acknowledgment of a divine power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/few-men-are-so-obstinate-in-their-atheism-that-a-pressing-danger-will/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [To me, bitterness is the under-arm odor of wishful weakness. It is the graceless acknowledgment of defeat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zora-neale-hurston/to-me-bitterness-is-the-under-arm-odor-of-wishful-weakness-it-is-the/) [Zora Neale Hurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zora-neale-hurston/) > [It is a wonderful acknowledgment of what has been a six-year journey to make and release this first film in 'The Lord of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/it-is-a-wonderful-acknowledgment-of-what-has-been-a-six-year-journey/) [Peter Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/) > [There's no praise or acknowledgment paid to women who raise the babies,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-gless/there-s-no-praise-or-acknowledgment-paid-to-women-who-raise-the-babies/) [Sharon Gless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-gless/) > [The number one goal in resolving a conflict is to make sure both sides maintain their self-esteem. Resolving conflict is rarely about who is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-crum/the-number-one-goal-in-resolving-a-conflict-is-to-make-sure-both/) [Thomas Crum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-crum/) > [With respect to public acknowledgment of religious belief, it is entirely clear from our nation's historical practices that the Establishment Clause permits this disregard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/with-respect-to-public-acknowledgment-of-religious-belief-it-is/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [That acknowledgment of weakness which we make in imploring to be relieved from hunger and from temptation is surely wisely put in our daily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-makepeace-thackeray/that-acknowledgment-of-weakness-which-we-make-in-imploring-to-be/) [William Makepeace Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-makepeace-thackeray/) > [Under the blessings of Divine Providence ... It becomes us in humility to make our devout acknowledgments to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-k-polk/under-the-blessings-of-divine-providence-it-becomes-us-in-humility-to/) [James K. Polk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-k-polk/) > [“words both of acknowledgment and miscellaneous remark. My thanks are due in three quarters. To the Public, for the indulgent ear it has inclined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/words-both-of-acknowledgment-and-miscellaneous-remark-my-thanks-are/) [Charlotte Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [It is a significant acknowledgment that the way people are watching television is changing and the model is quickly changing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-zucker/it-is-a-significant-acknowledgment-that-the-way-people-are-watching/) [Jeff Zucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-zucker/) [Browse all 119 Acknowledgment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acknowledgment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Prayer is not so much an act as it is an attitude of dependency, dependency upon God. Prayer is a confession of creature weakness, yes, of helplessness. 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