--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Pray your words, old man.” The priest…" description: "\"“Pray your words, old man.” The priest licked his lips and glanced fearfully at the crowd of savages around them. Perhaps it was the stark contrast of ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/441/catherine-anderson-308_bible_pray-your-words-old-man-the-priest-licke_1076644.jpg" --- # Pray your words, old man.” The priest licked his lips and… ![“Pray your words, old man.” The priest licked his lips and glanced fearfully at the crowd of savages around them. Perhaps it was the stark contrast of black robes against pallid flesh, but Loretta thought he was losing color at an alarming rate. Indeed, he looked as if he might faint. “Say the God…” quote by Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/441/catherine-anderson-308_bible_pray-your-words-old-man-the-priest-licke_1076644.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/441/catherine-anderson-308_bible_pray-your-words-old-man-the-priest-licke_1076644.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/441/catherine-anderson-308_bible_pray-your-words-old-man-the-priest-licke_1076644.jpg) > ““Pray your words, old man.” The priest licked his lips and glanced fearfully at the crowd of savages around them. Perhaps it was the stark contrast of black robes against pallid flesh, but Loretta thought he was losing color at an alarming rate. Indeed, he looked as if he might faint. “Say the God words, old man!” Hunter snarled again. “Don’t you dare bully him,” Loretta hissed. “He’s a man of God, Hunter! You don’t roar at a man of God.” “It’s qu-quite all right, child, quite all right.” The priest, his face dripping sweat, made haste to open his Bible. “Merciful Father,” he muttered, clearly praying for deliverance. With a strangled cough, he began leafing through pages, turning slightly so the light from the fire was thrown across the small print. “I beg your forgiveness. I don’t usually need to use the book--” He coughed again and waved away smoke. “For some reason, the words have fled my mind. Ah, yes, here we are.” Infuriated, Loretta jerked her arm from Hunter’s grasp. “Father, there’s absolutely nothing to be afraid of, I assure you.” Hunter reclaimed her arm in a biting grip that made her swing around to face him. Bending his head, he whispered, “Blue Eyes, you test my temper. I will blow hard at you like the wind.” “Blow, then!” She tried to twist her arm free. “You’re hurting me.” “I will beat you. Then you will know a hurt. Now be silent!” Loretta’s eyes flared to a fiery blue. “I’m not going to marry you. Beat me senseless! Go ahead.” Hunter sent her a look that would have scared her to death a month ago. “Loh-rhett-ah, you will be silent and let him say the God words.” “He can say the God words until snowballs melt in--” She broke off and blushed. “I’m the one who has to say the words, Hunter, and I won’t. Do you understand?” “My dear child,” the priest inserted, “it’s not often one of these”--he threw a meaningful glance at Hunter--“ gentlemen offers to make an honorable woman of a captive. Wouldn’t it be wise to accept?” “I’m in no need of matrimony, Father. I still have my honor.”” [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A tense confrontation where fear, power, and religious authority clash, revealing characters’ desperation and manipulation. **In simple terms:** Characters struggle with fear and control. Key Takeaway Recognize manipulation and seek calm. Themes power faith conflict survival gender dynamics Mood tense anxious dramatic Type dialogue dramatic conflict When to use this quote - war zones - captivity - rituals - interpersonal abuse - high tension Key Concepts authority psychology violence religion social hierarchy Questions to Reflect On - How does fear affect leadership? - When does power become abuse? A Different Perspective The priest’s fear may be genuine, but his inability to speak undermines his authority. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) [Gaze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gaze/) [God Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-words/) [Hunter Snarled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hunter-snarled-2391096/) [Man of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-of-god/) [Merciful Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/merciful-father-1523491/) [Old man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-man/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Pray Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pray-words-777603/) [Words Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-hunter-2711291/) ## Related quotes > [“Stay back!” she cried. “I come. Choose your mark, Blue Eyes, and drive the blade deep. You have one strike.” When he was within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/stay-back-she-cried-i-come-choose-your-mark-blue-eyes-and-drive-the/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“Loh-rhett-ah, you will be silent and let him say the God words.” “He can say the God words until snowballs melt in--” She broke…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/loh-rhett-ah-you-will-be-silent-and-let-him-say-the-god-words-he-can/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“I have brought you a Black Robe,” he said tersely, and nodded toward the waiting priest. “He will pray your God words over us,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/i-have-brought-you-a-black-robe-he-said-tersely-and-nodded-toward-the/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [If you know how to encourage dishearten person and pray for him, the words you speak become Gods will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kishore-bansal/if-you-know-how-to-encourage-dishearten-person-and-pray-for-him-the/) [Kishore Bansal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kishore-bansal/) > [God doesn't bother with what language you use to pray, what words you use. 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If I were to continue to pray in words, I would have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ole-hallesby/there-come-times-when-i-have-nothing-more-to-tell-god-if-i-were-to/) [Ole Hallesby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ole-hallesby/) > [“Then a priestess said, “Speak to us of Prayer.” And he answered, saying: You pray in your distress and in your need; would that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/then-a-priestess-said-speak-to-us-of-prayer-and-he-answered-saying/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [I pray these words live and these gimmicks fail and I pray whenever Im seen in my city I forever resemble braille.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wale/i-pray-these-words-live-and-these-gimmicks-fail-and-i-pray-whenever/) [Wale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wale/) > [For me personally, I don't pray using words - it is just with my intent. Why do I need to pray with "words," to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-angel-ruiz/for-me-personally-i-don-t-pray-using-words-it-is-just-with-my-intent/) [Miguel Angel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-angel-ruiz/) > [How to overcome that seemingly impossible issue... Pray more words about it than you speak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysa-terkeurst/how-to-overcome-that-seemingly-impossible-issue-pray-more-words-about/) [Lysa TerKeurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysa-terkeurst/) > [“Quant au mode de prier, peu importe le nom, pourvu qu'il soit sincère. Tournez votre livre à l'envers et soyez à l'infini" As for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/quant-au-mode-de-prier-peu-importe-le-nom-pourvu-qu-il-soit-sinc-re/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [“The will of God is revealed as you listen to the Spirit of God in the Word of God. The precepts and promises of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archie-parrish/the-will-of-god-is-revealed-as-you-listen-to-the-spirit-of-god-in-the/) [Archie Parrish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archie-parrish/) > [“And every day I pray many, many times –40, 50, 60 times a day. I pray without words in pure feelings, which is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/padma-aon-prakasha/and-every-day-i-pray-many-many-times-40-50-60-times-a-day-i-pray/) [Padma Aon Prakasha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/padma-aon-prakasha/) > [Determine to pray more words over your marriage than you speak about your marriage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysa-terkeurst/determine-to-pray-more-words-over-your-marriage-than-you-speak-about/) [Lysa TerKeurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysa-terkeurst/) ## More by Catherine Anderson > [“You’d better keep her tied.” “Why?” A yawn stretched Hunter’s dark face. “Because she’s looking skittish.” “She’s naked.” Sheathing his knife, Hunter flopped on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/you-d-better-keep-her-tied-why-a-yawn-stretched-hunter-s-dark-face/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“I have such great love for you, little one. Such great love.” “I love you just as much, Hunter. I thought I’d die when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/i-have-such-great-love-for-you-little-one-such-great-love-i-love-you/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“Blue Eyes, you will say yes to me?” “Tonight? Now?” “Yes, tonight. Before this time between us passes.” When she sat, silent, watching, Hunter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/blue-eyes-you-will-say-yes-to-me-tonight-now-yes-tonight-before-this/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“My heart is filled with great love for you,” he whispered. Tears sprang to Loretta’s eyes. She couldn’t name the emotion that caused them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/my-heart-is-filled-with-great-love-for-you-he-whispered-tears-sprang/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“I’m in no need of matrimony, Father. I still have my honor.” Hunter jerked her to his side and, in an ominously even voice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/i-m-in-no-need-of-matrimony-father-i-still-have-my-honor-hunter/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“You know, I should start thinking on names. I have to be over two months gone. A name is important. Especially for this baby.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/you-know-i-should-start-thinking-on-names-i-have-to-be-over-two/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“As he tightened his embrace around her, he knew he'd made the right choice. He held the whole world in his arms.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/as-he-tightened-his-embrace-around-her-he-knew-he-d-made-the-right/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“You will tell your sons and daughters about me, yes?” Hunter wished he could weep, but the tears were dammed behind his lids, aching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/you-will-tell-your-sons-and-daughters-about-me-yes-hunter-wished-he/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“Speaking of pits in plum pudding, do you remember your sister’s first attempt? Your grandfather broke off his only remaining tooth trying to eat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/speaking-of-pits-in-plum-pudding-do-you-remember-your-sister-s-first/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“You ever seen what they do to a captive white woman? If you ask me, them Injuns got exactly what was coming to ’em.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/you-ever-seen-what-they-do-to-a-captive-white-woman-if-you-ask-me/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“I would like to make arrangements with you--to take her as my wife. Not right away, of course. When she grows old enough.” The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/i-would-like-to-make-arrangements-with-you-to-take-her-as-my-wife-not/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“ Toquet , it is well, little one. It is finished, eh?” She panted, tossing her head. “It h-hurts!” “It will pass,” he assured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/toquet-it-is-well-little-one-it-is-finished-eh-she-panted-tossing-her/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [“Make a story for me, yes? 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Loretta could scarcely believe how quickly the child was regaining her former gaiety, and she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/another-uplifting-development-was-amy-s-recovery-from-her-ordeal/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) [Explore all 699 Catherine Anderson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) ## More Bible quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“God hates Hell. 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You don’t roar at a man of God.” “It’s qu-quite all right, child, quite all right.” The priest, his face dripping sweat, made haste to open his Bible. “Merciful Father,” he muttered, clearly praying for deliverance. With a strangled cough, he began leafing through pages, turning slightly so the light from the fire was thrown across the small print. “I beg your forgiveness. I don’t usually need to use the book--” He coughed again and waved away smoke. “For some reason, the words have fled my mind. Ah, yes, here we are.” Infuriated, Loretta jerked her arm from Hunter’s grasp. “Father, there’s absolutely nothing to be afraid of, I assure you.” Hunter reclaimed her arm in a biting grip that made her swing around to face him. Bending his head, he whispered, “Blue Eyes, you test my temper. I will blow hard at you like the wind.” “Blow, then!” She tried to twist her arm free. “You’re hurting me.” “I will beat you. Then you will know a hurt. Now be silent!” Loretta’s eyes flared to a fiery blue. “I’m not going to marry you. Beat me senseless! Go ahead.” Hunter sent her a look that would have scared her to death a month ago. “Loh-rhett-ah, you will be silent and let him say the God words.” “He can say the God words until snowballs melt in--” She broke off and blushed. “I’m the one who has to say the words, Hunter, and I won’t. Do you understand?” “My dear child,” the priest inserted, “it’s not often one of these”--he threw a meaningful glance at Hunter--“ gentlemen offers to make an honorable woman of a captive. Wouldn’t it be wise to accept?” “I’m in no need of matrimony, Father. I still have my honor.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Catherine Anderson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/pray-your-words-old-man-the-priest-licked-his-lips-and-glanced/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bible" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/pray-your-words-old-man-the-priest-licked-his-lips-and-glanced/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/441/catherine-anderson-308_bible_pray-your-words-old-man-the-priest-licke_1076644.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/441/catherine-anderson-308_bible_pray-your-words-old-man-the-priest-licke_1076644.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/441/catherine-anderson-308_bible_pray-your-words-old-man-the-priest-licke_1076644.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Pray your words, old man.” The priest licked his lips and glanced fearfully at the crowd of savages around…” — Catherine Anderson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Catherine Anderson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Pray your words, old man.” The...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/pray-your-words-old-man-the-priest-licked-his-lips-and-glanced/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/pray-your-words-old-man-the-priest-licked-his-lips-and-glanced/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```