--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The real end of prayer is not so much to…" description: "\"The real end of prayer is not so much to get this or that single desire granted, as to put human life into full and joyful conformity with the will of ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e5/charles-bent-72353_conformity_the-real-end-of-prayer-is-not-so-much-to_247207.jpg" --- # The real end of prayer is not so much to get this or that… ![“The real end of prayer is not so much to get this or that single desire granted, as to put human life into full and joyful conformity with the will of God.” quote by Charles Bent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e5/charles-bent-72353_conformity_the-real-end-of-prayer-is-not-so-much-to_247207.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e5/charles-bent-72353_conformity_the-real-end-of-prayer-is-not-so-much-to_247207.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e5/charles-bent-72353_conformity_the-real-end-of-prayer-is-not-so-much-to_247207.jpg) > “The real end of prayer is not so much to get this or that single desire granted, as to put human life into full and joyful conformity with the will of God.” Charles Bent ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Prayer’s purpose is aligning life with divine will, not just asking for specific outcomes. **In simple terms:** Prayer aligns us with God’s plan. Key Takeaway Seek alignment, not requests. Themes faith spirituality purpose Mood reflective hopeful Type spiritual motivational When to use this quote - personal crises - decision making - grief - daily meditation - ethical dilemmas Key Concepts theology submission inner peace Questions to Reflect On - Do you pray for guidance or outcomes? - How do you interpret unanswered prayers? A Different Perspective Not all prayers feel answered, leading to doubt. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conformity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conformity/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Human life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-life/) [Joyful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joyful/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) ## Related quotes > [His Majesty knows best what is suitable for us. There's no need for us to be advising Him about what He should give us,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-of-vila/his-majesty-knows-best-what-is-suitable-for-us-there-s-no-need-for-us/) [Teresa of Avila](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-of-vila/) > [All moral obligation resolves itself into the obligation of conformity to the will of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-hodge/all-moral-obligation-resolves-itself-into-the-obligation-of/) [Charles Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-hodge/) > [Whatever God felt about anything, He still feels. Whatever He thought about anyone, He still thinks. Whatever He approved, He still approves. Whatever He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/whatever-god-felt-about-anything-he-still-feels-whatever-he-thought/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [God elevates nations that behave in conformity with God's standards but he withdraws his blessings from a people who disregard those standards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-l-dreisbach/god-elevates-nations-that-behave-in-conformity-with-god-s-standards/) [Daniel L Dreisbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-l-dreisbach/) > [When we receive with an entire and perfect resignation the afflictions which God sends us they become for us favors and benefits; because conformity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/when-we-receive-with-an-entire-and-perfect-resignation-the/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [“One can go to Our Lord Jesus or the Most Holy Trinity directly, not excluding, however, the most holy Mother, for to tend toward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-maximilian-kolbe/one-can-go-to-our-lord-jesus-or-the-most-holy-trinity-directly-not/) [St. Maximilian Kolbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-maximilian-kolbe/) > [Although the ACLU would argue that it is unconstitutional for me, as a public official, to do this in a government building, let alone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-pryor/although-the-aclu-would-argue-that-it-is-unconstitutional-for-me-as-a/) [William H. Pryor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-pryor/) > [Amen is not the end of a prayer, it just gets us ready to go to the next level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-busey/amen-is-not-the-end-of-a-prayer-it-just-gets-us-ready-to-go-to-the/) [Gary Busey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-busey/) > [I'm amazed, that how salam (peace) is always the first word to start a meeting. but in prayer it is the end word. Maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-shariati/i-m-amazed-that-how-salam-peace-is-always-the-first-word-to-start-a/) [Ali Shariati](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-shariati/) > [“At the end of every prayer introduced the entreaty oftener addressed to man than to God: "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandre-dumas/at-the-end-of-every-prayer-introduced-the-entreaty-oftener-addressed/) [Alexandre Dumas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandre-dumas/) > [If God sees that my spiritual life will be furthered by giving the things for which I ask, then He will give them, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/if-god-sees-that-my-spiritual-life-will-be-furthered-by-giving-the/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [When you pray to God about our wants..always say in the end of prayer YOUR will be done.because sometimes its not The WILL of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariane-corbito/when-you-pray-to-god-about-our-wants-always-say-in-the-end-of-prayer/) [Mariane Corbito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariane-corbito/) > [“What could a mortal say to the merciless Fate? I forced myself to my feet. A'le-Ahnleh was the traditional end to a prayer. By…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amelia-atwater-rhodes/what-could-a-mortal-say-to-the-merciless-fate-i-forced-myself-to-my/) [Amelia Atwater-Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amelia-atwater-rhodes/) > [We often think of prayer as a means to an end. Prayer is the goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/we-often-think-of-prayer-as-a-means-to-an-end-prayer-is-the-goal/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [ In a moment comes either death or joyful victory. \[Lat., Horae Momento cita mors venit aut victoria laeta.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/in-a-moment-comes-either-death-or-joyful-victory-lat-horae-momento/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) ## More by Charles Bent > [Intercessory prayer might be defined as loving our neighbour on our knees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bent/intercessory-prayer-might-be-defined-as-loving-our-neighbour-on-our/) Charles Bent > [Prayer is not so much the means whereby God's will is bent to man's desires, as it is that whereby man's will is bent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bent/prayer-is-not-so-much-the-means-whereby-god-s-will-is-bent-to-man-s/) Charles Bent > [If every call to Christ and His righteousness is a call to suffering, the converse is equally - every call to suffering is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bent/if-every-call-to-christ-and-his-righteousness-is-a-call-to-suffering/) Charles Bent Explore all 4 Charles Bent quotes ## More Conformity quotes > [“So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned by a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-supertramp-chris-mccandless/so-many-people-live-within-unhappy-circumstances-and-yet-will-not/) Alexander Supertramp Chris McCandless > [“All to often, on the long road up, young leaders become servants of what is rather than shapers of what might be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gardner/all-to-often-on-the-long-road-up-young-leaders-become-servants-of/) [John Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gardner/) > [The Chains of conformity click in tiresomely monotonous unison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-sweet/the-chains-of-conformity-click-in-tiresomely-monotonous-unison/) [Leonard Sweet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-sweet/) > [No shepherd and one herd! Everybody wants the same, everybody is the same: whoever feels different goes voluntarily into a madhouse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/no-shepherd-and-one-herd-everybody-wants-the-same-everybody-is-the/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [A self is a frightening thing to waste, it's the lens through which one's whole life is viewed, and few people are willing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/a-self-is-a-frightening-thing-to-waste-it-s-the-lens-through-which/) [Diane Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/) > [Ideation is not a synonym for innovation, conformity is not its simple antonym, and innovation is not the automatic consequence of "creative thinking.".](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-levitt/ideation-is-not-a-synonym-for-innovation-conformity-is-not-its-simple/) [Theodore Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-levitt/) > [“I lead with the knowingness that my reality conforms to my wishes and desires instantly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-s-baker/i-lead-with-the-knowingness-that-my-reality-conforms-to-my-wishes-and/) [Robin S. Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-s-baker/) > [Alas, everything that men say to one another is alike; the ideas they exchange are almost always the same, in their conversation. But inside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-de-musset/alas-everything-that-men-say-to-one-another-is-alike-the-ideas-they/) [Alfred de Musset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-de-musset/) > [The search for truth is a cooperative, unending endeavor. We can, and should, engage in it to the extent we can and encourage others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-search-for-truth-is-a-cooperative-unending-endeavor-we-can-and/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Seeds have the power to preserve species, to enhance cultural as well as genetic diversity, to counter economic monopoly and to check the advance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-pollan/seeds-have-the-power-to-preserve-species-to-enhance-cultural-as-well/) [Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pollan/) > [“Brontë was attempting to depict a character that adheres to the unchanging principles of her faith though she refused conformity to the particular practices…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-swallow-prior/bront-was-attempting-to-depict-a-character-that-adheres-to-the/) [Karen Swallow Prior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-swallow-prior/) > [Officers conditioned to conformity in peacetime cannot be expected to behave boldly and flexibly in combat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-yingling/officers-conditioned-to-conformity-in-peacetime-cannot-be-expected-to/) Paul Yingling > [The more civilized a nation, the more conformed its population, until that civilization's last age arrives, when multiplicity wages war with conformity. The former…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/the-more-civilized-a-nation-the-more-conformed-its-population-until/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members. The virtue in most request is conformity. Self-reliance is its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/society-everywhere-is-in-conspiracy-against-the-manhood-of-every-one/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Deaths, births, and marriages, considering how much they are separately dependent on the freedom of the human will, should seem to be subject to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immanuel-kant/deaths-births-and-marriages-considering-how-much-they-are-separately/) [Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immanuel-kant/) [Browse all 937 Conformity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conformity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The real end of prayer is not so much to get this or that single desire granted, as to put human life into full and joyful conformity with the will of God.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Charles Bent" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bent/the-real-end-of-prayer-is-not-so-much-to-get-this-or-that-single/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Conformity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bent/the-real-end-of-prayer-is-not-so-much-to-get-this-or-that-single/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e5/charles-bent-72353_conformity_the-real-end-of-prayer-is-not-so-much-to_247207.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e5/charles-bent-72353_conformity_the-real-end-of-prayer-is-not-so-much-to_247207.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e5/charles-bent-72353_conformity_the-real-end-of-prayer-is-not-so-much-to_247207.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The real end of prayer is not so much to get this or that single desire granted, as to put human life into…” — Charles Bent", "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": "Charles Bent", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bent/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The real end of prayer is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bent/the-real-end-of-prayer-is-not-so-much-to-get-this-or-that-single/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bent/the-real-end-of-prayer-is-not-so-much-to-get-this-or-that-single/#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 } } ] } ```