--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Neglect of private prayer is the locust…" description: "\"Neglect of private prayer is the locust which devours the strength of the church.\" — Charles Spurgeon" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/883/charles-spurgeon-82_church_neglect-of-private-prayer-is-the-locust_767273.png" --- # Neglect of private prayer is the locust which devours the… ![“Neglect of private prayer is the locust which devours the strength of the church.” quote by Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/883/charles-spurgeon-82_church_neglect-of-private-prayer-is-the-locust_767273.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/883/charles-spurgeon-82_church_neglect-of-private-prayer-is-the-locust_767273.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/883/charles-spurgeon-82_church_neglect-of-private-prayer-is-the-locust_767273.png) > “Neglect of private prayer is the locust which devours the strength of the church.” [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Neglecting personal prayer weakens the collective spiritual vitality of a congregation. **In simple terms:** Skipping private prayer harms the church. Key Takeaway Prioritize personal prayer. Themes spirituality community discipline Mood reflective serious Type theological inspirational When to use this quote - personal devotion - church leadership - spiritual formation Key Concepts prayer faith church health Questions to Reflect On - How does private prayer impact public ministry? - What practices can replace neglected prayer? A Different Perspective Prayer alone cannot fix systemic issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Neglect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neglect/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) ## Related quotes > [A prayerless church member is a hindrance. He is in the body like a rotting bone or a decayed tooth. Before long, since he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/a-prayerless-church-member-is-a-hindrance-he-is-in-the-body-like-a/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [What is the cause of most backslidings? I believe, as a general rule, one of the chief causes is neglect of private prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/what-is-the-cause-of-most-backslidings-i-believe-as-a-general-rule/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [Nine times out of ten, declension from God begins in the neglect of private prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/nine-times-out-of-ten-declension-from-god-begins-in-the-neglect-of/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [The strength of the church is not the strength of its institutions but the authenticity of its witness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-sweet/the-strength-of-the-church-is-not-the-strength-of-its-institutions/) [Leonard Sweet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-sweet/) > [It is labor that keeps the strong man strong. And spiritual labor, toil and burden-bearing, is what will give strength to the church of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-g-white/it-is-labor-that-keeps-the-strong-man-strong-and-spiritual-labor-toil/) [Ellen G. 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Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [Private prayer is like straw scattered here and there: If you set it on fire it makes a lot of little flames. But gather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-vianney/private-prayer-is-like-straw-scattered-here-and-there-if-you-set-it/) [John Vianney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-vianney/) ## More by Charles Spurgeon > [The more holy, the more humble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/the-more-holy-the-more-humble/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [He is not humanity deified. He is not Godhead humanized. He is God. He is man. He is all that God is, and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/he-is-not-humanity-deified-he-is-not-godhead-humanized-he-is-god-he/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [Lord, send Your life throughout the entire church. Visit Your church; restore sound doctrine and holy, earnest living. 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