Anguish Quote by David Brainerd
“In prayer I was exceedingly enlarged, and my soul was as much drawn out as I ever remember it to have been in my life. I was in such anguish, and pleaded with so much earnestness and importunity, that when I rose from my knees I felt extremely weak and overcome; I could scarce walk straight; my joints were loosed; the sweat ran down my face and body; and nature seemed as if it would dissolve…”
About This Quote
Source Diary: Personal journal of David Brainerd, 1740s
Intense spiritual anguish and physical weakness accompany deep, earnest prayer, leaving the worshipper feeling overwhelmed and fragile.
In simple terms: Deep prayer can cause physical and emotional strain.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the cost of fervent prayer.
Themes
spirituality
pain
devotion
Mood
overwhelmed
intense
reflective
Type
personal
spiritual
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- intense prayer
- spiritual seeking
- physical exhaustion
Key Concepts
religious experience
psychosomatic response
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance fervor with self‑care?
- Can spiritual struggle be a sign of growth?
A Different Perspective
Such intensity may be unsustainable without support.
