--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: True prayer is done in secret, but this…" description: "\"True prayer is done in secret, but this does not rule out the fellowship of prayer altogether, however clearly we may be aware of its dangers. In the l..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57b/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_body_true-prayer-is-done-in-secret-but-this-d_400112.jpg" --- # True prayer is done in secret, but this does not rule out… ![“True prayer is done in secret, but this does not rule out the fellowship of prayer altogether, however clearly we may be aware of its dangers. In the last resort it is immaterial whether we pray in the open street or in the secrecy of our chambers, whether briefly or lenghtily, in the Litany of…” quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57b/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_body_true-prayer-is-done-in-secret-but-this-d_400112.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57b/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_body_true-prayer-is-done-in-secret-but-this-d_400112.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57b/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_body_true-prayer-is-done-in-secret-but-this-d_400112.jpg) > “True prayer is done in secret, but this does not rule out the fellowship of prayer altogether, however clearly we may be aware of its dangers. In the last resort it is immaterial whether we pray in the open street or in the secrecy of our chambers, whether briefly or lenghtily, in the Litany of the Church, or with the sigh of one who knows not what he should pray for. True prayer does not depend either on the individual or the whole body of the faithful, but solely upon the knowledge that our Heavenly Father knows our needs.” [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) ## 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 value lies in sincerity and reliance on God, not in public display or length. **In simple terms:** True prayer is private and sincere. Key Takeaway Seek genuine communion with God. Themes faith prayer authenticity humility Mood contemplative serene Type spiritual reflective When to use this quote - personal meditation - private worship - church services - confessional practice Key Concepts theology spiritual discipline dependence Questions to Reflect On - How does secrecy affect the depth of your prayer? - What risks arise when prayer is performed for show? A Different Perspective Public rituals may become hollow without inner conviction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Danger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/danger/) [Faithful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faithful/) [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [Fellowship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fellowship/) [Heavenly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heavenly/) [Heavenly father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heavenly-father/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Last resort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/last-resort/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Praying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praying/) [Resorts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resorts/) [Secrecy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secrecy/) [Secret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secret/) [Streets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/streets/) ## Related quotes > [That prayer which does not succeed in moderating our wishes--in changing the passionate desire into still submission, the anxious, tumultuous expectation into silent surrender--is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-william-robertson/that-prayer-which-does-not-succeed-in-moderating-our-wishes-in/) [Frederick William Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-william-robertson/) > [Prayer does not mean simply to pour out one's heart. It means rather to find the way to God and to speak with him,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/prayer-does-not-mean-simply-to-pour-out-one-s-heart-it-means-rather/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“But it is a dangerous error, surely very widespread among Christians, to think that the heart can pray by itself. For then we confuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/but-it-is-a-dangerous-error-surely-very-widespread-among-christians/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [Hardwork and prayer is the secret of success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/onuh-justus-izuchukwu/hardwork-and-prayer-is-the-secret-of-success/) [Onuh Justus Izuchukwu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/onuh-justus-izuchukwu/) > [Prayer is the difference between you fighting for God and God fighting for you. Secret prayer is our secret weapon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-batterson/prayer-is-the-difference-between-you-fighting-for-god-and-god/) [Mark Batterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-batterson/) > [Meditation and prayer are my secret weapons, and when I use them, I can move mountains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syesha-mercado/meditation-and-prayer-are-my-secret-weapons-and-when-i-use-them-i-can/) [Syesha Mercado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syesha-mercado/) > [Prayer - secret, fervent, believing prayer - lies at the root of all personal godliness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-carey/prayer-secret-fervent-believing-prayer-lies-at-the-root-of-all/) [William Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-carey/) > [A dynamic praying church must be built from the inside out, employing all four levels of prayer: the secret closet, the family altar, small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-burr/a-dynamic-praying-church-must-be-built-from-the-inside-out-employing/) [Richard Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-burr/) > [It has been said by many great Christians that prayer is our secret weapon. 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That's the secret of successful evangelism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/spend-more-time-in-study-and-prayer-that-s-the-secret-of-successful/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [“Grace interpreted as a principle, pecca fortiter as a principle, grace at a low cost, is in the last resort simply a new law,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/grace-interpreted-as-a-principle-pecca-fortiter-as-a-principle-grace/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [Consequently there is a need for spiritual vitality. What protection is there against the danger of organisation? Man is once more faced with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/consequently-there-is-a-need-for-spiritual-vitality-what-protection/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [It is remarkable how I am never quite clear about the motives for any of my decisions. Is that a sign of confusion or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/it-is-remarkable-how-i-am-never-quite-clear-about-the-motives-for-any/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [grace at a low cost, is in the last resort simply a new law, which brings neither help nor freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/grace-at-a-low-cost-is-in-the-last-resort-simply-a-new-law-which/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) ## More by Dietrich Bonhoeffer > [So the fool, as distinct from the scoundrel, is completely self- satisfied; in fact, he can easily become dangerous, as it does not take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/so-the-fool-as-distinct-from-the-scoundrel-is-completely-self/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [Why do Christians sing when they are together? 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Otherwise the church becomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/the-church-can-only-defend-its-own-space-by-fighting-not-for-space/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [There remains an experience of incomparable value . . . to see the great events of world history from below; from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/there-remains-an-experience-of-incomparable-value-to-see-the-great/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“To endure the cross is not a tragedy; it is the suffering which is the fruit of an exclusive allegiance to Jesus Christ. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/to-endure-the-cross-is-not-a-tragedy-it-is-the-suffering-which-is-the/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“There is only one church, the church of faith ruled by the word of Jesus Christ alone. 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