--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Prayer is a trade to be learned. We must…" description: "\"Prayer is a trade to be learned. We must be apprentices and serve our time at it. Painstaking care, much thought, practice and labour are required to b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d75/edward-mckendree-bounds-1955_apprentice_prayer-is-a-trade-to-be-learned-we-must_2145875.png" --- # Prayer is a trade to be learned. We must be apprentices… ![“Prayer is a trade to be learned. We must be apprentices and serve our time at it. Painstaking care, much thought, practice and labour are required to be a skillful tradesman in praying. Practice in this, as well as in all other trades, makes perfect.” quote by Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d75/edward-mckendree-bounds-1955_apprentice_prayer-is-a-trade-to-be-learned-we-must_2145875.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d75/edward-mckendree-bounds-1955_apprentice_prayer-is-a-trade-to-be-learned-we-must_2145875.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d75/edward-mckendree-bounds-1955_apprentice_prayer-is-a-trade-to-be-learned-we-must_2145875.png) > “Prayer is a trade to be learned. We must be apprentices and serve our time at it. Painstaking care, much thought, practice and labour are required to be a skillful tradesman in praying. Practice in this, as well as in all other trades, makes perfect.” [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Prayer requires disciplined practice, patience, and learning, much like any skilled trade, to become effective. **In simple terms:** Prayer is a skill that needs practice. Key Takeaway Treat prayer like a craft: study, practice, improve. Themes spirituality discipline skill development Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal devotion - religious education - daily meditation - spiritual retreats Key Concepts theology habit formation mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - What habits can you develop to improve your prayer life? - How does treating prayer as a trade change its meaning? A Different Perspective Not all traditions view prayer as a skill to be honed; some see it as spontaneous. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Apprentice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apprentice/) [Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bounds/) [Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Labour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labour/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Praying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praying/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Trade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trade/) ## Related quotes > [There are many skillful apprentices, but few master workmen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/there-are-many-skillful-apprentices-but-few-master-workmen/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [There is not a manufacturer or tradesman in existence, who would not employ a man who takes a reasonable degree of pride in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/there-is-not-a-manufacturer-or-tradesman-in-existence-who-would-not/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [To the body and mind which have been cramped by noxious work or company, nature is medicinal and restores their tone. The tradesman, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/to-the-body-and-mind-which-have-been-cramped-by-noxious-work-or-2/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Everything that is done in the world is done by hope. No merchant or tradesman would set himself to work if he did not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/everything-that-is-done-in-the-world-is-done-by-hope-no-merchant-or/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [My father thought of himself as a tradesman. A craftsman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-steinbeck/my-father-thought-of-himself-as-a-tradesman-a-craftsman/) [Thomas Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-steinbeck/) > [What would people think of a tradesman, that was to give a ball in his shop, hire performers, and hand refreshments about, with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baptiste-say/what-would-people-think-of-a-tradesman-that-was-to-give-a-ball-in-his/) [Jean-Baptiste Say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baptiste-say/) > [It's no good starting out by thinking one is a heaven-born genius- some people are, but very few. No, one is a tradesman -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agatha-christie/it-s-no-good-starting-out-by-thinking-one-is-a-heaven-born-genius/) [Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agatha-christie/) > [You're an Apprentice! You're not ready to think!" Gilan and Halt. The Ruins of Gorlan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/you-re-an-apprentice-you-re-not-ready-to-think-gilan-and-halt-the/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [The professional respects his craft. He does not consider himself superior to it. He recognizes the contributions of those who have gone before him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pressfield/the-professional-respects-his-craft-he-does-not-consider-himself/) [Steven Pressfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pressfield/) > [“If Education was a guild, I would still be an apprentice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kambiz-mostofizadeh/if-education-was-a-guild-i-would-still-be-an-apprentice/) [Kambiz Mostofizadeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kambiz-mostofizadeh/) > [When by habit a man cometh to have a bargaining soul, its wings are cut, so that it can never soar. It bindeth reason…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-george-savile-8th-baronet/when-by-habit-a-man-cometh-to-have-a-bargaining-soul-its-wings-are/) [Sir George Savile, 8th Baronet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-george-savile-8th-baronet/) > [Faith in your new apprentice, misplaced may be. As is your faith in the dark side of the Force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/faith-in-your-new-apprentice-misplaced-may-be-as-is-your-faith-in-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Thanks to NBC News and thanks to the NBC primetime TV network, Donald Trump has been in living rooms for 11 years being who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/thanks-to-nbc-news-and-thanks-to-the-nbc-primetime-tv-network-donald/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [I'm a working-class former apprentice electrician; at the age of 14, if you'd told me I would one day be standing on a stage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gordon-sinclair/i-m-a-working-class-former-apprentice-electrician-at-the-age-of-14-if/) [John Gordon Sinclair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gordon-sinclair/) > [Donald Trump said he will not decide about a possible run for the presidency until after the current season of Celebrity Apprentice wraps up.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/donald-trump-said-he-will-not-decide-about-a-possible-run-for-the/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) ## More by Edward McKendree Bounds > [Importunity is a condition of prayer. We are to press the matter, not with vain repetitions, but with urgent repetitions. We repeat, not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/importunity-is-a-condition-of-prayer-we-are-to-press-the-matter-not/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [The pride of learning is against the dependent humility of prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/the-pride-of-learning-is-against-the-dependent-humility-of-prayer/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [Men who pray are, in reality, the only religious men, and it takes a full-measured man to pray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/men-who-pray-are-in-reality-the-only-religious-men-and-it-takes-a/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/if-god-is-not-first-in-our-thoughts-and-efforts-in-the-morning-he/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [Prayer is a specific divine appointment, an ordinance of Heaven, whereby God purposes to carry out His gracious designs on earth and to execute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/prayer-is-a-specific-divine-appointment-an-ordinance-of-heaven/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [It is necessary to iterate and reiterate that prayer, as a mere habit, as a performance gone through by routine or in a professional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/it-is-necessary-to-iterate-and-reiterate-that-prayer-as-a-mere-habit/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [There is power through prayer. For many Christians, prayer is nothing special, just something we're supposed to do - go to church, tithe, read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/there-is-power-through-prayer-for-many-christians-prayer-is-nothing/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [The most important lesson we can learn is how to pray. Prayers do not die, prayers live before God, and God's heart is set…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/the-most-important-lesson-we-can-learn-is-how-to-pray-prayers-do-not/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [If we would have God in the closet, God must have us out of the closet. There is no way of praying to God,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/if-we-would-have-god-in-the-closet-god-must-have-us-out-of-the-closet/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [They are not leaders because of brilliancy. ...but because, by the power of prayer, they could command the power of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/they-are-not-leaders-because-of-brilliancy-but-because-by-the-power/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [God's Word does not say, "Call unto me, and you will thereby be trained into the happy art of knowing how to be denied.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/god-s-word-does-not-say-call-unto-me-and-you-will-thereby-be-trained/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [The resurrection of Jesus Christ was necessary to establish the truth of his mission and put the stamp of all-conquering power on his gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ-was-necessary-to-establish-the-truth/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [Jesus taught that perseverance is the essential element of prayer. Men must be in earnest when they kneel at God's footstool. Too often we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/jesus-taught-that-perseverance-is-the-essential-element-of-prayer-men/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [Prayer makes a godly man, and puts within him "the mind of Christ," the mind of humility, of self-surrender, of service, of pity, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/prayer-makes-a-godly-man-and-puts-within-him-the-mind-of-christ-the/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [Prayer, like faith, obtains promises, enlarges their operation, and adds to the measure of their results.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/prayer-like-faith-obtains-promises-enlarges-their-operation-and-adds/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) [Explore all 195 Edward McKendree Bounds quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) ## More Apprentice quotes > [Donald Trump said he will not decide about a possible run for the presidency until after the current season of Celebrity Apprentice wraps up.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/donald-trump-said-he-will-not-decide-about-a-possible-run-for-the/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [I'm a working-class former apprentice electrician; at the age of 14, if you'd told me I would one day be standing on a stage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gordon-sinclair/i-m-a-working-class-former-apprentice-electrician-at-the-age-of-14-if/) [John Gordon Sinclair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gordon-sinclair/) > [Thanks to NBC News and thanks to the NBC primetime TV network, Donald Trump has been in living rooms for 11 years being who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/thanks-to-nbc-news-and-thanks-to-the-nbc-primetime-tv-network-donald/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Faith in your new apprentice, misplaced may be. As is your faith in the dark side of the Force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/faith-in-your-new-apprentice-misplaced-may-be-as-is-your-faith-in-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When by habit a man cometh to have a bargaining soul, its wings are cut, so that it can never soar. It bindeth reason…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-george-savile-8th-baronet/when-by-habit-a-man-cometh-to-have-a-bargaining-soul-its-wings-are/) [Sir George Savile, 8th Baronet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-george-savile-8th-baronet/) > [“If Education was a guild, I would still be an apprentice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kambiz-mostofizadeh/if-education-was-a-guild-i-would-still-be-an-apprentice/) [Kambiz Mostofizadeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kambiz-mostofizadeh/) > [The professional respects his craft. He does not consider himself superior to it. He recognizes the contributions of those who have gone before him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pressfield/the-professional-respects-his-craft-he-does-not-consider-himself/) [Steven Pressfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pressfield/) > [You're an Apprentice! You're not ready to think!" Gilan and Halt. The Ruins of Gorlan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/you-re-an-apprentice-you-re-not-ready-to-think-gilan-and-halt-the/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [Had it not been for 'The Apprentice' and Donald Trump, I wouldn't have met my wife through an interview with 'E! News.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-rancic/had-it-not-been-for-the-apprentice-and-donald-trump-i-wouldn-t-have/) [Bill Rancic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-rancic/) > [The first time I saw Giggsy, he was playing for Salford Boys against United's apprentices. 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And I was happy with that job, too, because it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-wahlberg/music-is-my-life-the-last-job-i-had-i-was-a-bricklayer-s-apprentice/) [Mark Wahlberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-wahlberg/) > [Every bad joke, every endorsement deal, all of the things that a typical host would normally get creamed for, people don't mind, because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-rowe/every-bad-joke-every-endorsement-deal-all-of-the-things-that-a/) [Mike Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-rowe/) > [I don't regret putting 'The Apprentice' on television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-zucker/i-don-t-regret-putting-the-apprentice-on-television/) [Jeff Zucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-zucker/) [Browse all 175 Apprentice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apprentice/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Prayer is a trade to be learned. 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