Afternoon Quote by Henri Nouwen
“There is a Wonderful story in the Gospel of Luke (6:12-26). Jesus went up to the mountain to pray at night; in the morning he came down from the mountain and called his twelve apostles around him. In the afternoon he went out on the plain with them to preach the Good News and heal the sick. He had communion with God first, then he had community, and then he went out to do the work of God. That's the order of things.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen, 1992
Spiritual work follows a sequence: prayer, community, then service; communion with the divine precedes and enables outreach.
In simple terms: Prayer, then community, then work.
Key Takeaway
Begin with personal communion before serving others.
Themes
spirituality
order
community
service
prayer
Mood
reflective
contemplative
Type
inspirational
devotional
When to use this quote
- daily prayer
- small group fellowship
- volunteering
- mission trips
Key Concepts
hierarchy of practice
inner foundation
outward action
Questions to Reflect On
- What practices help maintain this order?
- How does community strengthen service?
A Different Perspective
Balancing personal devotion with external duties can be challenging.
![“Thomas Goodwin Jr. wrote of his godly father: In all the violence of [his fever], he discoursed with that strength of faith and assurance of Christ’s love, with that holy admiration of free grace, with that joy in believing, and such thanksgivings and praises, as he extremely moved and affected…” quote by Thomas Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0a3/thomas-goodwin-15928_communion-with-god_thomas-goodwin-jr-wrote-of-his-godly-fat_122316.jpg)
