---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In order to have real prayer and action…"
description: "\"In order to have real prayer and action to change things, we must have conviction as to the need of prayer and action. In order to have conviction as t..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/960/john-mott-23446_action_in-order-to-have-real-prayer-and-action_1122129.jpg"
---

#  In order to have real prayer and action to change things…

![“In order to have real prayer and action to change things, we must have conviction as to the need of prayer and action. In order to have conviction as to the need of prayer and action, we must have knowledge.” quote by John Mott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/960/john-mott-23446_action_in-order-to-have-real-prayer-and-action_1122129.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/960/john-mott-23446_action_in-order-to-have-real-prayer-and-action_1122129.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/960/john-mott-23446_action_in-order-to-have-real-prayer-and-action_1122129.jpg)

> “In order to have real prayer and action to change things, we must have conviction as to the need of prayer and action. In order to have conviction as to the need of prayer and action, we must have knowledge.”

[John Mott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mott/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Effective prayer and action require both conviction and knowledge of why they are needed, linking belief with understanding.

**In simple terms:** Conviction and knowledge are essential for meaningful prayer and action.

Key Takeaway

Combine belief with informed purpose.

Themes

faith action conviction knowledge purpose

Mood

thoughtful motivational

Type

spiritual practical

When to use this quote

- mission work
- social activism
- personal goal setting

Key Concepts

belief without understanding uninformed action spiritual efficacy

Questions to Reflect On

- What knowledge underpins your convictions?
- How can you deepen understanding before acting?

A Different Perspective

Without knowledge, conviction may be misguided.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Action Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action-knowledge-1885367/) [Change things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-things/) [Conviction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conviction/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Need prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need-prayer/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Prayer Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer-action-861362/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Real Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-prayer-415189/)

## Related quotes

> [You are your own most important resource for making your life work. Life rewards action. Until your knowledge, awareness, insights, and understandings are translated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/you-are-your-own-most-important-resource-for-making-your-life-work/)

[Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/)

> [Without the possibility of action, all knowledge comes to one labeled 'file and forget.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-ellison/without-the-possibility-of-action-all-knowledge-comes-to-one-labeled/)

[Ralph Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-ellison/)

> [In my experience, what is often missing between intent and action is the knowledge and the means to actually change the way we do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arancha-gonzalez/in-my-experience-what-is-often-missing-between-intent-and-action-is/)

[Arancha Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arancha-gonzalez/)

> [“Knowledge without action is like a bow without a string.” A relationship as close as blood relationship must be established between knowledge and action.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/knowledge-without-action-is-like-a-bow-without-a-string-a/)

[Franz Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/)

> [The only knowledge that can truly orient action is knowledge that frees itself from mere human interests and is based in Ideas - in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jurgen-habermas/the-only-knowledge-that-can-truly-orient-action-is-knowledge-that/)

[Jurgen Habermas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jurgen-habermas/)

> [Knowledge without action is wastefulness and action without knowledge is foolishness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-ghazali/knowledge-without-action-is-wastefulness-and-action-without-knowledge/)

[Al-Ghazali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-ghazali/)

> [God has not changed; and His ear is just as quick to hear the voice of real prayer, and His hand is just as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-a-torrey/god-has-not-changed-and-his-ear-is-just-as-quick-to-hear-the-voice-of/)

[R. A. Torrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-a-torrey/)

> [“I was reminded of the old man who used to go into a large city church every day and just sit there. One day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-cameron/i-was-reminded-of-the-old-man-who-used-to-go-into-a-large-city-church/)

[Alexander Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-cameron/)

> [Real prayer comes not from gritting our teeth but from falling in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-foster/real-prayer-comes-not-from-gritting-our-teeth-but-from-falling-in-love/)

[Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/)

> [I have seen God do more in people's lives during ten minutes of real prayer than in ten of my sermons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cymbala/i-have-seen-god-do-more-in-people-s-lives-during-ten-minutes-of-real/)

[Jim Cymbala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cymbala/)

> [Real prayer is union with God,...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/real-prayer-is-union-with-god/)

[Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/)

> [“Do not be fooled. Passive prayers hastily tossed out as some second-thought appeasement at those junctures when life’s more pressing duties benevolently grant us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/do-not-be-fooled-passive-prayers-hastily-tossed-out-as-some-second/)

[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

> [Prayer involves transformed passions. In prayer, real prayer, we begin to think God's thoughts after Him: to desire the things He desires, to love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-foster/prayer-involves-transformed-passions-in-prayer-real-prayer-we-begin/)

[Richard J. Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-foster/)

> [Real prayer is communion with God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/real-prayer-is-communion-with-god/)

[Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/)

> [Real prayer is communion with God, so that there will be common thoughts between His mind and ours. What is needed is for Him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/real-prayer-is-communion-with-god-so-that-there-will-be-common/)

[Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/)

## More by John Mott

> [A most highly multiplying trait in point of far-reaching influences is that of ability to discover and use strong men. This trait stands out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mott/a-most-highly-multiplying-trait-in-point-of-far-reaching-influences/)

[John Mott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mott/)

> [If added power attends the united prayer of two or three, what mighty triumphs there will be when hundreds of thousands of consistent members…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mott/if-added-power-attends-the-united-prayer-of-two-or-three-what-mighty/)

[John Mott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mott/)

> [The invasion of the Church by the world is a menace to the extension of Christ's Kingdom. In all ages conformity to the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mott/the-invasion-of-the-church-by-the-world-is-a-menace-to-the-extension/)

[John Mott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mott/)

> [Words . . . present a picture of the inward man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mott/words-present-a-picture-of-the-inward-man/)

[John Mott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mott/)

> [No other generation but ours can evangelize the present generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mott/no-other-generation-but-ours-can-evangelize-the-present-generation/)

[John Mott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mott/)

> [The Church has not yet touched the fringe of the possibilities of intercessory prayer. Her largest victories will be witnessed when individual Christians everywhere…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mott/the-church-has-not-yet-touched-the-fringe-of-the-possibilities-of/)

[John Mott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mott/)

> [It is a startling and solemnizing fact that even as late as the twentieth century, the Great Command of Jesus Christ to carry the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mott/it-is-a-startling-and-solemnizing-fact-that-even-as-late-as-the/)

[John Mott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mott/)

> [Prayer alone will overcome the gigantic difficulties which confront the workers in every field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mott/prayer-alone-will-overcome-the-gigantic-difficulties-which-confront/)

[John Mott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mott/)

> [Evangelism without social work is deficient; social work without evangelism is impotent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mott/evangelism-without-social-work-is-deficient-social-work-without/)

[John Mott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mott/)

> [The history of missions is a history of prayer. Everything vital to the success of the world's evangelization hinges on prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mott/the-history-of-missions-is-a-history-of-prayer-everything-vital-to/)

[John Mott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mott/)

> [While life lasts, I am an evangelist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mott/while-life-lasts-i-am-an-evangelist/)

[John Mott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mott/)

> [Let methods be changed, therefore, if necessary, that prayer may be given its true place. Let there be days set apart for intercession; let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mott/let-methods-be-changed-therefore-if-necessary-that-prayer-may-be/)

[John Mott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mott/)

> [The world asks, How much does he give? Christ asks why does he give?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mott/the-world-asks-how-much-does-he-give-christ-asks-why-does-he-give/)

[John Mott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mott/)

> [You ask me, How much time? I do not know. I know it means time enough to forget time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mott/you-ask-me-how-much-time-i-do-not-know-i-know-it-means-time-enough-to/)

[John Mott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mott/)

> [From the day of Pentecost until the present time, it has been necessary to be of one accord in prayer before the Spirit of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mott/from-the-day-of-pentecost-until-the-present-time-it-has-been/)

[John Mott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mott/)

[Explore all 26 John Mott quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mott/)

## More Action quotes

> [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/)

[Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/)

> [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/)

[Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/)

> [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/)

[William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/)

> [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/)

[Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/)

> [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/)

[Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/)

> [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/)

[Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/)

> [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/)

[Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/)

> [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/)

[Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/)

> [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/)

[Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/)

> [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/)

[Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/)

[Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "In order to have real prayer and action to change things, we must have conviction as to the need of prayer and action. In order to have conviction as to the need of prayer and action, we must have knowledge.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "John Mott"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mott/in-order-to-have-real-prayer-and-action-to-change-things-we-must-have/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Action"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mott/in-order-to-have-real-prayer-and-action-to-change-things-we-must-have/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/960/john-mott-23446_action_in-order-to-have-real-prayer-and-action_1122129.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/960/john-mott-23446_action_in-order-to-have-real-prayer-and-action_1122129.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/960/john-mott-23446_action_in-order-to-have-real-prayer-and-action_1122129.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“In order to have real prayer and action to change things, we must have conviction as to the need of prayer…” — John Mott",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "John Mott",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mott/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "In order to have real prayer...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mott/in-order-to-have-real-prayer-and-action-to-change-things-we-must-have/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mott/in-order-to-have-real-prayer-and-action-to-change-things-we-must-have/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
