--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To be a Christian and to pray are one and…" description: "\"To be a Christian and to pray are one and the same thing; it is a matter that cannot be left to our caprice. It is a need, a kind of breathing necessar..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65e/karl-barth-3434_breathing_to-be-a-christian-and-to-pray-are-one-an_2251593.jpg" --- # To be a Christian and to pray are one and the same thing… ![“To be a Christian and to pray are one and the same thing; it is a matter that cannot be left to our caprice. It is a need, a kind of breathing necessary to life.” quote by Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65e/karl-barth-3434_breathing_to-be-a-christian-and-to-pray-are-one-an_2251593.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65e/karl-barth-3434_breathing_to-be-a-christian-and-to-pray-are-one-an_2251593.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/65e/karl-barth-3434_breathing_to-be-a-christian-and-to-pray-are-one-an_2251593.jpg) > “To be a Christian and to pray are one and the same thing; it is a matter that cannot be left to our caprice. It is a need, a kind of breathing necessary to life.” [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Prayer is essential, like breathing, for Christian life; it cannot be optional. **In simple terms:** Prayer is vital, like breathing. Key Takeaway Make prayer a daily habit. Themes religion spirituality discipline Mood reflective devotional Type theological inspirational When to use this quote - personal devotions - church services - spiritual retreats Key Concepts theology existentialism Questions to Reflect On - How does prayer shape daily decisions? - What if prayer feels empty? A Different Perspective Rigid routines may feel mechanical. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Breathing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breathing/) [Caprice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caprice/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Pray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pray/) [Praying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praying/) ## Related quotes > [“Writing is like breathing -- it is necessary for my survival.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-c-hillstrom/writing-is-like-breathing-it-is-necessary-for-my-survival/) [Michelle C. Hillstrom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-c-hillstrom/) > [One might pray and not be a Christian, but one cannot be a Christian and not pray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/one-might-pray-and-not-be-a-christian-but-one-cannot-be-a-christian/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [The greatest thing anyone can do for God and man is pray. It is not the only thing; but it is the chief thing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-greatest-thing-anyone-can-do-for-god-and-man-is-pray-it-is-not/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyday I pray for one thing,that may be one day you will forgive me but If you won't forgive me,then I won't be able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paritoshik-sharma/everyday-i-pray-for-one-thing-that-may-be-one-day-you-will-forgive-me/) [Paritoshik Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paritoshik-sharma/) > [If there be any thing a man might well pray against, that thing is the responsive gratification of some of the devoutest prayers of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/if-there-be-any-thing-a-man-might-well-pray-against-that-thing-is-the/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“we do the exact same thing when we choose to exhaust every other option in our hour of need, and then state, “All I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brady-cook/we-do-the-exact-same-thing-when-we-choose-to-exhaust-every-other/) [Brady Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brady-cook/) > [Never say you will pray about a thing; pray about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/never-say-you-will-pray-about-a-thing-pray-about-it/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [If you pray for a thing, but have fear as you pray, that you may not receive it, or that your prayer will not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/if-you-pray-for-a-thing-but-have-fear-as-you-pray-that-you-may-not/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Being from a family in church and being a Christian myself, I pray daily.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-joy-winans/being-from-a-family-in-church-and-being-a-christian-myself-i-pray/) [Deborah Joy Winans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-joy-winans/) > [“When we pray, we must remember who God is and who we are before Him. We must remember first and foremost that God's name…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-2/when-we-pray-we-must-remember-who-god-is-and-who-we-are-before-him-we/) [R.C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-2/) > [I think poetry has started to take on a supplementary role of prayer for some people. The churches, I think, including my own, are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hart/i-think-poetry-has-started-to-take-on-a-supplementary-role-of-prayer/) [Kevin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hart/) > [The most important thing a born again Christian can do is to pray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-smith/the-most-important-thing-a-born-again-christian-can-do-is-to-pray/) [Chuck Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-smith/) > [When we shoot an arrow, we look to the fall of it; when we send a ship to sea, we look for its return;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sibbes/when-we-shoot-an-arrow-we-look-to-the-fall-of-it-when-we-send-a-ship/) [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) > [Anyone who has the habit of speaking before God's majesty as if he were speaking to a slave, careless about how he is speaking,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-of-vila/anyone-who-has-the-habit-of-speaking-before-god-s-majesty-as-if-he/) [Teresa of Avila](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-of-vila/) > [I will not pray clarity for you. Clarity is the crutch of the Christian. But I will pray trust for you, that your trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/i-will-not-pray-clarity-for-you-clarity-is-the-crutch-of-the/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) ## More by Karl Barth > [If I have a system it is limited to a recognition of what Kierkegaard called 'the infinite qualitative distinction' between time and eternity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/if-i-have-a-system-it-is-limited-to-a-recognition-of-what-kierkegaard/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) > [Humor is the opposite of all self-admiration and self-praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/humor-is-the-opposite-of-all-self-admiration-and-self-praise/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) > [“Godlessness is not… a possibility, but an ontological impossibility for man. Man is not without, but with God. This is not to say, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/godlessness-is-not-a-possibility-but-an-ontological-impossibility-for/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) > [When we are at our wits' end for an answer, then the Holy Spirit can give us an answer. But how can He give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/when-we-are-at-our-wits-end-for-an-answer-then-the-holy-spirit-can/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) > [Radically and basically, all sin is simply ingratitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/radically-and-basically-all-sin-is-simply-ingratitude/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) > [Dogmatics is the testing of Church doctrine and proclamation,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/dogmatics-is-the-testing-of-church-doctrine-and-proclamation/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) > [God listens to Bach while the angels listen to Mozart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/god-listens-to-bach-while-the-angels-listen-to-mozart/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) > [“Holy Communion is offered to all, as surely as the living Jesus Christ is for all, as surely as all of us are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/holy-communion-is-offered-to-all-as-surely-as-the-living-jesus-christ/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) > [I don’t believe in universalism, but I do believe in Jesus Christ, the reconciler of all](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/i-don-t-believe-in-universalism-but-i-do-believe-in-jesus-christ-the/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) > [In Jesus, God wills to be true God not only in the height but also in the depth - in the depth of human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/in-jesus-god-wills-to-be-true-god-not-only-in-the-height-but-also-in/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) > [The term 'laity' is one of the worst in the vocabulary of religion and ought to be banished from the Christian conversation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/the-term-laity-is-one-of-the-worst-in-the-vocabulary-of-religion-and/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) > [No one can be saved - in virtue of what he can do. Everyone can be saved - in virtue of what God can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/no-one-can-be-saved-in-virtue-of-what-he-can-do-everyone-can-be-saved/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) > [Society is now really ruled by its own logos; say rather by a whole pantheon of its own hypostases and powers... we are beginning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/society-is-now-really-ruled-by-its-own-logos-say-rather-by-a-whole/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) > [There will be no song on our lips if there be no anguish in our hearts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/there-will-be-no-song-on-our-lips-if-there-be-no-anguish-in-our-hearts/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) > [With an ear open to your musical dialectic, one can be young and become old, can work and rest, be content and sad: in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/with-an-ear-open-to-your-musical-dialectic-one-can-be-young-and/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) [Explore all 131 Karl Barth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) ## More Breathing quotes > [A thing of beauty is a joy for ever;It's loveliness increase;it will never pass into nothingness;but still will keep a bower quiet for us,and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-keats/a-thing-of-beauty-is-a-joy-for-ever-it-s-loveliness-increase-it-will/) [John Keats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-keats/) > [“As long as we’re breathing, we have a chance to start over and build a stable future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-ha-campbell/as-long-as-we-re-breathing-we-have-a-chance-to-start-over-and-build-a/) [Kim Ha Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-ha-campbell/) > [People don't think much about breathing. Of all the things we take for granted, breathing has to be number one - even though it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/people-don-t-think-much-about-breathing-of-all-the-things-we-take-for/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [Aging is like enlightenment at gunpoint. Before I had cancer, I lived my life for my art. After I had cancer, I lived my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-halprin/aging-is-like-enlightenment-at-gunpoint-before-i-had-cancer-i-lived/) [Anna Halprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-halprin/) > [I wish," Jared began, and stopped, breathing in. "Do you remember how you used to believe I wasn't real? Sometimes I wish that was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-rees-brennan/i-wish-jared-began-and-stopped-breathing-in-do-you-remember-how-you/) [Sarah Rees Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-rees-brennan/) > [The still affection of the heart Became an outward breathing type, That into stillness past again, And left a want unknown before; Although the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/the-still-affection-of-the-heart-became-an-outward-breathing-type/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [Breathing is give(carbon dioxide) and take(oxygen), such is life, find balance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-williams/breathing-is-give-carbon-dioxide-and-take-oxygen-such-is-life-find/) Marcel Williams > [I'll probably be writing as long as I'm breathing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kristofferson/i-ll-probably-be-writing-as-long-as-i-m-breathing/) [Kris Kristofferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kristofferson/) > [For me writing is like breathing. I could not live without breathing and I could not live without writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-neruda/for-me-writing-is-like-breathing-i-could-not-live-without-breathing/) [Pablo Neruda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-neruda/) > [I’m in, Cat. I’d never leave you. Especially when you’ve got death breathing down your neck.” “Very funny,” I retorted, since Bones was inches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/i-m-in-cat-i-d-never-leave-you-especially-when-you-ve-got-death/) [Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/) > [Splutter, splutter. Yes - we're off - we're rising. But why start off with an engine like that? But it smooths out now, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/splutter-splutter-yes-we-re-off-we-re-rising-but-why-start-off-with/) [Anne Morrow Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/) > [He’d moved toward me again. His hands released mine and moved to my waist, and I noticed I wasn’t the only one breathing heavily.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/he-d-moved-toward-me-again-his-hands-released-mine-and-moved-to-my/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [My worry is that opera will become an historic art form as opposed to a living, breathing thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-fleming/my-worry-is-that-opera-will-become-an-historic-art-form-as-opposed-to/) [Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/) > [I'm really fascinated and you know I've been wondering about that usage of language, various breathing techniques and why in these practices language is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-acker/i-m-really-fascinated-and-you-know-i-ve-been-wondering-about-that/) [Kathy Acker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-acker/) > [I’m exactly right for you, Bella. It would have been effortless for us — comfortable, easy as breathing. I was the natural path your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/i-m-exactly-right-for-you-bella-it-would-have-been-effortless-for-us/) [Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/) [Browse all 1,666 Breathing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breathing/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To be a Christian and to pray are one and the same thing; it is a matter that cannot be left to our caprice. 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