--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Lord, if I thought you were listening…" description: "\"Lord, if I thought you were listening, I'd pray for this above all: that any church set up in your name should remain poor, and powerless, and modest. ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7eb/philip-pullman-525_authority_lord-if-i-thought-you-were-listening-i-d_1432674.png" --- # Lord, if I thought you were listening, I'd pray for this… ![“Lord, if I thought you were listening, I'd pray for this above all: that any church set up in your name should remain poor, and powerless, and modest. That it should wield no authority except that of love. That it should never cast anyone out. That it should own no property and make no laws. That…” quote by Philip Pullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7eb/philip-pullman-525_authority_lord-if-i-thought-you-were-listening-i-d_1432674.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7eb/philip-pullman-525_authority_lord-if-i-thought-you-were-listening-i-d_1432674.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7eb/philip-pullman-525_authority_lord-if-i-thought-you-were-listening-i-d_1432674.png) > “Lord, if I thought you were listening, I'd pray for this above all: that any church set up in your name should remain poor, and powerless, and modest. That it should wield no authority except that of love. That it should never cast anyone out. That it should own no property and make no laws. That it should not condemn, but only forgive.” [Philip Pullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-pullman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A prayer for a church that embodies humility, love, and forgiveness without power or wealth. **In simple terms:** A humble, loving church without authority. Key Takeaway Support compassion over control. Themes faith humility love social justice Mood reflective hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - church reform - social activism - interfaith dialogue - personal spirituality Key Concepts theology ethical leadership community building Questions to Reflect On - How can religious institutions embody true humility? - What challenges arise when rejecting material power? A Different Perspective Implementing such ideals may clash with institutional structures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Authority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Forgiving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiving/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lord/) [Powerless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/powerless/) [Pray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pray/) [Praying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praying/) [Property](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/property/) ## Related quotes > [“Lord, if I thought you were listening, I'd pray for this above all: that any church set up in your name should remain poor,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-pullman/lord-if-i-thought-you-were-listening-i-d-pray-for-this-above-all-that-2/) [Philip Pullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-pullman/) > [It is difficult to live with the pure. 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