--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: …I interviewed ordinary people about…" description: "\"“…I interviewed ordinary people about prayer. Typically, the results went like this: Is Prayer important to you? Oh, yes. How often to you pray? Every ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea9/philip-yancey-840_christianity_i-interviewed-ordinary-people-about-pray_866327.jpg" --- # …I interviewed ordinary people about prayer. Typically… ![“…I interviewed ordinary people about prayer. Typically, the results went like this: Is Prayer important to you? Oh, yes. How often to you pray? Every day. Approximately how long? Five minutes – well, maybe seven. Do you sense the presence of God when you pray? Occasionally, not often. Many of…” quote by Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea9/philip-yancey-840_christianity_i-interviewed-ordinary-people-about-pray_866327.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea9/philip-yancey-840_christianity_i-interviewed-ordinary-people-about-pray_866327.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea9/philip-yancey-840_christianity_i-interviewed-ordinary-people-about-pray_866327.jpg) > ““…I interviewed ordinary people about prayer. Typically, the results went like this: Is Prayer important to you? Oh, yes. How often to you pray? Every day. Approximately how long? Five minutes – well, maybe seven. Do you sense the presence of God when you pray? Occasionally, not often. Many of those I talked to experienced prayer more as a burden than as a pleasure. They regarded it as important, even paramount, and felt guilty about their failure, blaming themselves. Does this sound familiar? (pp. 14/Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?)”” [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote highlights the tension between the perceived importance of prayer and the personal burden or guilt many feel when they cannot meet their own expectations. **In simple terms:** Prayer is seen as important but can feel burdensome and guilt‑inducing. Key Takeaway Recognize prayer as personal, not a performance. Themes spirituality guilt religion practice psychology Mood introspective thoughtful Type religious psychological When to use this quote - personal reflection - pastoral counseling - community groups Key Concepts faith self‑compassion expectations Questions to Reflect On - Do you pray out of love or obligation? - How can prayer become a source of peace? A Different Perspective Some view prayer as duty, not joy, which can cause spiritual strain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) ## Related quotes > [Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, Uttered or unexpressed, The motion of a hidden fire That trembles in the breast. 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If I'm tense about something or need to pray for protection for my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-knowles/my-book-of-prayer-is-the-most-important-thing-i-carry-if-i-m-tense/) [Tina Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-knowles/) > [Begin to realize more and more that prayer is the most important thing you do. You can use your time to no better advantage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ole-hallesby/begin-to-realize-more-and-more-that-prayer-is-the-most-important/) [Ole Hallesby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ole-hallesby/) > [Do I pray? Yes. Prayer is very important to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-farmiga/do-i-pray-yes-prayer-is-very-important-to-me/) [Vera Farmiga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-farmiga/) > [Being a person of prayer is the most important calling in one’s life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-bickle/being-a-person-of-prayer-is-the-most-important-calling-in-one-s-life/) [Mike Bickle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-bickle/) > [Prayer is the most important thing that I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-huizenga/prayer-is-the-most-important-thing-that-i-do/) [Wayne Huizenga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-huizenga/) > [It takes us long to learn that prayer is more important than organization, more powerful than armies, more influential than wealth and mightier than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-chadwick/it-takes-us-long-to-learn-that-prayer-is-more-important-than/) [Samuel Chadwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-chadwick/) > [Prayer's important, not just as some kind of a metaphysical exercise, but I think it's a way to refresh one's own mind and motive.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-huckabee/prayer-s-important-not-just-as-some-kind-of-a-metaphysical-exercise/) [Mike Huckabee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-huckabee/) > [“Still, nothing will help unless there is plenty of prayer. 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