Henri Nouwen Quotes

Prayer is to the Christian what breath is to life, yet no duty of the Christian is so neglected.

Nine times out of ten, declension from God begins in the neglect of private prayer.

Prayer is an art which only the Spirit can teach us. He is the giver of all prayer.

Nothing is more vital than prayer in Christian existence, and few things are more vulnerable to neglect.

Prayer is the center of the Christian life. It is the only necessary thing. It is living with God, here and now.

Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.

Mental prayer in my opinion is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us. The important thing is not to think much but to love much and so do that which best stirs you to love. Love is not great delight but desire to please God in everything.

Whoever has not begun the practice of prayer, I beg for the love of the Lord not to go without so great a good. There is nothing here to fear but only something to desire.

Maybe the words that I say is just another way to pray.

To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.

Do not neglect secret prayer, for it is the soul of religion.

Dear children in Jesus Christ, prayer is absolutely necessary.

For me, making time for God is like making time to fill my stomach - like the physical space in the stomach needs food, spiritual space in one's soul needs regular prayer.

It's very important to have that prayer life. It's very important to communicate always.

The little estimate we put on prayer is evidence from the little time we give to it.

Prayer is not optional for the Christian; it is required.

If you have ever prayed in the dawn you will ask yourself why you were so foolish as not to do it always: it is difficult to get into communion with God in the midst of the hurly-burly of the day.

Get into the habit of dealing with God about everything. Unless in the first waking moment of the day you learn to fling the door wide back and let God in, you will work on a wrong level all day; but swing the door wide open and pray to your Father in secret, and every public thing will be stamped with the presence of God.

Like art, like music, like so many other disciplines, prayer can only be appreciated when you actually spend time in it. Spending time with the Master will elevate your thinking. The more you pray, the more will be revealed. You will appreciate not only the greatness of prayer, but the greatness of God.

Prayer is not just getting ready for Christian service. Prayer is Christian service.

Souls who do not practice prayer are like people whose limbs are paralyzed.

Prayer is nothing else than a sense of God's presence

The neglect of prayer is a grand hindrance to holiness.

Of all spiritual disciplines prayer is the most central because it ushers us into perpetual communion with the Father.

If He has said much about prayer, it is because He knows we have much need of it.