Mason's Sayings on Prayer
True prayer is about a broken heart, a desire to be holy, and a willingness to obey God's commands.
John Mason emphasizes the importance of sincere and heartfelt prayer, focusing on the brokenness of heart rather than eloquent words. He highlights that true prayer is not about impressing others but about connecting with God through genuine affection and a willing heart. Mason teaches that prayer is a reflection of our faith and relationship with God, where sin hinders and affliction quickens our prayer life. He also stresses the significance of living a holy life on earth to prepare for an eternal life of worship and communion with God in heaven.
Text
Pray not to be seen of men but to be heard of God.
Prayer does not consist in gifted expressions and a volubility of speech; but in a brokenness of heart.
Imperfect broken groans from a broken heart, God will accept.
Prayer does not consist in the elegance of the phrase, but in the strength of the affection.
A hard heart cannot pray; a broken heart is made up of prayer.
When God pours out His Spirit upon man, then will man pour out his heart before God.
He that lives without prayer or prays without life, has not the Spirit of God.
Where there is a willing heart there will be a continual crying to heaven for help.
Prayer, if it be done as a task, is not prayer.
Sin quenches prayer, affliction quickens it.
The same Spirit of faith which teaches a man to cry earnestly, teaches him to wait patiently.
The breath of prayer comes from the life of faith.
A desire to be happy is natural, a desire to be holy is supernatural.
Love the men of the world, but not the things of the world.
To have a portion in the world is a mercy, to have the world for a portion is a misery.
If heaven does not enter into us by way of holiness, we shall never enter into heaven by way of happiness.
In heaven God will never hide His face any more, nor the devil show his face any more.
Can we expect to live with God in heaven if we love not to live with Him on earth?
If you love to worship God here below, God will take you up to worship Him above. You shall change your place but not your employment.
If there be any grief in heaven, surely it will be that we have done no more for God on earth.
Do the Lord's work in the Lord's time; pray while God hears, hear while God speaks, believe while God promises and obey while God commands.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Prayer
- Characteristics of Effective Prayer
- The Relationship Between Prayer and the Spirit
- The Connection Between Prayer and Holiness
- A desire to be holy is supernatural, while a desire to be happy is natural
- Love for God and His things is essential for true prayer
Key Quotes
“Pray not to be seen of men but to be heard of God.” — John Mason
“A hard heart cannot pray; a broken heart is made up of prayer.” — John Mason
“Do the Lord's work in the Lord's time; pray while God hears, hear while God speaks, believe while God promises and obey while God commands.” — John Mason
Application Points
- We must pray with a broken heart, not just with gifted expressions or the elegance of phrase.
- Our desire to be holy is more important than our desire to be happy.
- We must obey God's commands and do His work in His time if we want to be heard by Him.