Sermon Central
-
The Prayer Of Cyrus ...
Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 7, 2009 (message contributor)
“The Prayer of Cyrus Brown.”
“’The proper way for a man to pray,’ said Deacon Lamuel Keyes,
’and the only proper attitude is down upon his knees.’
’No, I should say the way to pray,’ said Reverend Doctor Wise,
’is standing straight with outstretched arms and rapt and upturned eyes.’
’Oh, no, no, no!” said Elder Sloe. ’Such posture is too proud.
A man should pray with eyes fast closed and head contritely bowed.’
’It seems to me his hands should be austerely clasped in front,
with both thumbs pointing toward the ground,’ said Reverend Doctor Blunt.
’Last year I fell in Hodkin’s well, head first,’ said Cyrus Brown.
’With both my heels a-stickin’ up, my head apointin’ down.
And I made a prayer right then and there, the best prayer I ever said,
the prayenist prayer I ever prayed was astandin’ on my head.’”
Have you had any experiences like Cyrus Brown? Have been in any situations where at least metaphorically your heels were a-stickin’ up, and your head was apointin’ down?
Source: Sam Walter Foss (1858–1911) as quoted by J. Vernon McGee, On Prayer: Praying and Living in the Father’s Will (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2002), 21–24.
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
One Sunday Evening, William Booth Was Walking In ... PRO
Contributed by Dan Cormie on Sep 15, 2003
One Sunday evening, William Booth was walking in London with his son, Bramwell, who was then 12 or 13 years old. The father surprised the son by taking him into a saloon! The place was crowded with men and women, many of them bearing on their faces the marks of vice and crime; some were drunk. The ...read more
-
The Quality Of A Man's Life Is In Direct ...
Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Oct 13, 2004
"The quality of a man’s life is in direct proportion to his commitment to excellence, regardless of his chosen field or endeavor.... I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour -- his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear -- is that moment when he has worked his heart ...read more
-
A Faithful Christian Soldier Went To His ... PRO
Contributed by Sean Smuts on Aug 4, 2003
A faithful Christian soldier went to his chaplain for advice. “Last night,” he said, “when I knelt by my bed and prayed, the fellows began to ridicule me and throw shoes at me. What should I do?” “Well,” said the chaplain, “why don’t you stop kneeling down? Just lie down in bed and lift your heart ...read more
-
There's A Story Of The Italian Poet Dante ... PRO
Contributed by Pat Cook on Aug 4, 2003
There’s a story of the Italian poet Dante Alighieri, who was deeply immersed in meditation during a church service, and he failed to kneel at the appropriate moment. His enemies hurried to the bishop and demanded that Dante be punished for his sacrilege. Dante defended himself by saying, “If those ...read more
-
John Piper Wrote, "What Is God Looking For In ... PRO
Contributed by Dana Chau on Apr 17, 2003
John Piper wrote, "What is God looking for in the world? Assistants? No. The gospel is not a help-wanted ad. It is a help-available ad. God is not looking for people to work for ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Childlike Prayer Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 28, 2016
A lot of people think if they just had the right "formula" for praying that God would hear them. But that's not true. God's not impressed with your form, He's impressed with your childlike faith in prayer. So, how can I have that kind of faith in prayer?
-
The Power Of Helpless Praying
Contributed by Bob Joyce on Aug 30, 2007
You cannot know that God answers helpless prayers until you are in a helpless and hopeless situation. Only then will you come to know God as the God who answers helpless prayers.
-
If Jesus Is God, Why Did Jesus Need To Pray? Series
Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 6, 2016
The Gospels record 17 specific occasions when Jesus prayed. Jesus prayed at different times of the day. He prayed in different places. Sometimes He prayed on His own, and sometimes when His Disciples were with Him.
-
Power Through Prayer
Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Aug 22, 2016
Church, we need to be able to get a hold of the Lord. We need that as individuals and we need that as a church. The only way that will ever happen is for us to come together like the early church and make seeking God our priority
-
Fill 'er Up: A Praying Community Series
Contributed by Paul Decker on Sep 17, 2006
We should pray for our spiritual growth.
