Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers… Ephesians 1.15, 16

The Christian Ministry: Part II, chapter V
Charles Bridges (1794-1869)
“Prayer is the ornament of the priesthood, the leading feature of our character. Without prayer, a Minister is of no use to the church, nor of any advantage to mankind. He sows; and God gives no increase. He preaches; and his words are only like ‘sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.’ He recites the praises of God; while ‘his heart is far from Him.’ It is prayer alone, then, that gives the whole strength and efficacy to our different administrations: and that man ceases, if I may use the expression, to be a public Minister from the time he ceases to pray.”

We get the impression that Paul spent a good deal of time in prayer. It would be interesting to go to school with him on this subject some time. His many prayers can challenge, instruct, and encourage us all. It is presumptuous to take up any aspect of the work of ministry without prayer; it is foolish to engage any aspect of everyday life without it. G. Campbell Morgan wrote, “In the intersection of life and prayer will be found the secret of power, and the realization of fellowship with God will never be more than a theory save as prayer becomes a practice” (The Practice of Prayer). Let us encourage one another in this highest privilege and calling of the Christian life.

How would you like to see your prayer life improve? What would be the first step?

T. M. Moore

A Brief Course in Prayer
Our course The Parameters of Prayer is available in five free PDFs for your personal or group use. Simply send me an email, and I’ll send the course to you right away. Our books Fan into Flame and The Poetry of Prayer can also help you to examine and improve your time with the Lord in prayer.

Prayer for Revival
Men, join us this month to pray for revival. We meet every Tuesday morning at 10:00 am Eastern in our online prayer room, where we join over a psalm to seek the Lord for revival. If weekly doesn’t work for you, join us monthly. We meet the third Monday (9:00 pm), Tuesday (10:00 am), and Wednesday (9:00 pm), and we welcome men to join us for these times of praying for revival (all times Eastern). If you’re interested and want to join, send me an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and I’ll reserve a space for you. Order our book Restore Us! and learn why and how to begin praying daily for God to revive His people, renew His churches, and awaken the world.

Your prayers and gifts make this ministry possible. Please seek the Lord in prayer about sharing with us at The Fellowship of Ailbe. You can use the Contribute button at the website, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Help us build up the community of readers who are learning from great pastors of the past. Pass along this copy of Pastor to Pastor to a friend in ministry, and encourage him to sign-up at our website, www.ailbe.org, to receive it every day.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.