It’s a notable Scripture (Heb. 13:7) to show that the ministers of the Word should be eminent in their conversations every way, and that all those to whom they speak the Word of God should see in their conversations the beauty and excellency of the Word of God they speak to them, for people look at the lives of ministers as well as listen to their words. It is not good enough only to be a good man in the pulpit unless it is in the constant way of their conversations. – Jeremiah Burroughs

We are often for preaching to awaken others; but we should be more concerned with prayer. Prayer is more powerful than preaching. It is prayer that gives preaching all its power. . . . Prayer must be added to preaching, else preaching is in vain. . . . O believing brethren, what an instrument is this which God hath put into your hands! Prayer moves him that moves the universe. – Robert Murray M’Cheyne

People come to me for one thing . . . I preach to them a Calvinist creed and a Puritan morality. That is what they want and that is what they get. If they want anything else they must go elsewhere. – Spurgeon

At Gethsemane we come to the Holy of Holies of our Lord’s life on earth. No man can rightly expound such a passage as this; it is a subject for prayerful, heart-broken meditation, more than for human language. – Spurgeon

No man can do me a truer kindness in this world than to pray for me. – Spurgeon

“The more thoroughly your mind is steeped in the Spirit of prayer, and of communion with God, when ascend the sacred desk, the more easy and delightful will it be to preach; the more rich and spiritual will your preaching be; the more fervent and natural your eloquence; and the greater the probability that what you say will be made a blessing.” – Samuel Miller

Watch continually over your own spirit, and do all in love; we must grow downwards in humility to soar heavenward. I should recommend your having a watchful eye over yourself, for generally speaking as is the minister so are the people. – John Thornton

Evangelion (what we call “the gospel”) is a Greek word, signifying good, merry, glad, and joyful news, that makes a man’s heart glad and makes him sing, dance and leap for joy! – William Tyndale

How can a pastor preach intelligently and appropriately to his people, without knowing their state? . . . O! that ministers could be persuaded to realize that the best part of their preparation for the pulpit, that which is best adapted to impart the richest instructiveness, and the most touching unction to all its teaching, is, not to seclude themselves perpetually in their studies – not to be forever trimming the midnight lamp; but to got forth and put themselves often in contact with the cavils and objections of the enemies of the gospel, as well as with the anxieties, the conflicts, the consolations, the joys, and the triumphs of Christian believers. – Samuel Miller

This is our goal in life, that we might be God-centered in our thoughts and God-fearing in our hearts, as J.I. Packer put it. We are to be God-honoring in all that we do. And how is that going to happen if we never consider, or consider only fleetingly, or irregularly, the end toward which we travel, and the one who also walks with us through life on the way to this end? – David Wells