Knowledge – Understanding

Teaching of the Holy Spirit – JC Ryle

We must pray daily for the teaching of the Holy Ghost, if we would make progress in the knowledge of divine things. Without Him, the mightiest intellect and the strongest reasoning powers will carry us but a little way.

– JC Ryle –
from Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, 1856

Don’t Let Your Mind Wander Too Far – Brother Lawrence

One way to recollect the mind easily in the time of prayer, and preserve it more in tranquility, is not to let it wander too far at other times. You should keep it strictly in the presence of God; and being accustomed to think of Him often, you will find it easy to keep your mind calm in the time of prayer, or at least to recall it from its wanderings.

– Brother Lawrence –
from The Practice of the Presence of God

The Grace of Christ – Matthew Henry

A man whose right hand was withered came to learn from Christ (see Luke 6:6). Whether he had any expectation to be healed by him does not appear. But those that would be cured by the grace of Christ must be willing to learn the doctrine of Christ.

– Matthew Henry –

Praying Against Idols – Andrew Bonar

Tried this morning especially to pray against idols in the shape of my books and studies. These encroach upon my direct communion with God, and need to be watched.

– Andrew Bonar –
from Andrew Bonar: Diary & Life (Saturday, September 7, 1850)