Doctrines of Prayer, Faith, and Peace by James Hastings: Hastings, James - Doctrine of Prayer: 0.3. Preface

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Doctrines of Prayer, Faith, and Peace by James Hastings: Hastings, James - Doctrine of Prayer: 0.3. Preface



TOPIC: Hastings, James - Doctrine of Prayer (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: 0.3. Preface

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PREFACE

This is the first of a short series of books on the Great Christian Doctrines. There is, I believe, a widespread and earnest desire on the part of teachers of the Bible to do more than has lately been done for the teaching of Christian doctrine. The complaint that doctrine is dry is due to the way it is taught, even more than to the “spirit of the age”. Anything is dry that is disorderly or unreal. In this volume the Doctrine of Prayer is presented in an orderly sequence, and contact with reality is maintained at every step by means of illustration or example.

Prayer was chosen as the subject of the first volume of the series before the War began; and it did not seem necessary even then to apologize for the choice. The difficulties of the doctrine are not few or trifling; but every doctrine has its difficulties, and we have come to some conclusions about Prayer which give us courage. Even before the War there were many signs of a new interest in it and new hope from its exercise. How these signs have multiplied is known to every one. This one thing at least that is good the War has done for us already. Let us not miss our opportunity. Prayer is not an easy exercise. It requires encouragement, exposition, and training. There never was a time when men and women were more sincerely anxious to be told how to pray. Prayer is the mightiest weapon in our armoury, and if we are to use it as God has given us the encouragement, we must do everything in our power to bring it into exercise.

A list of books which have been read, and from some of which quotations have been made, is given before each chapter.

JAMES HASTINGS.