“In order to speak as the Bible speaks, we must get more comfortable with biblical paradox and less comfortable with the tidiness of our own systems” (Douglas Wilson, Against the Church, 49).

“Converting unconverted covenant members is something that God specializes in, and we need to be careful not to resist His work by claiming it is somehow unnecessary” (Douglas Wilson, Against the Church, 48).

“The church is nothing without individual conversions, but the church is not nothing but individual conversions. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts” (Douglas Wilson, Against the Church, 47).

“The new life has political results but is not achieved by political means, which, incidentally, includes ecclesiastical politics. The experience of the new life will always, of necessity, be at the very center of God’s work in the work, because that is what He is doing here” (Douglas Wilson, Against the Church, 43).

“The most hopeful things in humanity to-day are its restlessness, its intensity, its disgust. These are open doors for the Christian preacher. Corinthian habits, Corinthian words, and all the restlessness of the city, it matters not how it is manifested, create the open door for the evangel of Jesus Christ. What is the Gospel for the corrupt city? The Cross and Resurrection, and none other” (G. Campbell Morgan, The Acts of the Apostles, 434).

“Private prayer, lastly, is also the path to a proven shelter, a haven of rest, a mighty fortress, a rock of defense for present adversities and an unknown future. Prayer is a refuge from the storms of life. This is why Satan fears and hates private prayer and will fight with every possible device and argument to keep you from prayer” (James W. Beeke and Joel R. Beeke, Developing a Healthy Prayer Life, 12).

“Jesus underscores our need to be alone with God [see Matthew 6:6]…. as friends love to share treasured secrets, so the Lord loves to share secrets of His truth, His Triune Person, His kingdom, and His love with believers. Through His Spirit He uncovers scriptural truth more deeply in the soul by means of private prayer. It is between the closest friends that the most is shared: ‘The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant’ (Ps. 25:14)” (James W. Beeke and Joel R. Beeke, Developing a Healthy Prayer Life, 11).

“Prayer requires faith: believing in God, trusting in God, and placing our expectations in God…. Do you exercise faith in Christ when you pray (John 14:1)? Do you trust in His person and mediatorial work, looking for Him to meet all your needs as your Prophet, Priest, and King? Do you rest in His natures, states, and benefits as inseparable from your salvation? Are you concerned for the cause of Christ’s kingdom, the promotion of His Name and His truth, that these may shape your own desires and purposes, and consume your time and energy? God’s will becomes primary and your will becomes secondary when true faith is active in your life. A living faith will generate heartfelt desires to be conformed to His will” (James W. Beeke and Joel R. Beeke, Developing a Healthy Prayer Life, 7-8).

“[One problem] in Christians’ prayer lives is when we spend more time preparing to come to Christ than in actually coming to Him” (James W. Beeke and Joel R. Beeke, Developing a Healthy Prayer Life, 6).

“Jesus taught us, ‘Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name’ (John 16:24). To pray in Christ’s name is to take refuge in Him as God’s beloved Son — the One whom the Father delights to hear and to honor. Praying in Jesus’ name includes confessing who is truly God and Master in my life” (James W. Beeke and Joel R. Beeke, Developing a Healthy Prayer Life, 5).