Page 86 - The Importance of Prayer Student Textbook

Appendix C: Epigrams

I will never forget sitting in a Bible class as a young seminary student and the teacher began to lecture
on the importance of using epigrams in our preaching and teaching. The word epigram was new to my
vocabulary, so I listened with great attention. He defined this word as a pithy saying or remark
expressing an idea in a clever and amusing way. Another definition was, an epigram is a short but
insightful statement, often in verse form, which communicates a thought in a witty, paradoxical, or
funny way. Over the years I have tried to compile epigrams to honor the Lord in my teaching and
preaching. I pray that you also will begin to collect and use epigrams over and over in your teaching.
Remember that some epigrams God will use more than others. Therefore, be willing to use the ones
God uses in your teaching over and over. Why? Because repetition is the key to learning. Oh, was that
just an epigram I used? Yes! Here is a small collection of some and I have used and look for the use of
epigrams throughout this syllabus. Yes, please use them. Now it is your turn to begin to compile your list
of epigrams that the Lord uses in your preaching. Remember to use them over and over because
repetition is the key to learning. Or, what gets repeated gets done.

What a man is on his knees before God that he is – and no more.
Prayer is much more than words. It is an expression of the heart towards God. It is an experience, a
relationship, not an activity.
You pray for God to change things, but in the process, you are the one changed.
Someone wisely said, “Satan laughs at our toiling, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when he sees the
weakest saint on their knees”.
If Jesus was so dependent upon His fellowship alone with the Father, how much more should you and I
spend time alone with God.
The divine order is first talk to God about people and then talk to people about God.
What impresses God: eloquent praying or humble praying?
Dare to believe God for the impossible for He longs to hear sun, stand still prayers.
If we have the audacity to ask, God can perform.
Prayer is the arena where our faith meets God’s abilities.
To know how to speak to God is more important than knowing how to speak to man.
Prayer is my Declaration of Dependence.
All our failures are prayer failures.
A failure in our prayer life is generally a failure to know Jesus.
When we work, we work; but when we pray, God works.
It is not so true that prayer changes things as that prayer changes me, and then I change things.
Prayer is the pulmonary part of the church; without it the church will die.

85