Preface.

...[suited for] such people best of all. Nevertheless, their prayer is likewise an offering of a sweet aroma Original: Opffer eines süssen Geruchs. This is a biblical idiom (seen in Ephesians 5:2) referring to a sacrifice that is pleasing to God. to our God. And even if it were nothing more than just such small sighs Original: Seuffzer. In 17th-century devotional writing, "sighs" were brief, spontaneous prayers—sometimes just a few words—intended to keep the soul connected to God during daily chores.: God be gracious and merciful to me, a poor sinner! Lord help! Lord, let all things prosper! These are echoes of the "Jesus Prayer" and Psalm 118:25. and the like. Indeed, a short prayer spoken entirely with devotion is much better than a long one said halfway without devotion.

And to say rightly what I am thinking: I believe the latter of these two kinds of people Meaning those who pray briefly and simply. are the most common in the world. But I consider the former Meaning those capable of long, sustained prayer like "precious balsam." to be something quite rare, and I always count it as much as a miracle Original: Wunder-Werck. whenever one finds such a person. I well hear it said: Isaiah, Daniel, and Christ himself often prayed very extensively. I also know many people who like to write long prayers; and I see even more of those who read them. I cannot look into anyone's heart to see how they pray. (a) 1 Corinthians 12:4. (b) Luke 1:34. The author likely intended Luke 1:37, "For with God nothing is impossible," as the text continues with "with God no thing [is impossible]." And there are various gifts. Indeed, with GOD no thing