Preface.

...thing is impossible. Continuing from the previous page's citation of Luke 1:37: "For with God nothing is impossible." However, I am speaking now of no prophets upon whom the Spirit of the Lord rested so powerfully that they far surpassed other men in many things. Much less am I speaking of Christ; rather, only of ordinary Christians Original: gemeinen Christen. In this context, "ordinary" refers to the general layperson or believer as opposed to the exceptional figures of the Bible.. And if every one of these would examine themselves, there would perhaps be very few who could speak with the foundation of truth: that the true zeal of their devotion Original: Andacht. This word describes the internal state of being focused on and surrendered to God during prayer. lasts as long as their sometimes long-winded words, or the long prayer which they recite with their mouth.

Since this devotion—which, alas, becomes weary all too soon—is the first reason why long, rambling, and especially speeches that are nowhere divided or structured Original: ab- und eingetheilte Reden. Neumann is critiquing long, unstructured prayers that lack clear points or "breathing room," making it harder for the person praying to stay focused. are not well-suited to our prayer; so I can also say for the second reason that such long-windedness is unnecessary when I speak with God. For our Savior made this clear enough when his disciples addressed him, [asking] that he should