A vital connection with the Chief Shepherd will make the undershepherd a living representative of Christ, a light indeed to the world. An understanding of all points of our faith is indeed essential, but it is of greater importance that the minister be sanctified through the truth which he presents for the purpose of enlightening the consciences of his hearers. In a series of meetings not one discourse should be given consisting of theory alone, nor should one long, tedious prayer be made. Such prayers God does not hear. I have listened to many prosy, sermonizing prayers that were uncalled for and out of place. A prayer with one half the number of words, offered in fervor and faith, would have softened the hearts of the hearers; but, instead of this, I have seen them wait impatiently, as though wishing that every word would end the prayer. Had the minister wrestled with God in his chamber until he felt that his faith could grasp the eternal promise, “Ask, and ye shall receive,” he would have come to the point at once, asking with earnestness and faith for what he needed. {4T 315.1}

En vital forbindelse med overhyrden vil gøre underhyrden til en levende Kristi repræsentant, faktisk et lys for verden. En forståelse af alle vore trospunkter er faktisk nødvendig, men det er af større betydning at prædikanten ofres ved den sandhed som han overbringer, med det formål at oplyse sine tilhørers samvittighed. Ved en mødeserie, ikke ved en prædiken, burde teoriens bestanddele gives alene, der bør heller ikke gøres en lang kedsommelig bøn. Sådanne bønner hører Gud ikke. Jeg har lyttet til mange langtrukne, prædikenagtige bønner, der var ukaldede og ikke hørte til der. En bøn med halvt så mange ord, sendt op i inderlighed og tro, ville have blødgjort tilhørernes hjerter; men i stedet for dette, har jeg set dem vente utålmodigt, men forventning om at hvert ord ville afslutte bønnen. Havde prædikanten kæmpet med Gud i sit kammer, indtil han mærkede at hans tro kunne gribe det evige løfte, »bed, så skal I få,« ville han være kommet til pointet med det samme og bede med alvor og tro, for hvad han manglede.