Richard Foster (theologian) Quotes

69 Sourced Quotes

Our problem is that we assume prayer is something to master the way we master algebra or auto mechanics. But when praying, we come "underneath," where we calmly and deliberately surrender control and become incompetent.

Richard Foster
We must understand the connection between inner solitude and inner silence; they are inseparable. All the masters of the interior life speak of the two in the same breath.

Richard Foster
If the Lord is to be Lord, worship must have priority in our lives. The divine priority is worship first, service second.

Richard Foster
Humility, as we all know, is one of those virtues that is never gained by seeking it. The more we pursue it the more distant it becomes. To think we have it is sure evidence that we don't.

Richard Foster
The Spiritual Disciplines are things that we do. We must never lose sight of this fact. It is one thing to talk piously about 'the solitude of the heart,' but if that does not somehow work its way into our experience, then we have missed the point of the Disciplines. We are dealing with actions, not merely states of mind.

Richard Foster
Loneliness is inner emptiness. Solitude is inner fulfillment.

Richard Foster
If we truly love people, we will desire for them far more than it is within our power to give them, and this leads us to prayer.

Richard Foster
The inner attitude of the heart is far more crucial than the mechanics for coming into the reality of the spiritual life.

Richard Foster
Let's discipline ourselves so that our words are few and full.

Richard Foster