John Bunyan (1628-1688): Sincerity in Prayer

John Bunyan was born November 28, 1628.

About sincerity in prayer, he wrote: “And why must sincerity be one of the essentials of prayer which is accepted of God, but because sincerity carries the soul in all simplicity to open its heart to God, and to tell Him the case plainly, without equivocation; to condemn itself plainly, without dissembling; to cry to God heartily, without complimenting. . . . Sincerity is the same in a corner alone, as it is before the face of all the world. It knows not how to wear two masks, one for an appearance before men, and another for a short snatch in a corner; but it must have God, and be with Him in the duty of prayer.”