Nine times out of ten, declension from God begins in the neglect of private prayer.
This quote suggests that most instances of spiritual decline or distancing from God originate from the neglect of personal prayer. The term “declension” refers to a gradual deterioration, indicating a slow and steady moving away from God rather than an abrupt break. Private prayer is seen as an intimate communication with God, a time for reflection, confession, thanksgiving and seeking guidance. Therefore, when someone starts neglecting this private prayer time, they may start losing their connection with God.
In terms of personal development or in today’s world context, this quote can be interpreted in various ways. For some people who follow religious practices that involve prayer or meditation as a daily ritual, not adhering to these rituals could mean losing touch with their spiritual self which can lead to feeling disconnected or lost.
From another perspective – even for those who aren’t religious – the act of private prayer can be likened to spending quiet moments alone in introspection and self-reflection. In our modern lives filled with constant distractions and demands on our time and attention, it’s easy to overlook the need for such solitary moments where we take stock of our thoughts and feelings without external influences.
When we neglect these moments – whether it’s through skipping traditional prayers or not taking out time for self-reflection – we may find ourselves drifting away from our moral compasses (or ‘God’ as referred in the quote), leading us down paths that don’t align with our true selves.
Therefore, maintaining regular ‘prayer’ (or introspective) sessions could be crucial in staying aligned with one’s values and principles; hence preventing any potential ‘declension’. This is applicable both for individuals aiming at personal growth as well as societies striving towards collective progress.
