“Be ruining sin in prayer, or sin will be ruining prayer” by John Owen

“Know, therefore, that there is no more effectual preservative of the soul from the power of sin than a gracious readiness for and disposition unto this duty of prayer in private and public, according to its proper seasons.

This is an observation confirmed by long experience: If prayer does not constantly endeavour the ruin of sin, sin will ruin prayer, and utterly alienate the soul from it.

This is the way of backsliders in heart; as they grow in sin they decay in prayer, until they are weary of it and utterly relinquish it.”

–John Owen, The Works of John Owen, Volume 7: Sin and Grace (ed. William H. Goold; Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1850-53/1997), 7: 531.