Preachers are wise to hear these words of Bryan Chapell this weekend:
“Public ministry true to God’s purposes requires devoted private prayer [quoting David Helm]. We should not expect our words to acquaint others with the power of the Spirit if we have not met with him. Faithful preachers plead for God to work as well as for their own accuracy, integrity, and skill in proclaiming his Word. Success in the pulpit [though] can be the force that leads a preacher from prayerful dependence on the Spirit. Congregational accolades for pulpit excellence may tempt one to put too much confidence in personal gifts, acquired skills, or a particular method of preaching. Succumbing to such a temptation is evidenced not so much by a change in belief as by a change in practice. Neglect of prayer signals serious deficiencies in a ministry even if other signs of success have not diminished. We must always remember that popular acclaim is not necessarily the same as spiritual effectiveness.”
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Bryan Chapell, Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon (pp. 25-26). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.