John Owen: Talk Less and Pray More

In essay called "The Work of the Holy Spirit in Prayer," John Owen encourages believers to use the gift freely given to us and enabled by God. The world and our flesh fight against us in exercising this gift, but this should not stop us: it is our pipeline to fruitful living.

It is our duty to make use of this gift [prayer] of the Spirit. Have you an ability to pray always freely given you by the Holy Ghost, why do you not pray always, in private, in families as occasions offer? Prayer is that singular duty, in which every grace is acted, every sin opposed, every blessing obtained; the whole of our obedience is concerned in it, and much of our present and future blessedness depends upon it. What difficulties and discouragements rise up against it, what aversion there is in corrupted nature to it, what distractions often attend it, is well known to the people of God. But to help us under our various infirmities; to give us freedom and confidence in coming to the throne; to enable us a children to cry, 'Abba, Father', the Holy Spirit is give to us. Who then can express the sin and folly of neglecting prayer? How does it grieve the Spirit, and injure our own souls! Can we go from day to day in the neglect of opportunities and occasions of prayer? How shall we answer this contempt of the Spirit's gracious aid? Do carnal persons habitually live without prayer? Alas! they not how to pray; but for those who have received this gift of the Spirit, enabling them to pray, and making it pleasant to the inner man--how great an aggravation is it to their sin! I press this duty of prayer the more, because the temptations and dangers of the present day particularly call for it. If we were to talk less and pray more, things would be better than they are in the world.

It is the duty of those who have received this gift, to cherish it, to stir it up and improve it; it is freely bestowed, but it is carefully to be preserved. It is a gospel-talent given to be traded with, and thereby increased. [brackets mine](pp. 360-361, The Holy Spirit: His Gifts and Power)