Prayer in preaching

The goal of preaching is utterly dependant on the mercy of God for its fulfilment

Therefore the preacher must labour to put his preaching under divine influence by prayer

By this means the Holy Spirit assists the preacher

But Edwards didn’t believe the assistance came in the form of words being immediately suggested to the mind

If that is all the Spirit did the preacher could be a devil and do his work

No, the Holy Spirit fills the heart with holy affections and the heart fills the mouth- “When a person is in a holy and lively frame in secret prayer , it will wonderfully supply him with matter and with expressions……in preaching” Jonathan Edwards