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24 Inspirational John Bunyan Quotes to Encourage your Faith

A collection of thought provoking and inspiring John Bunyan quotes.

John Bunyan Quotes

John Bunyan was a preacher and author during the 1600s. He is famously known for his Christian allegory, The Pilgrim’s Progress.

But he was known for more than just his famous book. He was a powerful preacher of the Gospel and because of that, he was sent to prison for many years.

I thought he would make a wonderful addition to my quote pages. (You can find a some below). He has some amazing quotes on prayer and walking out your faith!

A Short Bio on John Bunyan

Just in case you are not familiar with John Bunyan. Here is a very short biography. If you would like to learn more about his life. Check out Christianity.com’s post.

John Bunyan was born in 1628 in England. And at the age of 16, he joined the army during the Civil War. He then returned home and was married at the age of 20. It was his father-in-law who gave him 2 Christian books. From there he started to question his lifestyle and hear the Lord calling him to repentance. After reading Luther’s commentary on Galatians. Things clicked for him and he wanted to tell people about what Christ had done for him

The problem is that open-air preaching was illegal during that time. That wasn’t going to stop John! He ended up in prison, but was offered freedom three months later on the condition that he would stop preaching. Yeah, well John Bunyan is a boss and he flat out said “NO.” Because of that he ended up being in prison for 12 years.

It was during those 12 years in prison that John wrote 60 books! This includes some of his famous books, Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners and The Pilgrim’s Progress.

Once he was free, he was able to preach and at the age of 60 he went to be with the Lord.

So, there you have it! Now let’s read some awesome John Bunyan quotes!

Quotes by John Bunyan

Bunyan quote - He who runs from Gos in the morning will scarcely find him the rest of the day.

You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you. ― John Bunyan

Pray and read, read and pray; for a little from God is better than a great deal from men. ―John Bunyan

I saw, moreover, that it was not my good frame of heart that made my righteousness better, nor my bad frame that made my righteousness worse; for my righteousness was Jesus Christ himself, the same yesterday and today and forever. ―John Bunyan

Whatever contradicts the Word of God should be instantly resisted as diabolical. ― John Bunyan

It is profitable for Christians to be often calling to mind the very beginnings of grace with their souls. ― John Bunyan

In prayer, it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart. ― John Bunyan

Quotes by John Bunyan - "In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart"

The reason why the Christians in this day are at such a loss as to some things is that they are contented with what comes from man’s mouth, without searching and kneeling before God to know of Him the truth of things. ― John Bunyan

If my life is fruitless, it doesn’t matter who praises me, and if my life is fruitful, it doesn’t matter who criticizes me. ― John Bunyan

What God says is best, is best, though all the men in the world are against it. ― John Bunyan

He that is down needs fear no fall. He that is low, no pride; He that is humble, ever shall have God to be his Guide. ― John Bunyan

Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer. ― John Bunyan

To lay hold of and receive the gospel by a true and saving faith is an act of the soul that has been made a new creature, which is the workmanship of God… Wherefore whoever receiveth the grace that is tendered in the gospel, they must be quickened by the power of God, their eyes must be opened, their understandings illuminated, their ears unstopped, their hearts circumcised, their wills also rectified, and the Son of God revealed in them. ― John Bunyan

He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day. ― John Bunyan

John Bunyan Prayer Quotes - "Pray and read, read and pray; for a little from God is better than a great deal from men"

Old truths are always new to us, if they come with the smell of heaven upon them. ― John Bunyan

No child of God sins to that degree as to make himself incapable of forgiveness. ― John Bunyan

One leak will sink a ship, and one sin will destroy a sinner. ― John Bunyan

A tender heart is a wakeful, watchful heart. It watches against sin in the soul, sin in the family, sin in the calling, sin in spiritual duties and performances. ― John Bunyan

When you pray, rather let your heart be without words then your words without heart. ― John Bunyan

You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed. Pray often, for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge to Satan. ― John Bunyan

It is possible to learn all about the mysteries of the Bible and never be affected by it in one’s soul. Great knowledge is not enough. ― John Bunyan

Conversion is not the smooth, easy-going process some men seem to think… It is wounding work, this breaking of the hearts, but without wounding there is no saving… Where there is grafting there will always be a cutting, the graft must be let in with a wound; to stick it onto the outside or to tie it on with a string would be of no use. Heart must be set to heart and back to back or there will be no sap from root to branch. And this, I say, must be done by a wound, by a cut. ― John Bunyan

An idle man’s brain is the devil’s workshop.― John Bunyan

Best John Bunyan Quotes, "Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer."

Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Spirit, for such things as God has promised. ― John Bunyan

Run when I can, walk when I cannot run, and creep when I cannot walk. ― John Bunyan


I hope you have enjoyed these quotes by John Bunyan! May they stir your faith and draw you closer to Jesus!

Feel free to leave me a comment! I would love to hear from you and hear all that God is doing in your life!

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Sonja von Bennecke

Wednesday 27th of January 2021

Thank you for the blessings to bless others with in return. - Sonja von Bennecke, South Africa