The preacher is commissioned to pray as well as to preach. His mission is incomplete if he does not do both well. The preacher may speak with all the eloquence of men and of angels; but unless he can pray with a faith which draws all heaven to his aid, his preaching will be "as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal" for permanent God-honoring, soul-saving uses.  E.M. Bounds

E. M. Bounds was a Pastor  around the time of the American Civil War.  It is said that he prayed  daily for three hours before he would begin work on his writings.