out of (e.m.) bounds

I recently read this quote from E.M. Bounds:

"The preacher must pre-eminently be a man of prayer. His heart must graduate in the school of prayer. In the school of prayer only can the heart learn to preach. No learning can make up for the failure to pray. No earnestness, no diligence, no study, no gifts will supply its lack."

That's huge! I've been reading a lot about preaching lately. I want to be a better, more effective communicator. I feel that it's time for me to take my communicating to a new level...so I'm working at it. I've been taking steps toward it. And then I read that quote. I needed to be reminded of the importance of, the necessary marriage of preaching and prayer while preparing.