6 Inspiring Jimmy Carter Quotes on Love, Prayer, and Faith
- Milton Quintanilla Crosswalk Headlines Contributor
- Updated Dec 31, 2024
Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, passed away at his home in Plains, Georgia, on Sunday at the age of 100.
In remembering President Carter, the following are some of his top quotes, including some highlighting his Christian faith.
1. "I have one life and one chance to make it count for something… My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have, to try to make a difference."
Carter, a longtime Southern Baptist, stresses the importance of faith in action, particularly in making a difference.
In his 2018 New York Times bestseller, titled Faith: A Journey For All," Carter highlights the significance of agape love, which is typically known when it comes to God's love for humanity.
2. "A person should have as our goal complete agape (self-sacrificial love). The most we can expect from a society is to institute simple justice."
In the same book, Carter observes the character of God and what He provides rather than what we portray Him to be.
3. "God is not my personal valet. God does not build a protective fence around my life, keep me from trouble, fulfill my personal desires, or guarantee my success. However, through prayer, God offers me comfort, reassurance, satisfaction, courage, hope, and peace."
Regarding prayer, the former president notes that God responds to our prayers in different ways according to His Sovereign will.
4. "God always answers prayers. Sometimes it's 'yes.' Sometimes the answer is 'no.' Sometimes it's 'you gotta be kidding.'"
As Christians, we recognize that the Lord Jesus Christ will return soon. Carter urged that we are to live our lives in light of Christ's imminent return, which can take place at any time.
5. "We should live our lives as though Christ were coming this afternoon."
During a November 1976 interview with Playboy, Carter speaks on adultery, even acknowledging his own shortcomings in accordance with Christ's Words on committing adultery in the heart.
6. "Christ said, "I tell you that anyone who looks on a woman with lust has in his heart already committed adultery." I've looked on a lot of women with lust. I've committed adultery in my heart many times. This is something that God recognizes I will do — and I have done it — and God forgives me for it. But that doesn't mean that I condemn someone who not only looks on a woman with lust but who leaves his wife and shacks up with somebody out of wedlock."
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Drew Angerer/Staff
