Draw From Secret Prayers

Francis wanted such men to be ministers of the word of God who give themselves to study of spiritual things and are not hindered by other duties. For these, he used to say, have been chosen by a certin great King to deliver to the people the edicts that proceed from his mouth. But he said: "The preacher must first draw from secret prayers what he will later pour out in holy sermons; he must first grow hot within before he speaks words that are in themselves cold."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
CHAPTER CXXIII - 164