In this little booklet, John Newton addresses the subject of public prayer. He warns of the dangers of excessive length, preaching in prayer, formal praying, unwarranted repetition, and extremes in voice and manner. He says, "I shall be glad if these hints may be of any service to those who desire to worship God in spirit and in truth, and who wish that whatever has a tendency to dampen the spirit of devotion, either in themselves or in others, might be avoided" (from the Conclusion).