The music the prayers the bowing and rising the incense--all of it was breaking down my defenses. Thats what good liturgy does. It breaks your heart open and turns you toward God.

...if He made us He must know He is to blame when He has made us weak or evil. And He must understand why we have been so made and when we throw ourselves into the dust before Him and pray for help and pardon surely--surely He will lend an ear

When all hope is gone and your back is against the wall Pray. Ask God to guide you and he will take good care of you.

I am a child of the everlasting King.I am forgiven.I am a warrior.I am cloaked in righteous armor.I was made for adventure.I was built for battle.I am part of a larger story.My true and lasting affirmation comes only from my King.I am unique above all creation--planned and perfect in design.I have been created for a glorious destiny.All my ways are established by you my King and I walk in them.My life and actions are real authentic and without compromise.I am quickened and made alive through the power of your Spirit.My whole life is before me.I am a shining gift from God to this lost world.I know my name I understand my calling and I am worthy to walk in it.I am strong brave and courageous in the face of my enemies.Whatever is good whatever is pure whatever is true dwell on these things.My sins are scattered as far as the east is from the west.I am a good husband to my wife.I am a good father to my daughters.The past is over and the future glimmers with radiant light.I will look to the new day the dawning of hope.I will step forward with the truth before me and will no longer look on the day that is gone.The past is over the future has begun.

At these words I was utterly stupefied and terror-stricken. I thought to myself With what tongue shall I address such majesty seeing that all men ought to tremble in the presence of even an earthly prince Who am I that I should lift up mine eyes or raise my hands to the divine Majesty The angels surround him. At his nod the earth trembles. And shall I a miserable little pygmy say I want this I ask for that For I am dust and ashes and full of sin and I am speaking to the living eternal and the true God.

One of the greatest gifts to give our friends and others is a prayer.

He regards it as the highest insult for the wicked to boast of His covenant while profaning His sacred Name by their whole lives.

My prayer time alone with the Lord Jesus is more important than any other thing I do each day. There in the secret place the devils plans are shattered and Gods victories are won evil is thwarted and blessings are unleashed sicknesses are overcome and sin is denied its sway over the lives of the weak. Our God is an answering God.

Is not prayer the intensely personal struggle within each disciple and among us collectively to resist the despair and distractions that cause us to practice unbelief to abandon or avoid the way of Jesus

Give us an intense distaste for things that displease You and a renewed pleasure in things that bring You honor and magnify Your truth.