Grant me O Lord my God a mind to know you a heart to seek you wisdom to find you conduct pleasing to you faithful perseverance in waiting for you and a hope of finally embracing you. Amen.

The primary purpose of prayer is not to make requests. The primary purpose is to praise to sing to chant. Because the essence of prayer is a song and man cannot live without a song. Prayer may not save us. But prayer may make us worthy of being saved.

Lady of the silver moonEnchantress of the nightProtect me and mine within this circle fairly cast.Earth Mother mother of the sleeping earthKeep safe all who gather hereWithin the protective shelter of your arms.By the earth that is Her bodyBy the air that is Her breathBy the fire that is Her bright spiritAnd by the living waters of Her wombOur circle is castNone shall come to harm hereFrom any forcesOn any level.As we willSo shall it be done.As we willSo mote it be.

For Ragamuffins Gods name is Mercy. We see our darkness as a prized possession because it drives us into the heart of God. Without mercy our darkness would plunge us into despair - for some self-destruction. Time alone with God reveals the unfathomable depths of the poverty of the spirit. We are so poor that even our poverty is not our own It belongs to the mysterium tremendum of a loving God.

If I am right Thy grace impartStill in the right to stayIf I am wrong O teach my heartTo find that better way

Anyone who is having troubles should pray. Anyone who is happy should sing praises. Anyone who is sick should call the churchs elders. They should pray for and pour oil on the person in the name of the Lord. And the prayer that is said with faith will make the sick person well the Lord will heal that person. And if the person has sinned the sins will be forgiven. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so God can heal you. When a believing person prays great things happen. James 513-16

Pray like it all depends on God but work like it all depends on you.

Love people who hate you. Pray for people who have wronged you. It wont just change their lifeitll change yours.

As we come to grips with our own selfishness and stupidity we make friends with the impostor and accept that we are impoverished and broken and realize that if we were not we would be God. The art of gentleness toward ourselves leads to being gentle with others -- and is a natural prerequisite for our presence to God in prayer.

When I lay these questions before God I get no answer. But a rather special sort of No answer. It is not the locked door. It is more like a silent certainly not uncompassionate gaze. As though He shook His head not in refusal but waiving the question. Like Peace child you dont understand.