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If we think we will have joy only by praying and singing psalms, we will be disillusioned. But if we fill our lives with simple good things and constantly thank God for them, we will be joyful, that is, full of joy.

Richard J. Foster

Our problem is that we assume prayer is something to master the way we master algebra or auto mechanics. But when praying, we come “underneath,” where we calmly and deliberately surrender control and become incompetent.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Assuming Prayer Way
Simplicity enables us to live lives of integrity in the face of the terrible realities of our global village.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Integrity Life Live Reality
We over-eat, over-buy, and over-built, spewing out our toxic wastes upon the earth and into the air.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Air Earth Toxic Waste
Silence is one of the deepest Disciplines of the Spirit, simply because it puts the stopper on all self-justificat ion
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Discipline Ions Self
As worship begins in holy expectancy, it ends in holy obedience. Holy obedience saves worship from becoming an opiate, an escape from the pressing needs of modern life.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Life Modern Needs Opiates
Inward solitude has outward manifestations. There is the freedom to be alone, not in order to be away from people but in order to hear the divine Whisper better.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Order People Solitude
Freedom in the Gospel does not mean license. It means opportunity.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Doe Mean Opportunity
It is an occupational hazard of devout folk to become stuffy bores. This should not be. Of all people, we should be the most free, alive, interesting.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Hazards Interesting People
Spiritual direction is an interpersonal relationship in which we learn how to grow, live, and love in the spiritual life.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Grows Love Spiritual
Love, not anger, brought Jesus to the cross. Golgotha came as a result of God’s great desire to forgive, not his reluctance. Jesus knew that by his vicarious suffering he could actually absorb all the evil of humanity and so heal it, forgive it, redeem it.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Evil Humanity Jesus
The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Intelligent Numbers People
And so I urge you: carry on an ongoing conversation with God about the daily stuff of life, a little like Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. For now, do not worry about “proper” praying, just talk to God.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Ongoing Prayer Worry
Loneliness is inner emptiness. Solitude is inner fulfillment.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Emptiness Loneliness Solitude
Because we lack a divine Center our need for security has led us into an insane attachment to things.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Attachment Insane Needs
Prayer is simply saying “thank you, bless you, praise you.”
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Bless Praise Prayer
You see, we need instruction on how to possess money without being possessed by money. We need help to learn how to own things without treasuring them. We need the discipline that will allow us to live simply while managing great wealth and power.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Discipline Helping Needs

If we think we will have joy only by praying and singing psalms, we will be disillusioned. But if we fill our lives with simple good things and constantly thank God for them, we will be joyful, that is, full of joy.

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If we think we will have joy only by praying and singing psalms, we will be disillusioned. But if we fill our lives with simple good things and constantly thank God for them, we will be joyful, that is, full of joy.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

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