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..the true test of spirituality [is] in the freedom to live among people compassionately….Prayer frees us to be controlled by God.

Richard J. Foster

The person who does not seek the kingdom first does not seek it at all, regardless of how worthy the idolatry that he or she has substituted for it.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Doe Firsts Kingdoms
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
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
Prayer is simply saying “thank you, bless you, praise you.”
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Bless Praise Prayer
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
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
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
Worship begins in holy expectancy, it ends in holy obedience.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Holy Obedience Worship
In intellectual honesty, we should be willing to study and explore the spiritual life with all the rigor and determination we would give to any field of research.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Determination Honesty Spiritual
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

Life Simple Things Thinking
In the context of Quaker worship, it is perfectly appropriate for any person in the congregation to speak a timely word from the Lord.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Lord Speak Worship
Real prayer comes not from gritting our teeth but from falling in love.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Falling Love Prayer Real
You will never have time for prayer; you must make time.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Making Prayer Time
The inner attitude of the heart is far more crucial than the mechanics for coming into the reality of the spiritual life.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Attitude Christian Spiritual
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
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

..the true test of spirituality [is] in the freedom to live among people compassionately….Prayer frees us to be controlled by God.

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..the true test of spirituality [is] in the freedom to live among people compassionately….Prayer frees us to be controlled by God.

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