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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

Simplicity, then, is getting in touch with the divine center
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Divine Simplicity
Each activity of daily life in which we stretch ourselves on behalf of others is a prayer in action.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Action Daily Life 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.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Life Simple Things Thinking
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
reject anything that is producing an addiction in you.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Addiction Anything Rejects
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
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
Fasting reminds us that we are sustained by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4). Food does not sustain us; God sustains us.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Fasting Food Mouth Sustain
Prayer is simply saying “thank you, bless you, praise you.”
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Bless Praise Prayer
Prayer involves transformed passions. In prayer, real prayer, we begin to think God’s thoughts after Him: to desire the things He desires, to love the things He loves, to will the things He wills.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Passion Prayer Real
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
Loneliness is inner emptiness. Solitude is inner fulfillment.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Emptiness Loneliness Solitude
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
We must understand the connection between inner solitude and inner silence; they are inseparable. All the masters of the interior life speak of the two in the same breath.
RICHARD J. FOSTER

Silence Solitude Two
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

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.

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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.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

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