Religion Prayer

What is the nature, calling, and work of local church leadership? Pastor and seminary professor David Mathis considers the elder qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 not only as prerequisites but as daily necessities to carry out joyfully. This accessible guide aims to serve current and aspiring pastors and elders, as well as church members who want to know the expectations for their leaders and how to pray for them.

The practicality of St. Teresa's teaching about mental prayer shines through in this wonderful synopsis of her writings about it—something she said "the whole world could not purchase." Learn how we should pray, in order to grow in the spiritual life.

Ever since she was a little girl, Roma has seen butterflies as a reminder of God's presence. They have appeared to her in moments when she needed encouragement and reminded her she is not alone. In this deeply personal book, Roma shares stories from her life, alongside quotes, poems, and Scripture that she prays will uplift you as they have her. Each grace-filled chapter of this beautiful book covers topics such as courage, loss, gratitude, love, and kindness.

Illuminata brings prayer into our daily lives, with prayers on topics from releasing anger to finding forgiveness, from finding great love to achieving intimacy. There are prayers for couples, for parents, and for children; prayers to mend broken relationships and prayers to overcome obsessive and compulsive love. There are prayers to heal the soul, prayers to heal the body, and prayers for work and creativity.

We often think the process of hearing God’s voice is more complex than it really is. We may be straining to hear God speak in one specific way, when in fact, He is communicating in creative and unique ways which we must learn to discern. As you discover the different ways God speaks, you can position yourself to hear His voice with fresh, supernatural clarity!

Each mystery has a five-part introduction after which the traditional prayers are prayed. Since the mysteries are a little longer than versions that only announce the name of the mystery, you may choose to only do two or three at a time. But you will know how best to pray with them. We are very excited to have this resource available to pray with at home, work, on retreats, or anywhere you pray. St. Ignatius, pray for us. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for me!

Here are 32 true stories of signs from above, the healing power of prayer, and love from beyond. These amazing stories prove that God is alive and very active in the world today, working miracles on our behalf. Regular people share their personal stories of God's Divine intervention and healing power as He makes the impossible possible!

Over the course of 14 novels, millions have fallen in love with the faith, encouragement, and wisdom that are at the very heart of Jan Karon's Mitford series. Now, for the first time, listeners will have the chance to walk with Father Tim through a collection of prayers, sermons, and inspirational passages that incorporates material from each of the novels. In addition, fans will get to hear directly from author Jan Karon, in a brand-new essay about her own personal journey in faith and the ways that the Mitford novels have impacted her.

You are the one who shapes your future! No matter how you’ve lived up until now, your past cannot derail your future because God’s potential lives in you! In Shaping Your Future, author and teacher Barry Bennett explains that God has entrusted each of us with the ability to grow our own future, but the future comes in the form of seeds. Every thought, word, action, attitude, and resource can be the seed of blessing or destruction. These seeds define our lives.

Prayer is your ongoing conversation with something larger than yourself. And similar to a mindfulness practice, a daily prayer practice has the power to change your life. Regardless of whether or not you practice organized religion, this gift is available to you as a way to unlock greater awareness and inner strength. With her signature joy and heartfelt wisdom, Agapi Stassinopoulos presents a non-denominational guide to harnessing this power of prayer in your life and using it to find connection, peace, and gratitude.

Someone came between Lee and Leslie Strobel, threatening to shipwreck their marriage. No, it wasn't an old flame. It was Jesus Christ. Leslie's decision to become a follower of Jesus brought heated opposition from her skeptical husband. They began to experience conflict over a variety of issues, from finances to child-rearing. But over time, Leslie learned how to survive a spiritual mismatch. Today, they're both Christians - and they want you to know that there is hope if you're a Christian married to a nonbeliever.

All fruitful doing must begin with being. For many Christians, it's easy to be swept up into the fast pace of modern life, desiring to do much for God. But we struggle to slow down and be with God. According to pastor, Enneagram teacher, and author AJ Sherrill, being with God is what empowers doing for God. Sherrill shares his own journey from "busy" Christianity to the ancient paths of contemplative practices. He equips listeners to integrate rhythms of stillness, silence, and solitude, offering step-by-step guidance and examples of finding solitude both personally and on retreats.

"Mercy is radical kindness", Anne Lamott writes in her enthralling and heartening book, Hallelujah Anyway. It's the permission you give others - and yourself - to forgive a debt, to absolve the unabsolvable, to let go of the judgment and pain that make life so difficult. In Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy Lamott ventures to explore where to find meaning in life. We should begin, she suggests, by "facing a great big mess, especially the great big mess of ourselves". It's up to each of us to recognize the presence and importance of mercy everywhere.

In Why I Am Still Surprised by the Power of the Spirit, Deere demonstrates that the Scriptures teach that God is healing and speaking today just as he did 2000 years ago. He tells documented stories of modern miracles. He explains the nature of spiritual gifts, defines each spiritual gift, offers sound advice on discovering and using the gifts in church today. He shows how all of this part of God's way of deepening our friendship with him.

During her own 85-pound weight loss journey, Kimberly Taylor discovered that she needed God's strength to stay committed when her weight loss motivation started to fade. In The Weight Loss Prayers: 30-Day Prayers for Weight Loss Motivation, Kim shares her secret success weapon - the prayers she wrote to enlist God's help during the process, from dealing with temptation to handling stress. You can use these same power prayers, inspirational scriptures, and practical devotions with your weight loss program, or on their own.

Father Thomas Dubay is one of the most popular and respected retreat masters and spiritual directors in the US. As in his other popular writings, Dubay’s style is profound and meditative, yet clear and readable. He gives an overview of the spiritual life and journey for anyone seeking to grow in the love of God and neighbor. An expert on the teachings and writings of the two great mystical doctors of prayer and the spiritual life, Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross, Dubay gives solid, practical advice for a deepening moral and spiritual conversion, and a radical growth in holiness.

Teenager Lucas Leonard made shocking admissions in front of the altar - he'd practiced witchcraft, conspired to murder his parents, and committed unspeakable crimes. The confessions earned him a brutal beating by a gang of angry church members, including his parents and sister. Lucas was brought to the hospital dead, awakening the sleepy community of Chadwicks, New York, to the horror that had been lurking next door. Nine members of Lucas' church would eventually find themselves facing murder-related charges. But how did they get to that point? And what made Lucas confess?

None of us signed up for a conventional experience with the unconventional God, yet too often the spiritual life can become routine, dare we say, even boring. In Adore, Sara Hagerty gives us all permission to admit "I barely know You, God," and with this honest admission, to scoot a little nearer to this familiar stranger. Adoration is the simple practice Sara discovered for starting where you are, and letting the grit of your day greet the beauty of God's presence.

In today's world, fear has become epidemic. It takes away our sense of well-being; stresses our mind, body, and soul; and can keep us from doing what we need to do. The good news is that you can enjoy freedom from damaging fear by establishing your heart and mind on the comforting truths of God and learning how to pray in power. Stormie Omartian shows you what to think, say, and pray the moment you sense fear in your heart, and what you can do to combat anxiety.

Are you or a loved one discouraged by sickness in your life? Does it seem like even your most fervent prayers go unheard? But what if it didn't have to be this way? Prophetic healing evangelist Becky Dvorak has spent years ministering around the world to those caught in the trenches of physical illness. And time and again she has witnessed the power of God heal some of the most hopeless conditions.