The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.
quote by Soren Kierkegaard
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Related quotes
Somebody Prays
Somebody is happy
Somebody is fun
Somebody enjoys life
Then the devil puts them on the run.
Somebody has a problem
Somebody gets involved
Somebody reaches grace
Somebody prays a prayer
And the problem is dissolved.
Thanks to somebody who prays
That maybe doesn't even know me.
But prays a prayer daily
For all whom they do not see.
Thanks for your encouragement
Thank you
For some days life gets odd.
Thanks for caring about me
Thanks for knowing God.
poem by Cecelia Weir
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Every true prayer is a prayer of the Church; by means of that prayer the Church prays, since it is the Holy Spirit living in the Church, Who in every single soul 'prays in us with unspeakable groanings'.
quote by Edith Stein
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Prayer does not change God, but changes him who prays.
quote by Kierkegaard
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays.
quote by Soren Kierkegaard
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Heretic Prays
the heretic kneels
by the old willow tree
alone in the darkness
with life....
and prays....
with no need for salvation,
redemption, or change....
no thought of self,
of need and want,
he just lets go...
and prays....
nameless, part of all....
formless, evolving forms.....
from soul to spirit....
becoming....
the scripture of small creatures,
the hymns of the wind.....
eternity unleashed in each moment.....
the heretic prays!
poem by Eric Cockrell
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Sonnet: On Prayer
The pow’r of prayer can astonish you;
Through prayer, we can speak to God each day.
There isn’t a thing that prayer cannot do!
A miracle can happen, if you pray.
A prayer ought to come deep from your heart;
God hears your prayer if you can just kneel;
Saying a prayer is a faithful’s art!
A prayer must be fervent in appeal.
God answers prayers said by righteous souls;
Through Mary, we can win favors from God;
A hymn of praise or thanksgiving has roles;
When more than two can pray, God will reward.
A prayer can change fate of sinners all;
A prayer breaks sin’s invisible wall!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 2-3-2008
poem by John Celes
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On Those Days One Prays
When one prays,
A seeking from the outside...
Begins within!
To identify miracles,
One must sit in a quietness...
That has come to visit upon request.
When one prays...
The mind should be at rest.
When one prays,
A thankfulness should be first expressed.
With an appreciation for those blessings,
One sometimes ignores but gets!
When one prays.
When one prays,
A seeking from the outside...
Begins within!
To identify miracles,
One must sit in a quietness...
That has come to visit upon request.
When one prays...
The mind should be at rest.
With a confession professed,
As a thankfulness one expresses.
On those days one prays.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Welcome Change
Change is inevitable,
But yet we fight it, just the same.
Change is essential to our evolution.
Change is going to happen,
In fact, it happens every day,
Maybe it is too small to see, or perhaps we would rather not see it.
We fight change, because we fight the unknown,
We fight the unknown, because we are scared,
Scared of change, scared of the unknown.
If we were to allow change to happen freely,
We might find solutions to the problems that exist around us,
But instead, we are hung - up on controlling everything around us.
Maybe this is the problem with the world today.
Everyone assumes control of everything and does not allow nature to run her course.
Maybe this is why, we have devastating fall out from Nature,
Natural catastrophic disasters, such as fire and flooding.
We fight change, therefore we are fighting nature and her natural being and her existence
in the world that she has created by God's hand and has graciously allowed us to be a
part of .
We should welcome change and allow nature to control our destiny.
Change is uncontrollable,
Change is inevitable,
Change is the unknown.
Nature takes pride in being one of life's illusive wonders, the unknown.
poem by Gina Whitacre
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Sonnet-All Happen as God Wants
All things of Nature happen in God's ways;
Each seed and frond; each flower and tree-He grows;
All things must happen in His time and days;
Each life is kindled by the Lord, of course.
Man has a part in everything we see;
Yet, Nature takes the upper hand always;
Unexpected things happen too, may be;
God gives His grace to face well if man prays.
And grief and death must also come some day;
Each tumor grows as per the will of God;
All earthlings are destined to die some way;
We come from dust and must go back to clod.
Yet, prayer can make miracles happen;
Just like how fruits enlarge in size, ripen.
poem by John Celes
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That Pretty Girl in the Army
“Now I often sit at Watty’s, when the night is very near
With a head that’s full of jingles – and the fumes of bottled beer;
For I always have a fancy that, if I am over there
When the Army prays for Watty, I’m included in the prayer.
“It would take a lot of praying, lots of thumping on the drum,
To prepare our sinful, straying, erring souls for Kingdom Come,
But I love my fellow-sinners! And I hope upon the whole,
That the Army gets a hearing when it prays for Watty’s soul.
poem by Henry Lawson
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What Is Prayer?
Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Unuttered or expressed;
The motion of a hidden fire,
That trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear;
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high.
Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,
The Christian's native air;
His watchword at the gates of death -
He enters heaven with prayer.
Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice,
Returning from his ways;
While angels in their songs rejoice
And cry, 'Behold, he prays!'
The saints in prayer appear as one,
In word, in deed, and mind;
While with the Father and the Son,
Sweet fellowship they find.
No prayer is made by man alone
The Holy Spirit pleads;
And Jesus, on th' eternal throne
For sinners intercedes.
O Thou! by Whom we come to God,
The Life, the Truth, the Way;
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod:
Lord, teach us how to pray.
As fail the waters from the deep,
As summer brooks run dry,
Man lieth down in dreamless sleep,
His life is vanity.
Man lieth down, no more to wake,
Till yonder arching sphere
Shall with a roll of thunder break,
And nature disappear.
Oh! hide me till Thy wrath be past,
Thou, who canst slay or save!
Hide me where hope may anchor fast,
In my Redeemer's grave!
poem by James Montgomery
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Man's nature is not essentially evil. Brute nature has been know to yield to the influence of love. You must never despair of human nature.
quote by Mohandas Gandhi
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Church matters
It has happened that a minister visits me
and ask for assistance,
that I cannot give
at that moment.
If a minister prays
that my eyes must be opened,
I consider at times
at whose eyes are really closed.
If his prayer turns into a preach
and he uses prayer,
to force me into his will
and he twists the arm of God,
I marvel at who sins more?
poem by Gert Strydom
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Prayer Is the Soul's Sincere Desire
Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,
Unuttered or expressed;
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.
Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath,
The Christian’s native air,
His watchword at the gates of death;
He enters heaven with prayer.
O Thou, by Whom we come to God,
The Life, the Truth, the Way;
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod:
Lord, teach us how to pray!
Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice,
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice
And cry, “Behold, he prays!”
The saints in prayer appear as one
In word, in deed, and mind,
While with the Father and the Son
Sweet fellowship they find.
No prayer is made by man alone
The Holy Spirit pleads,
And Jesus, on th’eternal throne,
For sinners intercedes.
O Thou by Whom we come to God,
The Life, the Truth, the Way,
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod:
Lord, teach us how to pray.
poem by James Montgomery
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Influence of Nature!
Nature still has influence over everything!
No one can escape from the control of Nature
As we are all part and parcel of Nature ever.
This no one can forget whatever we do here!
Hottest summer and coldest winter and also
Heaviest rains are for balancing itself does
Nature go on doing as there is no other go!
To have better treat we have to take efforts.
Pollution control consciousness is much needed
Both in land and air as well as water everywhere
To keep Earth healthy whatever man exploits
For the betterment of himself and places ever!
Whatever advancements man does by technology
Cannot excel or overcome Nature anywhere ever!
poem by Ramesh T A
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I believe that God prays in us and through us, whether we are praying or not (and whether we believe in God or not). So, any prayer on my part is a conscious response to what God is already doing in my life.
quote by Malcolm Boyd
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Nothing Can Match It
When one prays
They seek safe passage.
Nothing can match it,
When a faith stays.
And,
When one prays
They seek safe passage.
Nothing can match it
When a faith prayed stays.
Hope,
Nothing can match it.
With a faith.
Nothing can match it.
To initiate
Debate.
And,
When a prayer goes to the root
The feeling felt is absolute.
When one prays...
They seek safe passage.
Nothing can match it,
When a faith stays.
Hope,
Nothing can match it.
With a faith.
Nothing can match it.
To initiate
Debate.
And,
When a prayer goes to the root.
The feeling felt is absolute.
And,
When one prays.
They seek safe passage.
Nothing can match it...
When a faith prayed stays.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Do not just long for a change, know how to accept it
Nothing is permanent
Except the change
Change is a necessary phenomenon
In an active system
Changelessness is deadly
Change is continuous
Steady and driven by a cause
Nature and extent of change
Depend on
Nature and extent of cause
We all look for
And indeed long for a change
And we have specifications
Many a time
The occurring change is
Not the change we were
Looking or longing for
We turn excited or sad
Because of the change
Many a time we are
Unprepared for the change
Though we were longing for it
Often we find it difficult
To accommodate and
Accept the change
Nothing wrong
Longing for a change
But desiring itself not enough
We need to create such
Causes that will lead
To the change we look for
Many a time these causes
Are not totally under our control
So, it is well-advised
To be prepared for the
Deviations from your specifications
Then you will find yourself
In a position to accept
The change whole-heartedly
Long for a change,
Plan actions accordingly,
Execute and wait
Change has to come
But, again be prepared
To accept the change
Despite its falling short
Or exceeding your
Specifications
poem by Bashyam Narayanan
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Prayer Changes
Somebody just look back over your life and
See where he brought you from
How many of you know?
Prayer changes (I heard that)
Prayer changes (I believe that)
Prayer changes (I know that)
Prayer changes things
Prayer changes (I heard that)
Prayer changes (I believe that)
Prayer changes (I know that)
Prayer changes things
Now I was in a real bad abusive relationship
Knowing that that was no way for me to live
A young girl like me, raised up in a good family
Way too young to endure such misery
And every night I cry myself to sleep from all the pain
And the more I prayed for sunny days it seemed to rain
(He'd hit me) at any given time
(He'd hit me) no reason at all
(He'd hit me) so, so hard
(He'd hit me) my God, sometimes I'd fall
Mama asked what happened to me
And I'd take up for him
She said the devil's a liar
And prayed God get rid of him
And now I'm going to school
Hitting those books I'm doing fine
He's out my life I'm not confused
Got peace of mind man I tell you
Prayer changes (it changes)
Prayer changes (oh it changes)
Prayer changes (I'm a witness)
Prayer changes things (said I know)
Prayer changes (it changes)
Prayer changes (it changes)
Prayer changes (I'm a living witness)
Prayer changes things
I was a freshman in college and uh...
I had just made it on the basketball team (yeah)
I had all the skills it took to make it
But on my grades I would get nothing but all D's (whoa-ah)
And the coach came to me
And had a talk with me about my career
Said if you don't get your grades up
I'm gonna have to sit you down this year
Man as tough as I was I'd break down and cried
'Cause everybody knows me
Knows that basketball is my life
(Algebra) I studied hard
(Chemistry) I gave my all
(Calculus) oh my God
(English) so many flaws
Playing ball didn't look to good for me (yeah)
My future, could not see (ooh)
I had lost all my beliefs (uh-huh)
And gave up on all my dreams (ooh yeah)
Then I went to church on Sunday (ooh-ooh)
And the pastor began to preach (yeah)
It was like he was talking to me (ohh)
When he said I can do all things (whoo-hoo)
In Christ that strengthens me (ooh-whoo)
And for me that was enough (ohh)
Now that I went from a D
All the way to an A plus
I tell you prayer changes things
Prayer changes
Prayer changes (prayer)
Prayer changes (it changes things, yeah)
Prayer changes things (ohh)
Prayer changes (said it changes things)
Prayer changes
Prayer changes (I'm a living witness that)
Prayer changes things
Me and my wife (yeah) had a few problems
We thought that nothing could solve 'em
Listening to family members (whoa) and so called friends
Man I tell you that's just how the devil creeps in (oh yes it is)
We were separated at least for a month or two (mmm-hmm)
She was wilding in the clubs
And I was out there doing wrong too (whoa-oh)
And we would walk around the house (yeah)
Putting each other down (yeah)
I mean right in front of the kids (yeah)
We would curse each other out (mmm)
Then I was in a bad accident (yeah)
And almost lost my life (yeah)
And guess who was there for me...
My wife
Now ain't it funny how He makes a way (yeah)
When we said there was no way (yeah)
I'm out the hospital and back at home
Planning another wedding day, I tell you
Prayer changes (it changes)
Prayer changes (prayer changes)
Prayer changes (prayer changes)
Prayer changes things (things, I'm a witness that)
Prayer changes (change)
Prayer changes (prayer)
Prayer changes (changes)
Prayer changes things
Now all of these things were happening in one family (yeah)
But that's okay, cause there's nothing God can't achieve (mmm-hmm)
I don't care what the problem in your life may be
'Cause who the Son sets free, is free indeed (oh)
And if you didn't know, now you should know (yeah, what)
All you have to do is take this family life for example
Now Mum and Dad are married again
Like four kids now, 'cause they just had twins (thank you)
Little sister all grown up now (yeah)
She's a lawyer, married with one child now
Two years, big brother's out of college (thank you)
And man he's got his hands full (hallelujah)
Blessed with skills, blessed with knowledge (hey)
Now he's playing for the Chicago Bulls
Prayer changes (Im a witness)
Prayer changes (prayer changes yeah)
Prayer changes (prayer changes)
Prayer changes things (whoa when it looks like)
Prayer changes (you can't make it at all)
Prayer changes (I know that prayer)
Prayer changes (changes things)
Prayer changes things (changes things)
Prayer changes (in the middle of the storm) (oh yeah)
Prayer changes (prayer will calm) (yeah)
Prayer changes ('cause it changes things)
Prayer changes things (yeah)
Prayer changes (prayer changes) (yes it does)
Prayer changes (prayer changes) (mmm)
Prayer changes (prayer changes things)
Prayer changes things (whoa)
Prayer changes (even if you're doing wrong) (yeah)
Prayer changes (or your money's gone) (oh)
Prayer changes (if you're put out your home)
Prayer changes things (yeah)
Prayer changes (if you can't find a friend) (a friend)
Prayer changes (at your journey's end) (oh)
Prayer changes (seems you just can't win)
Prayer changes things (whoa)
Prayer changes (you're really going through) (hey)
Prayer changes (and trouble's chasing you) (hey-hey)
Prayer changes (Heaven's got a hold on you)
Prayer changes things (yeah)
Prayer changes (when it seems you can't go on) (ohh)
Prayer changes (and all your strength is gone) (yeah)
Prayer changes (hold on it wont be long) (whoa)
Prayer changes things (I know prayer is gonna change)
Prayer changes (drinking or doing drugs) (hey)
Prayer changes (even if you're running the streets) (hey-hey)
Prayer changes (if in the music field)
Prayer changes things (rock, pop or R&B) (hey)
Prayer changes (prayer will change it) (hey)
Prayer changes (prayer will change it) (hey)
Prayer changes (prayer will change it) (yes it will)
Prayer changes things (prayer will change it) (hey)
Prayer changes (said I'm a living witness that) (prayer will)
Prayer changes (prayer will change it) (yes it will)
Prayer changes (it don't matter what)
Prayer changes things (you're going through)
song performed by by R. Kelly
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Mother Teresas Prays!
A CHILD is borne with aids,
her only hope, mother teresas
beatiful tears.
A WOMEN crying for help, starts
to cut her wrist, still mother teresa
prays.
A MAN sells him self for drugs, still
mother teresa prays.
A world with to many guns,, still
mother teresa prays....
poem by David Gerardino
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