Fear and Trembling

Almighty and Most-merciful God, You have given us the United States of America as our heritage.  Make us always remember your generosity toward us.  Bless us with honest industry, sound learning, and an honorable way of life. We come from many nations with many different languages.  Make us a people united under a culture that honors you above all else.  When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful; and, in troubled times, do not let our trust in you fail. Bless the courts and the magistrates in our land.  Give them wisdom and understanding, that they may perceive the truth and administer the law impartially as instruments of your divine will.  Grant that we as a nation would turn to you from our many sins, especially the scourge of abortion, that your glory might be displayed for those in other nations to see.  Let our sexuality no longer be a source of sin.  Let the rest of the world glorify your name because of what they see i...

Almighty and ever-living God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for your church and the United States of America.  Forgive us of our many and grievous sins that this prayer might be heard.  Thank you that we can be forgiven because of what Jesus Christ did in his perfect life in this world and in his sacrificial death on the cross. By your word you created all we see and know.  By your word, you made us in your image.  By your word, Christ is raised from the tomb, death is overcome, and we are given new life by the power of your Spirit.  Help us to boldly proclaim this good news, rejoicing always in your powerful presence.  Let us go forward without fear of poverty, derision, or even death in order to glorify your great name. Thank you for life, health, food, and opportunity.  Thank you for work to do and for strength to do that work.  Thank you for our homes, our families, our churches, and our friends. For ou...

I received some mass e-mail communication from The Colson Center today regarding a new book by Dr. Curt Thompson, a Psychiatrist who is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Thompson has an interesting hypothesis that he says is born out by experimentation: prayer and other spiritual disciplines affect the mind itself. Here is an excerpt from Dr. Thompson's  article over at the Colson Center : …consider one of the features of the brain that neuroscientists call neuroplasticity. This refers to the capacity for the brain to do three things: (1) produce new neurons; (2) to increase the speed and efficiency of neurons by increasing their length and diameter and (3) increase or decrease the level of connections between neurons, depending on how often they are used—those neuron patterns that are fired more frequently make greater attachments, and those that are used less frequently are pruned away…. Current neuroscience supports the idea that spiritual...