Category Archives: Prayer

‘What about us?’

Posted on March 29, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

An Army chaplain I know took part in a battle simulation exercise prior to his unit deploying overseas. He entered a tent where four supposed bodies were lying, and checked their identification discs. Two indicated the wearers had religious affiliations … Continue reading →

Posted in Indifference, Prayer, Religion | Leave a comment

The essence of prayer

Posted on January 22, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

The most universal expression of spirituality is prayer. Even in the secular western world most people say they pray – but probably for things to change for their benefit. However, real prayer is about getting our lives and actions in … Continue reading →

Posted in Obedience, Prayer, Submission to God's will | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Don’t people say grace in this place?

Posted on November 5, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Celeste Sibley got an insight into the effect of childlike faith when she took her children to a diner for breakfast. It was crowded and her eight-year-old daughter Mary had to sit alone at the far end of the counter. … Continue reading →

Posted in Childlike faith, children, Example, Grace, Prayer | Leave a comment

Thank God for professional car thieves

Posted on July 4, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

A woman whose baby urgently needed medicine drove to a pharmacy to get the medication. Unfortunately, she then locked her keys in the car. She searched around and eventually found a wire coat hanger, but then realised she had no … Continue reading →

Posted in God, Prayer, thankfulness | Tagged | Leave a comment

Photographing the presence of God

Posted on June 25, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

The famous neurologist Professor Andrew Newberg actually takes photographs of what believers call ‘the presence of God’. He invites people to meditate and pray in a secluded room. Then, when they are most deeply absorbed in their devotions, he injects … Continue reading →

Posted in Calmness, God, God with us, God's presence, Peace, Prayer, Silence, Tranquility | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Prayers that become a curse

Posted on June 25, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

The ancient Greeks had a story about Aurora the goddess of the dawn, who fell in love with Tithonus, a mortal youth. So Zeus the king of the gods, offered her any gift she might choose for her lover; and … Continue reading →

Posted in Blessings, Curses, God, Prayer | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Hold the line

Posted on June 5, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

A woman once phoned a theatre to say she’d lost a valuable diamond brooch and thought it might have happened there the night before. The manager told her to hold the line while he went to look. He searched thoroughly … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Fear, Persistence, Prayer | Tagged , | Leave a comment

You can talk to God anytime – for free

Posted on May 19, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Loneliness is a growing problem in our society, especially for divorced people, single mothers, and the elderly. One example of this human tragedy is an advertisement in an American newspaper that read: ‘I will listen to you talk for thirty … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Friends, God, God's love, Loneliness, Prayer | Leave a comment

Access to the very top

Posted on May 19, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

An Icelandic teenager, some years ago, created quite a stir when he phoned the White House in Washington to speak to President George Bush. To get through security, Vifill Atlason pretended to be the President of Iceland. But before they’d … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to God, God, Prayer | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Becalmed Oasis

Posted on December 18, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

John Hopkins University in Baltimore, in a study of the effects of prayer sessions among black women with breast cancer, concluded that there is evidence that the meditative states produced by group prayer sessions are a natural part of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Peace, Prayer, Tranquility, Transformation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment