Cats and dogs respond differently to their masters's care. While the dog thinks "You must be God " the cat thinks "I must be God " When we first become believers, we still have a natural tendency to be self-centered, especially in how we pray. As a result, many Christians prayers that are more of a laundry list of "all about me" requests. Because God doesn't answer these kinds of prayer, we tend to give up on praying believing that God doesn't answer prayer. As a result, we end up checking in from time to time making sure he knows we're there and reminding him of our needs--hoping he'll do something about them. Cat and Dog Prayer will help move you from self-centered prayers to God-focused prayers. You'll learn how to pray, as the authors show: How to pray prayers that God wants to answer How you've been given a Blank Check by God The six reasons why God says Wait The four reasons why God says No How to pray Cause Me Prayers releasing the Holy Spirit completely in your life, and How you need to be careful about what you pray about--because it can be the very thing that takes you away from God himself This book will change the way you pray. It is a natural outflow ofCat and Dog Theology also written by Bob and Gerald.

At which Oxford college does a trumpeter summon you to dinner? What does the appearance of a rose bowl signify? How would you use a grace cup as distinct from a sconce cup? The custom of dining in formal hall at Oxford and Cambridge dates back to the earliest days of college life. Before each dinner, according to ancient statutes, grace must be spoken in Latin, and although the text and nature of the grace for each college may have changed over the years, it is a tradition which remains current to this day. Following a historical introduction, the full Latin texts of the graces of the colleges of Oxford and Cambridge are given in this book, accompanied by a facing English translation. Special graces reserved for feast days are also included, along with an explanation of some of the traditions which accompany dining in college halls. From an exploration of the twelfth-century monastic origins of the texts to the creation of two-word graces in the nineteenth century and new texts for the modern age, this meticulous collection reveals how the tradition of the Latin grace has survived and evolved over the centuries and offers a rare glimpse inside the private halls of Oxbridge.

The book is an annotated critical edition of an unpublished collection of hymnographical texts, preserved in the eleventh-century Greek manuscript 11 of the library of Leimonos monastery, Lesbos, Greece. This important codex is a Menaion for June comprising thirty akolouthiai on saints; nineteen of them are hitherto unpublished. The edition of the texts is accompanied by an introduction, a liturgical, palaeographical, and hymnographical commentary, appendices of unpublished hymns preserved in manuscripts other than Lesbiacus Leimonos 11, and indices. The introduction examines codex Lesbiacus Leimonos 11 and its importance from a liturgical, hymnographical, and palaeographical perspective. It is divided into four chapters. The first presents the liturgical environment of the period from the ninth century, when most of the texts edited were composed, to the eleventh, when the production of the codex could be placed, and the liturgical books used in the period, the structure of the akolouthiai and the festal calendar of the Byzantine church. The second chapter deals with the content of the texts edited. Chapter Three presents briefly the life and the hymnographical work of the authors of the texts. The last chapter of the introduction is devoted to the manuscript tradition of the texts.

Most evangelical Christians know of Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible, but few are as familiar with his A Method for Prayer, with Scripture Expressions Proper to Be Used under Each Head.

'No better way could have been found to mark the end of the long unchallenged reign of Cranmer's Prayer Book than Dr Cuming's superb charting of its history.' Journal of Theological Studies

Do the unending obstacles you face make you feel like you're in a constant spiritual battle? Arm yourself with 100 prayers that will uplift and encourage you during the difficult moments of life. It can be difficult to find the right words when you're praying through hard times. In Battle Prayers, find a classic model to lift your prayers to God, not only for yourself, but others. Each prayer is woven together with Scripture, reminding you that the answers to your struggles can be found in God's Word and by listening to Him. Battle Prayers: Shows how the power of prayer can lead you to find lasting encouragement Provides inspiration and theological accuracy Offers prayers ideal for helping move the mountains that can sometimes stand in between us and God Whether a gift or for yourself, this volume of 100 prayers features: Specific Scriptures and cross-references to other prayers in the book for additional encouragement First-person prayers addressed directly to God, ideal for reading aloud during morning, evening, or devotional prayer time A helpful and encouraging Appendix: "The 10 Essential Qualities of an Effective Battle Prayer" Prayer doesn't stop with the "Amen," and is merely the beginning of deeper, daily, more meaningful communication with our Creator. Find peace in stress, healing for broken relationships, and protection for your loved ones in this essential volume of prayers.

This book of Catholic prayers is designed to help believers participate at Mass and receive the Sacraments and to be united with God in the circumstances of life and celebrations of the Mysteries of salvation during the Liturgical Year.

God doesn't demand hectic church programs and frenetic schedules; he only wants his people to know him more intimately, says top-selling author D. A. Carson. The apostle Paul found that spiritual closeness in his own fellowship with the Father. By following Paul's example, we can do the same. This book calls believers to reject superficiality and revolutionize their lives by embracing a God-guided approach to prayer. Previously published as A Call to Spiritual Reformation, this book has now been updated to connect more effectively with contemporary readers. A study guide, DVD, and leader's kit for the book are available through Lifeway and The Gospel Coalition.

The world of special needs is filled with statistics: in the United States, about 17 percent of children have a diagnosed developmental disability, and 14 percent of public school students receive special education services. But behind these statistics are stories-stories of children struggling to fit into a world that wasn't designed for them, and stories of parents giving everything they have to advocate for their children. Most of these parents didn't choose this path; they were thrust upon it unknowing, unprepared, and often overwhelmed. They may struggle to talk about their experiences in relatable ways with family, friends, and even God. Special Grace is a collection of 127 prayers for all aspects of life for families with special needs. Here are prayers for family life, school, and church; prayers for an initial diagnosis, for the first day of school, and for celebrating a milestone. Each section is set off by a reflective essay from Evans's own family life. Filled with humor and wisdom, these prayers and reflections will help families process their experiences together and offer them to God with hope and simple trust. In moments when the cries of your heart leave you speechless, Special Grace provides words you can bring before your Father in heaven.

2013 Catholic Press Award Winner What can we learn from early Christian imagery about the theological meaning of baptism? Robin Jensen, a leading scholar of early Christian art and worship, examines multiple dimensions of the early Christian baptismal rite. She explores five models for understanding baptism--as cleansing from sin, sickness, and Satan; as incorporation into the community; as sanctifying and illuminative; as death and regeneration; and as the beginning of the new creation--showing how visual images, poetic language, architectural space, and symbolic actions signify and convey the theological meaning of this ritual practice. Considering image and action together, Jensen offers a holistic and integrated understanding of the power of baptism. The book is illustrated with photos.

Clouds and Glory is the final volume in a three-volume collection of prayers and other resources based on the New Common Worship Lectionary used widely around the world. Written in the Celtic style for which David Adam is well-known, and linked to the Sunday readings, these prayers and intercessions may be used by congregations for the Prayers of the People, as well as by individuals seeking to supplement their personal devotions.

The Christian mystery, celebrated in the Roman Catholic liturgy, is a sensible mystery, and calls out for artistic expression. Living Beauty explores the Christian mystery and points to the need for a liturgical aesthetic as a means to encounter the divine mystery. A liturgical aesthetic gives an account of Christian worship in terms of a new set of categories that includes divine beauty, a theology of sensibility, and the new notion of a unitive revelatory experience. These categories help to reveal the aesthetic dimensions of the Church's watershed document on the liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium. The Church today stands in need of a new conversation on the aesthetic dimension of the liturgy and the role of the arts. Contrary to common opinion, the arts provide more than an environment or mere extrinsic ornamentation for the liturgy; they are intrinsic to the very nature of liturgy. They provide the means of being sanctified in the encounter with divine beauty that is the mystery of Christian worship. Artistic expression enables the worshiping community to receive the divine mystery in beauty.