Rather than wallowing in self-pity or bitterness, David praised God with a grateful heart. Praise leaves humanity out of the picture and focuses fully on the exaltation of the living God. The magnifying glass of praise always looks up.

Prayer is the greatest and most important conversation we’ll have all day. Through human expressions, prayer touches the divine heart. Infant lips may babble and intelligent lips may baffle, but the Lord hears in His heaven and acts on His earth.

The Lord’s Prayer isn’t a magical formula. It isn’t an incantation. But for those who learn to humble themselves and ask the Father for the right things in the right way, prayer can become a rich source of encouragement, joy, and peace.

Is it true, prayer changes things? That depends on what “things” we are talking about. I think when most of us wonder whether or not prayer changes things, we’re really asking if God will intervene in a specific situation.