Gary Weaver says that "prayer is part poetry, part free-association, and part love letter to God. When spoken, it is the most intimate, sacred speech we utter. When written down, it becomes a diary of the heart." And that's a perfect description of this compelling collection of more than 160 prayers. Some are songs of celebration and joy that "dance before the Lord," while others are desperate pleas for clarity, direction, and meaning amidst loss, divorce, suffering, injustice, fear, and anger. But all of them bring the gentle words of thoughtful introspection and a sustained conversation with the Almighty to the raging storm of daily life with its overwhelming cacophony of motion, noise, and imagery. These prayers can be used in almost any setting from the sanctuary to the stadium, as well as in study groups, prayer circles, nursing homes, or for private meditation. If you're looking for a prayer resource that speaks clearly about the Christian faith while addressing serious human questions, concerns, doubts, and distress, Gentle Words in a Raging Storm is a first-rate compilation you'll find yourself returning to again and again. Themes include: - Personal prayers - Pastoral prayers - Prayers about the seasons of life - Prayers about suffering, dying, and grief - Prayers for the journey of faith - Prayers for special occasions Gentle Words in a Raging Storm invites the worship leader to explore a rich variety of prayer topics, images, and metaphors. I would prescribe a careful reading of this book for anyone who suspects that repetition and sameness have invaded their public prayers. R. David Steele Pastor Emeritus, Christ Presbyterian Church Terra Linda, California Former columnist, The Presbyterian Outlook Gary R. Weaver is the executive presbyter of the Presbytery of Pueblo (Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.) in Pueblo, Colorado. He has pastored churches in California, Utah, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, and Arizona. Weaver holds degrees from the University of Kansas, the University of New Mexico, and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Sudden tragedy strikes two close-knit, healthy, and active sisters. They are forced to dig deeply to find the resources to get them through these dark hours. A dynamic young woman's life, hopes, dreams, and future are unexpectedly short-circuited by an ocean wave, which brings her crashing down and then releases her to a life that will never again be the same. Her newfound faith confronts a test that could either destroy it completely or stir it to a depth she had not thought possible. Her entire family must adapt to challenges they had never imagined! Together the family gathers all the strength they can to be there for their sister and daughter, while each one is personally questioning, "Why? Will it even be possible to surmount these devastating circumstances?" How does one begin to live while feeling paralyzed? Is it possible to overcome survivor's guilt so pervasive that you literally feel as if you are "being eaten alive from the inside out?" Is life truly filled with irreversible choices? Are we sinking in the battle between "good and evil" when we find ourselves sliding downward toward depression, destruction, and death? Can pausing and focusing on an attitude of thankfulness redeem us and bring us back to life? In the face of such overwhelming circumstances, what would your first prayer be? A simple "Thank you, God, I'm breathing without a machine today"? Can happiness arise when we turn our backs on our life's major disappointments and focus on the gifts and the people that God puts in our paths each day? Dive into this true life story and discover one of the most incredible journeys to finding and living in abundant peace and joy! The decisions we make in any given moment can change everything. One choice could bring life or death. One choice could determine who we will become. One choice could decide our future. Choose today: who or what will you serve?

The "Gentleman's magazine" section is a digest of selections from the weekly press; the "(Trader's) monthly intelligencer" section consists of news (foreign and domestic), vital statistics, a register of the month's new publications, and a calendar of forthcoming trade fairs.

In this romance of opposites attract, a former soldier turned writer is forced to take on a personal assistant—a woman who is as cheerful as he is grumpy. When former Special Forces agent Jack Garner opens his door to Erin Riley, he makes two things clear: he won’t sleep with her, and he writes alone. Clearly, fame and fortune have done nothing to brighten this bestselling author’s brooding manner. But his second book is long overdue, and Erin is there to jumpstart his writing . . . if not his heart. Bright, chatty and positive, Erin is like a sunny day to Jack’s perpetual night. And even as she struggles to contain her sizzling attraction, she knows she can help Jack have a breakthrough. When the words finally start to flow, Jack starts to wonder if “once upon a time” could become “happily-ever-after.” Now, that would be something worth writing about . . .

At long last, Deborah Vandermark is preparing for her own wedding...but the groom suddenly goes absent. Tragedy has befallen Christopher's family in Kansas City, upsetting the doctor's future with Deborah. With five siblings now under his care, can he return to Texas and impose a ready-made family on Deborah? Deborah herself finds her resolve faltering as her fears about marriage and career start to overwhelm her. How can she marry and be a mother to Christopher's siblings, and still be able to pursue her work and training as a physician? When an old adversary reveals a contract that may spell ruin for Vandermark Logging, Deborah's life seems to be spiraling out of control. How can God possibly work this for good? And can Christopher and Deborah find a way to claim the future they long to share when so much stands in their way?

Compiled by Dr. Dan Crawford, this is an 80 chapter, 592 page textbook written by 80 different professors and national prayer leaders. It is a complete textbook on prayer designed for pastors and seminary students and Christian college students who are training for the ministry. The content covers both personal prayer issues and concepts and how to grow prayer in a church. Here are the 4 Sections of the book and a listing of some of the chapter topics: Section One: The Theological Foundation of Prayer Chapter 1: The Bible and Prayer- Gary T. Meadors Chapter 2: Jewish Traditions of Prayer- Jan Verbrugge Chapter 3: Prayer and the Kingdom of God- Ron Walborn Chapter 4: God the Father and Prayer- Patricia A. Outlaw Chapter 5: God the Son and Prayer- James R. Wicker Chapter 6: Praying in the Name of Jesus- Randal Roberts Chapter 7: The Gospel of Prayer- John W. Taylor Chapter 8: God the Spirit and Prayer- James L. Wakefield Chapter 12: The Aspects, Varieties and Kinds of Prayer- Alice Smith Chapter 13: Prayer and the Sovereignty of God- Leith Anderson Chapter 15: Problems of Seemingly Unanswered Prayer- Elmer L. Towns Chapter 19: Responding in Prayer to God's Character- Aida Besancon Spencer Section Two: The Personal Passion for Prayer Chapter 23: Jesus as a Role Model of Personal Passion in Prayer- Howard Baker Chapter 25: Disciplines of Personal Prayer- Dan R. Crawford Chapter 30: How to Address God in Prayer- William David Spencer Chapter 31: To Whom Does God Listen?- W. Bingham Hunter Chapter 32: How to Hear from God in Prayer- Calvin A. Blom Section Three: The Corporate Expression of Prayer Chapter 41: The Bible and Church Prayer- J. Chris Schofield Chapter 42: The Place of Prayer in the Early Church- Steve Booth Chapter 43: The Meaning of "A House of Prayer"- Dennis Fuqua Chapter 44: How to Build a House of Prayer- Dave Butts Chapter 47: Leading/Facilitating Corporate Prayer- Phil Miglioratti Chapter 48: Prayer in the Corporate Worship Service- Jonathan Graf Chapter 54: Mobilizing Youth to Pray- Mike Higgs Chapter 55: Prayer Components for City-wide Movements- Tom White Chapter 56: Pastoral Prayers of Intercession- Stan May Chapter 57: Worship Based Prayer vs. List Based Prayer- Dick Eastman Chapter 60: How to Evaluate the Prayer Life of a Congregation- Daniel Henderson Section Four: The Global Impact of Prayer Chapter 61: The Bible and Global Prayer- Henry Blackaby Chapter 62: Prayer and Spiritual Awakenings- Glenn Sheppard Chapter 63: Prayer and Evangelism- Alvin L. Reid Chapter 66: Strategic Prayer for God's Mission and Missionaries- Mike Barnett Chapter 69: Prayer and Spiritual Warfare- Chuck Lawless Chapter 70: Mobilizing Prayer Advocacy- Eleanor Witcher Chapter 75: Prayer for the Harvest- Paula Hemphill Chapter 76: Prayer Journeys: Praying on Location for the Nations- Pat Allen Chapter 80: The Lord's Model of Prayer for the Kingdom- Darrell W. Johnson