The Power of Prayer

Over the past few days/weeks/month's I've been thinking a lot about the power of prayer. While I know that there is great power in that simple act, I can't deny that sometime's it's hard to really believe it. I've seen first hand how powerful prayer can be, especailly when you have many people coming together in unity to pray for a single thing. At the same time, for every prayer that I've seen answered in ways bigger than I ever could have imagined, I've also seen many MANY smaller prayers, and smaller requests, simply go unanswered. I've been asking myself of late; Do I really believe what I say I believe about prayer? Am I truely conversing with the Almighty? The Orchestrator of the universe? The Sovereign and All-knowing? The Passionate Lover of me?

I've seen God work. I know He influences individuals. I, myself, have experienced His power in an extreme physical healing, and have seen Him heal others.

At the same time, I've seen Him seemly turn a cold shoulder to the needs of some. Fervant and persistent prayers seem to go unanswered. What do I say to this? What do I say to my friend who's struggling with something that, despite faithful prayers, doesn't seem to get any better?

In my head, I know all the right answers I'm supposed to tell myself when I wonder these things, but do I really believe them, or am I just making excuses for God?

Do I really believe all that I say I do about the power of prayer?

More thoughts on Capital Lights

Upon further analysis and conversations about the one of my new favorite bands, Capital Lights, I think a major reason I like them so much is because much of their album is ANGRY!  And not just any kind of angry, it's angry at romance!  And relationships!  It's bitter, and cynical, and in some parts, really depressing in it's attitudes towards romance.  I LOVE IT!  Perhaps because of my dealings with romance, or lack thereof.

The musical style is punk/pop, which I don't hate, but don't normally gravitate towards.  I think this should be further evidence that I am more drawn to lyrics in music, than the music itself.  The beat, or melody may initially get my attention, but unless the lyrics are good, or in this case, relatable, I will lose interest fairly quickly.  Anyway, that's all I've got.  I hope you go to youtube or something and check Capital Lights out.  Listen, really listen to the lyrics on the song "Outrage".  You'll get what I'm saying.

Mile Away

I'm a mile away from where I belong and I'm a mile away from home
I'm lying awake at the thought of you gone, and I'm a mile away from home

On top of the world he thought, let down when he hit the spot
dead stare in the mirror as he drove
Had room for warming up, he got cold feet so he had to run
to a city with a history of love
knowing she relies on me but I'm on my way to an unpredicted fall
feet under the covers now, lips sealed tight till I hear a sound
the sound of a soon redeeming call

Now I know I never dreamed to be a movie star but I'm hiding in the Hollywood hills 
I've learned regret from a cowards mouth wouldn't let her know how I feel
Held up and I'm stuck in line, can barely get around on the 405
headed downtown in a half-full automobile
now but deep inside I see the light, I'm a runaway victim left alone
at night though you lay so far, we both stare out at the same old stars 
wishing for direction where to go

Oh but I could never forget the guilty look in your eyes at the end
I walk the line like a merry-go-round, thought I learned but I lost you again
And all at once if the world stops spinning maybe you could let me in
Oh but I could never forget the guilty look in your eyes at the end

Wow, I didn't even realize that it's been about a month and a half since I've posted on here.  I really should work on updating more often.  There have been a lot of things that I've thought about posting on here in the past month and a half, but I've talked myself out of it because of the things being way to personal to post online for anyone in the world to see.  There are several people that I know for sure who read my blogs, and those are generally the people that I wouldn't mind reading my personal thoughts, because I would like their insight on them, but I don't know who else reads it, and I don't want anyone and everyone to know anything and everything that is going on in my head.

So, one thing I can write about that's not oober personal, is the song lyrics posted above, and the album from which they came.  The song above is called Mile Away and is probably one of my favorite songs on the album This is an Outrage by the band Capital Lights.  This band is a fairly new band, they've done some other stuff under different names that I have not heard, but according to various internet sites, the style is very different.  I really like the album This is an Outrage.  It's a fun album to listen to, but upon closer examination of the lyrics, one would find much deeper feelings and meanings hidden beneath the upbeat musicality.

On another note, I miss all my Muncie people.  It appears that there will be no meeting for Revo this Sunday morning which makes me very sad.  I'm excited to get back and see everyone again!