If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace.

As a pastor, you get asked questions and receive emails. Many of them I had answered, but just in conversation. So we kind of re-crafted the question and answered it. It turned out to be an interesting exercise. I hope it's encouraging for people.

What causes us to think of prayer as the last option rather than the first? I can think of two reasons: feelings of independence and feelings of insignificance.

Worry divides the mind.

The difference between mercy and grace? Mercy gave the prodigal son a second chance. Grace gave him a feast.

No one can pray and worry at the same time. When we worry, we aren't praying. When we pray, we aren't worrying.

As we meditate on Christ's life, we find strength for our own.