One Harlem preacher likens us to the pink plastic spoons at Baskin Robbins: we give the world a foretaste of what lies ahead, the vision of the Biblical prophets. In a world gone astray we should be activity demonstrating here and now God's will for the planet.

For me, prayer is not so much me setting out a shopping list of requests for God to consider as it is a way of keeping company with God.

Release what is good.

Christians fail to communicate to others because we ignore basic principles in relationship. When we make condescending judgments or proclaim lofty words that don't translate into action, or simply speak without first listening, we fail to love - and thus deter a thirsty world from Living Water. The good news about God's grace goes unheard.

God formed an alliance based on the world as it is, full of flaws, whereas prayer calls God to account for the world as it should be.

Goodness cannot be imposed externally, from the top down; it must grow internally, from the bottom up.

Whatever else it is, the kingdom of God is decidedly not a call to violent revolution.