So how can we get a taste of this soul food? Our souls are actually restless and hungry until we find spiritual grounding. "In God, we live and move and have our being." The simplicity of soul food is found through prayer. The power of prayer is undeniable. The availability is twenty-four hours a day. Prayer helps us listen to our lives. We can have conversations with the Holy in everyday experiences. We can pray alone, with others, through a journal and even prayer walks. Sometimes our prayers have feelings too deep for words. However we pray, there is always a loving Presence, a caring Power who hears every spoken and unspoken yearning.

Prayer is empowering and energizing. We can pray for justice, compassion, for ourselves and those we love in sickness and in health. We can pray for our soul mates, holy unions, children and families. We can even pray for our enemies and those who oppress and persecute us! Prayer "is political action and social energy!" As a result, our spiritual orientation deepens. Prayer is good for our souls and speaks to us about the deepest yearnings of our hearts.

Soul Food is for everyone! It is our hope and prayer that each reader be blessed with a full plate of nourishing spiritual food for the journey. Soul Food is dedicated to the arts of spiritual conversation, Scripture reading and quiet prayer with respect for all religious traditions and seekers. Soul food, soul care and soul sharing is a spiritual heritage worthy of reclaiming!

Welcome to Soul Food! Your spirituality will never be the same. Let yourself be touched by Divine love. "God is ready the moment you are."

The author of this material is "Surprised by Joy" (surprisedbyjoy@yahoo.com). "Surprised by Joy" is an ordained UFMCC Christian minister who discovered that God is wonder-full to be with. It is our hope and prayer at soulfoodministry.org that all visitors will experience the tenderloving- kindness of God and receive spiritual food for their journey.