Eugene H. Peterson, translator/paraphraser of The Message version of the Bible has the following words of wisdom:

Be still and know. Civilization is littered with unsolved problems, baffling impasses. The best minds of the world are at the end of their tether. The most knowledgeable observers of our condition are badly frightened. The most relevant contribution that Christians make at these points is the act of prayer -determined, repeated, leisurely meetings with the personal and living God. New life is conceived in these meetings.

—Eugene H. Peterson,from “Earth to Altar”