We have in our day no prince, prophet, or leader, no burnt offering, sacrifice, oblation, or incense, no place to offer first fruits, to find favor with you. But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received; As though it were burnt offerings of rams and bullocks, or thousands of fat lambs. This prayer from the Book of Daniel reflects the time after the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. The people had lost their sacred place, their holy land, their royal kingdom. All they could offer was their “contrite hearts.” And that was sufficient. In fact, that is really all that God wants. We put lots of energy into institutions and structures but what really matters is an interior spirit that is aligned with the Spirit of God. All else is gravy.
