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Now more than ever we are discovering that prayer does work. But what is prayer? Is it a request for help when we need it? Communication with God totally forgotten when things are running smoothly in our lives? Some think it is a rehearsed series of words that, if spoken ritually once a day, will save them from going to hell or make them stand out in the eyes of God. These practices, in my humble opinion, are far from being true prayer.
One should live in prayer every minute of every day. Prayer is faith. The knowledge that "I Am" and that all that is necessary for my survival on this planet will be furnished. All that is necessary for joy will be provided as long as I strive for it. All that will harm me will be deflected. It is not only talking but listening.
We are all connected to each other much more closely than is even comfortable to believe. Our thoughts can effect our own reality and that of others. We can do harm just by directing any energy other than love outward. This doesn't mean that we should adopt a psychotic murderer or a rapist. After all, we were given common sense for a reason but it does mean that we must only wish the best for all, including those who have chosen to become our enemies. This act, this way of seeing and dealing with the world, is prayer.
When we are in need of something such as companionship or money, for things that are truly necessary in our lives we must not just ask for it once and then get upset because "God wasn't listening". We must truly believe that "this" will come to pass and say "Thank you for this", thank you for love and light in my life and that of others.
A few years ago I was living a life of emptiness and seemingly endless emotional pain. I weighed about 180 pounds which was pretty hard for me to carry around every day, not to mention the effect on my self esteem. I was "stuck" in a very painful relationship and living hand to mouth in a trailer park with very little income. I was afraid to look in the mirror because the face I saw was not my own, but a bloated face with suffering eyes that mirrored my internal destruction. It was terrifying.
This lasted a number of years until the effects of my life materialized in the physical. I became very ill with what I was told was severe asthma. I came very close to dying before finally going to a doctor and winding up in a hospital hooked up to an oxygen tank. During my stay in the hospital I finally had time to take a look at my life from the outside and I was appalled. How could I have allowed this to happen to myself? I had blamed God in the past but realized that the only one to blame for my current position was myself.
During my stay in that hospital and during my recovery in a small mountain farm house that my parents so graciously allowed me to use I decided that enough was enough. I would not allow this to happen anymore. This was the beginning of a long process of rebirth, aided by constant prayer.
I decided that the first thing to deal with was the physical. I felt that, in my situation and with my character, I must feel good about myself in all ways in order to gain the strength to leave the stagnation of my current existence. As soon as my lungs had recovered I began to exercise religiously. Nothing outlandish, just walking. Not only did this eventually help me to feel more energetic and healthy but it also became a time of meditation, a time to be alone with myself, away from the chaos of the constant struggle at home. During this "Me Time" I also approached the weight problem psychologically. I envisioned what I would look like to someone else as I was walking. I saw myself as thin and beautiful, full of life. I did this every day. Sometimes twice if the need to escape came up after my first walk. This is how I found myself again. This is how I found light and truth instead of fear.
After a few months the weight started to fall off very quickly and with every pound I became stronger, not only physically but emotionally. I was able to look in the mirror again and see my true self emerging from the dark corner that she had been imprisoned in for so many years.
I had worked about as much as I possibly could have on my romantic relationship and, by this time, had given up hope of ever repairing it. I knew that I was done with that portion of my life. This is where prayer really started to take hold and become a powerful force in helping to move me into a new existence. No, God didn't hit me with a lightning bolt and zap me into a house with a picket fence. I did the work. God helped by giving me the backing once I made the initial effort.
During a talk with my mother one day I told her how lonely I was in the situation I was currently living in. That I needed to get out but the way wasn't clear for me yet. I felt unloved and desperately needed a companion who outwardly cared for me. I wanted prince charming to come and carry me away, leaving no doubts that I had done the right thing.
She smiled and let me in on a very powerful and functional way of "asking" for help. The old quote "Be careful what you ask for because you just might get it" is very true. One must be very careful what they ask for and how they ask for it. I could have asked for a man to come in and pick me up off my feet but that wasn't what I needed. Think of the complications that would have caused. I was, after all, still living with a boyfriend though all real communication and caring had disappeared on both ends quite a while before. She said to simply send out the message "Thank you for a loving partner" to God constantly. "To you it shouldn't matter if it's a dog" she said, "Allow God to decide what you really need right now". This was the best advice I have ever received and I have used this many times and on many different situations. Always with the same results. God provides exactly what is needed... not what I think is needed.
A couple months later I was out walking in my trailer park neighborhood and met a male friend who I hadn't seen in years. The chances of this happening were slim to none. Who would have thought?
As soon as I saw him I knew that this was what I had been asking for. All doubts about my direction were instantly gone. I needed to start living again.
A few weeks later I got out of that trailer and into my own apartment, leaving that sad existence in my wake. I began to see this man on a friendly basis first but now I'm happy to say that we are married and living in the mountains (another result of "asking").
Don't get me wrong. One should not only use this practice for their own needs. I simply used this experience as an example because it was such a powerful turning point in my life. This practice should be used every day for everything from the supply of food (even if you are perfectly able to purchase food) to thanking God for helping another person by sending love, light, comfort, and guidance into their life. It should always be generalized so that God may decide what is needed.
We all work hard to achieve our goals whether spiritual, material, or physical but we must never take anything for granted. Be thankful always for what has come to pass, what is now coming into being, and what will be for this is a true and consistent communication with God. Do it at home, at work, at school, or where ever you may be. It only takes a moment to say thank you and the results will change your life for the better. Live Prayer. And when you get a moment to yourself, especially in a quiet place with no interruptions don't forget to listen also for your source of guidance may be found in a quiet moment alone with God.
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| Alice Dunlap | 01/16/00 |
