PRACTICE
52 Weeks of Spiritual Practice
By Deborah Williams
Connecting
with God is why we are here; the soul’s desire. To be in communication with the
Creator is ideally the most fulfilling life, our best life. The 52 Principles
are a basis to an active partnership with God. The concept of the principle’s
potential inspires one to develop a disciplined Process to practice the
principle, which results in a unique experience with God: intention, desire,
and manifestation. This week’s Principle is Prayer, a spiritual process of
growth.
Separation
is a breakdown of communication. Develop
a partnership or “sonship” (Romans 8:19) with God by
talking, asking, believing and expecting.
A close connection with God includes prayer as a daily Process. Everything you think and say is a prayer. Prayers
are like seeds; know what you are planting and allow it to grow. Would you dig
up a seed to check if it is growing properly? Don’t kill it with doubt. Would
you expect to grow corn while planting cabbage? Have a clear idea of the
harvest, water the seed – see the end at the beginning. Knowing and expectation is like sunshine. Don’t doubt your prayers – affirm and expect.
Awareness
is on a continuum. Our level of
awareness connects us to pure awareness; the soul, which connects us to God.
Consider your prayer request in relation to your state of consciousness.
Awareness creates a higher level of prayer producing feelings of gratitude for
what is being received. A high level of awareness
is focused attention on a desired outcome. A low level of awareness prays for
help. Feelings of desperation and fear create adversity. For the thing which I greatly
feared is come upon me and that which I was afraid of is come unto me (Job
3:25). Monitor thoughts of fear, worry, and anxiety. Clear the fear
by affirming the good and sharing your concerns with the knowledge that all
things are possible with God (Mark 9:23). You must talk, ask, and believe, that
is prayer.
“Find
me where you want me to be”, Your will be done. Be alert, authentic and pray
what you feel, not what you think – God is concerned with the heart, not
intellect. The Master taught us how to construct a simplistic form of prayer
that includes recognition of God, requesting daily provisions, forgiveness, and
protection; in essence, seeking the Kingdom of God.
Pray
for self and others; pray for love; pray for the strength to live, your purpose,
to express your gifts; pray for the sick, homeless, jobless, addicted, pray for
peace, the grieving and lost, pray for family, and friends, Pray for the protection
of others. Job prayed
for his friends, and the Lord made Job successful again.
The Lord gave him twice as much as he had before.
(Job 42:10). What you give,
you get and above all, be thankful.
God
is all-knowing, all-powerful. God knows what you want, why pray for it? For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he
who keeps on seeking finds; and
to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened (Mathew 7:8). Ask
humbly.
Self-Assessment:
Are
you intimate or separated from God?
Can
you expect God to fulfill your desires and not know Him intimately?Do you know His promises?
Who are you?
Who is God?
Are you aware of your connection to God?
Do you pray from a state of gratitude or fear?
Who needs prayer?
Do you want God’s help and guidance?
Prayer Practices:
Our
relationship with God is private. How you experience God and your choice of a
spiritual practice is between you and God. What is your daily process of communication with
your Higher Power; God? Develop your own spiritual practice.
Peace and Many Blessings
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