When you conclude your prayer, let go of it. Give it to God. Then live in the trust and belief that God has lovingly, wisely and perfectly helped the one for whom you are praying. Live in thankfulness and confidence throughout the day that God is moving and manifesting in a new way in the life of that person.
When you have several people to pray for, it is best to pray for each one individually — and release each prayer — before proceeding to the next person or situation.
TROUBLESHOOTING
These are the main errors which so often make prayer ineffective. Please bear these in mind and review them from time to time.
- Praying while distracted.
- Praying without your mind on God.
- Wishing, daydreaming or fantasizing rather than sincerely and directly sharing your heart and mind with God.
- Telling God what to do.
- Conditional prayer. (If you do this, I’ll do that.)
- Vengeful prayer — asking God to hurt others. God loves those other people too.
- Challenging and testing prayer — asking God to prove His presence, care or ability.
- Imposing your will and opinions rather than seeking the Higher Will, Wisdom and Love.
- Praying with anger toward God. (An exception is heartfelt sharing of deep grief or painful loss.)
- Superstitious prayer. (This brings psychic and astral effects which are often delusional.)
- Selfish prayer.
- Begging prayers.
- Countless requests.
- Disappointed prayer.
- Praying thinking that God doesn’t care about you or know anything about you.
- Praying thinking that God doesn’t want you to have abundance and happiness.
- Praying for an unfair advantage over others.
- Praying that God will be partial to your wants and plans over those of others.
- Praying thinking that God is uninformed, that He needs your advice and superior wisdom.
- Praying thinking that God must be impressed or overwhelmed by you before He will take action.
Prayer is spiritual communion, sharing your heart and mind with God’s heart and mind.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Here’s how Jesus taught us to pray. You may enjoy studying and praying this often. Needless to say, it will help you immensely.
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory are Yours forever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer contains universal principles and mystical realizations which will help you to attune with Spirit whenever you pray. As you thoughtfully reflect and meditate on each of these sections, your prayer life will noticeably become richer and more potent. This prayer can be well stated in less than one minute. It can also be meaningfully offered, phrase by phrase, slowly and contemplatively, over an hour or two. When you can pray with a devoted heart and undivided mind you will likely witness many wonders within and around you.
Our Father,
I am conscious of my relationship with You.
Who art in Heaven,
You are the eternal, omnipotent reality.
Hallowed be Thy name.
Holy is Your Nature. In You is Wholeness.
Thy kingdom come,
May what You wish for us come to pass.
Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.
In the world, in me, in my body, mind and life.
Give us this day our daily bread.
I recognize that You provide all my needs.
I don’t worry about tomorrow.
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
As I need forgiveness, help me, bless me, to forgive those who trespass against me.
Lead us not into temptation,
May I not yield to temptations but make loving, wise choices.
but deliver us from evil.
May my mind, heart and life not be separated from loving awareness of You.
For the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory are Yours forever.
Amen.
So it is!
