Sue Moon’s Blog

Having figured out that if I pray with emotion/spirit, the energy is better and not only do I get more out of it, but it seems to be heard a little more clearly perhaps. Just saying the words doesn’t do it for me, I have to be present and mean it.

So, of course, I received this piece below from Carolyn Myss’ Salon and wanted to share it with you.

All prayers work, for heaven’s sake. But let me just add a comment about the difference between saying a prayer and praying, akin to the difference between stretching and yoga. I am distinguishing the two to make this point: saying a prayer is often a quick-fix formula prayer in which a person repeats a familiar formulation, like the Hail Mary or the Buddhist prayer of loving kindness. That’s fine, mind you, but unless you use such prayers consciously as a form of meditation or mantra, such a practice does not alter one’s senses or provide a means through which you enter a deeper state of reflection. Entering into prayer, on the other hand, is the more embodied, conscious practice in which you withdraw your attention from distraction and merge fully into the grace of a higher truth. Let me give you an example of this, as I’m sure if I was in a classroom teaching this right now, hands would fly up asking me to explain further.

So, here’s an ordinary prayer, God, please protect me and family and tell me what to do with my life. Here’s entering into prayer: I remove myself from the distractions around me and withdraw into my interior castle, the dwelling place of my soul. Here, I am alone with God. All things are possible with God, there are no obstructions. I release all my doubts and let the grace of that truth consume me. Let nothing disturb the silence of my time with you. I feel the grace of God enter into me, healing all that disturbs my body, my soul, and my heart. I send this loving grace to those in need and I give thanks for their healing as well. May this grace surround and comfort them as it does me. I am always guided, I am always present to your voice in me, I am fearless.

To hold someone in prayer, to send them grace, is a profound commitment, an act of a true soul companion. To have someone pray for you is a gift of grace. If you say, I will pray for you, and you take this commitment casually, then it says this:

You don’t realize how powerful prayer is and, so, you should never make such a commitment to another person unless you mean it.
You don’t realize how powerful you are. You are a channel for grace. You are someone who has more to give another person than you can imagine, and praying for someone does more than can be measured. Just because you cannot see the effects of your efforts should never discount that your prayers may be the fuel that gets a person through the dark night of the soul.
Here is something to reflect on: Your ego prays for yourself and your own needs. Your soul is a vessel sculpted to pray for others. The soul already knows that in praying for others, one’s own needs are taken care of. Examine your own prayers: How many come from fear? How many are stuff-driven? Do you pray only in crisis? Is praying for others a part of your life or an exception?
I extend an invitation to all of you to consider making a commitment to joining this effort to spend just five minutes a day in prayer for those requesting help from us and for our nation and the rest of the world. Prayers and grace are so very powerful and if you have that to give, truly have that to give (think of the beams of light from heaven getting delivered to all these people in need of help), then please, please join us.
I thank you from my heart and soul, Carolyn.