Ann

You are reading from the book The Language of Letting Go

Prayer

As a matter of fact, prayer is the only real action in the full sense of the word, because prayer is the only thing that changes one's character. A change in character, or a change in soul, is a real change.
--Emmet Fox, The Sermon on the Mount

Erica Jong has said that we are spiritual beings who are human. Praying and meditating are ways we take care of our spirit. Prayer and meditation are disciplines suggested by the Eleventh Step of Twelve Step recovery programs: Al Anon, CoDa, Adult Children of Alcoholics, and others.

Prayer and meditation are not necessarily connected to organized religion. Prayer and meditation are ways to improve our personal relationship with a Higher Power to benefit our life, our growth, and us. Praying is how we connect with God. We don't pray because we have to; we pray because we want to. It is how we link our soul to our Source.

We're learning to take care of our emotions, our mind, and our physical needs. We're learning to change our behaviors. But we're also learning to take care of our spirit, our soul, because that is where all true change begins.

Each time we talk to God, we are transformed. Each time we connect with our Higher Power, we are heard, touched, and changed for the best.

Today, I will practice prayer and meditation. Whether I feel desperate, uneasy, or peaceful, I will make the effort to connect with my Higher Power, at least for a moment today.

From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie ©1990, Hazelden Foundation.

Ann

I find prayer helps me all through the day. I like to begin my day with a prayer asking to be led, and end my day saying "Thank You", but often I will say little prayers all through the day, especially when I need help or need to feel connected.

Melody Beattie once wrote "Pray for anything you want, God will sort out the junk". I always liked that because it lets me talk to God like an old friend, it lets me talk freely without having to decide if it is a proper prayer or not.

God hears from me often but I know He always has time.

Hugs

grateful2b

I like that, Ann... I tend to babble away at God, throughout my day, feels more natural and right to me than a particular time or way of doing it...hugs

winnie12

I'm like grateful - its little dialog all day - somedays its the only thing that gets me through. When things were at their worst, I remember waking up with such dread and saying "i cant do it today please do it for me." those were some of the most peaceful days.