When to pray?

Those who gain the most benefit from prayer do it daily. Those who pray daily usually do so at the same time each day. They find this helps them to get into the "prayer habit!" They look forward to the quiet time of prayer.

When they go to pray each day at the appointed time, they feel their body automatically relaxing, their minds becoming quieter, and their emotions becoming calmer. They notice their prayers taking them ever deeper into meditation... where guidance, insights, and knowingness come more easily.

Where to pray?

The power that comes from praying daily at the same time is increased by doing that prayer in the same place. Ideally, where you pray should be somewhere quiet, clean, and beautiful. Although many religions teach one to close their eyes during prayer, praying with eyes open in a lovely place can enhance the experience.

Sweet smelling incense and relaxing music can also add to the prayerful feeling. The most important thing about where to pray is that you can feel safe, comfortable, and undisturbed whilst praying.

How to pray?

Those who gain the most benefit from praying give it their full attention.

They keep their bodies relaxed and comfortable so that pain or discomfort cannot distract them. They keep their minds focused on the prayer they are using so that their attention is fixed on God/Goddess/AllThatIs. They allow peace and calmness to flow their emotions. When they give themselves over to prayer, they know the peace and perfection of God.

"The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools." (Confucius)

Prayer Effectiveness

"Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be turned into a burden." (Corrie Ten Boom)

Is prayer effective? That prayer has been around for all of recorded history is a clue.

* Scientific Findings: Science has studied the power of prayer with mixed results. Some studies "prove" that prayer power can accelerate human healing, animal recovery, and plant growth. Other studies "prove" that the effects of prayer are marginal at best and non-existent most of the time. Freed from the burden of worshipping the scientific method (with its ritual sacrifice of lab animals), I am of the knowingness that prayer really does work when done with an open mind and heart.

* Enduring Appeal: Prayer has been around for all of recorded history because each generation has found enough value in the routine practice of prayer to pass it on. All around the world, in every time period, in every society, in every religion or philosophy, prayers have been practiced. They even happen online!

* Enduring Power: If those who pray found no value in it, prayer would have died out long ago. It would have been like Phrenology (the study of "bumps" on the head as a predictor and cure of physical, mental, and emotional problems). If you have not heard of Phrenology it is because that "Science of Bumpology" was popular from the 1890s to the 1920s (when it was finally discredited).

* Miracle Sites: The ongoing popularity of miracle sites (like Lourdes, Fatima, etc) where prayers requesting healing miracles are routinely answered is another monument to its effectiveness. People pray to drop the karma afflicting them -and- if that is in their highest good... it will happen. Miracle sites will be happy to show you the scientifically-medically documented proof of their prayer healing miracles.

* Faith Healers: Faith healers work on the same principles as miracle sites by serving as vehicles for others who wish (and are eligible) to drop their karma. These healers also have documented proof of their healing.

* You are the Power: You are the power in your life, the creator of your health, wealth, and happiness. When you go to miracle sites, faith healers, traditional or alternative medical practitioners, all they do is help you to unleash the healing energy inside you. This is your birthright as Soul: to be, do, or have anything!

Prayer Fasting

"A sound mind in a sound body, is a short but full description of a happy state in this world. He that has these two, has little more to wish for; he that wants either of them, will be little the better for anything else." (John Locke)

Your body is the temple of your spirit! So would you intentionally harm your sacred temple? Do you believe that you are a divine creation of God? If so, why would you do anything except maintain yourself as you would holy ground? Yet religion has many practices which harm your divine physical vehicle.

* Fasting: This is a practice - when rightly understood - of intentionally starving one's body. Everyone knows that if you do not feed your body enough of the right things, you will make yourself sick. Some religions teach that starving the body will help you gain closer contact with God. Fast too often without feeding your body... and you will kill it and thereby destroy God's sacred temple in the process.

* Frozen Yoga: This is a practice - when rightly understood - of intentionally immobilizing one's whole body. Everyone knows that your body was meant to move and breathe freely. Some religions teach that keeping your body immobile, no matter how painful or how much damage is done to joints, muscles, and connective tissue is necessary to come closer to God. How ever it is hard to get closer to God when you cannot move because you have impaired yourself.

* Self-Mutilation: This is a practice - when rightly understood - of intentionally inflicting wounds on one's body. Everyone knows that it hurts when you stick metal spikes into your flesh, when you whip your back, and when you pull out all your hair. Some religions claim these are reminders of the suffering present in the world. Yet if there is already too much suffering... it does not seem logical to create more.

* Stigmata: This is a practice - when rightly understood - of intentionally opening wounds on the body in the same pattern as the "Holy Wounds" inflicted on Jesus Christ. These can be spontaneous openings on the hands/wrists, feet, and the side of the chest where Christ was nailed/tortured. The Christian religion claims that this is a sign of extreme devotion to Jesus. Yet if Christ really did die for their sins... it does not seem as if He would wish his followers to suffer in the same way.

* Trepanning: This is a practice - when rightly understood - of intentionally cutting a hole at the top of one's skull. Everyone knows that brain surgery is dangerous even when it is done with modern methods in state of the art facilities. Some religions claim trepanning will bring you closer to God. What they fail to mention is that you will get to God sooner because trepanning will cut a decade off your life.

Prayer Paradox

"Keep my feet on the path to do Thy Will as Thou wouldst have it done!" (Catholic Prayer)

Here are the most common prayer paradoxes... and the karmic solution to them.

* "Do lowly humans actually have the ability to be heard by an all knowing God?" Karma teaches that humans come to Earth to learn to become CoWorkers with God. So if God is your CoWorker, he will listen to you! Humans are not lowly and an all knowing God has an infinite capacity to respond to all of them.

* "If God is all-knowing, then God already knows what we are going to ask for, so why pray?" God is all knowing and humans were created in His/Her image. God allows us humans to decide for ourselves what it is that we want. Prayer is how we clarify our thinking about what we want to ask from God.

* "If God know the thoughts of all people, why is it necessary to pray at all?" Your thoughts are constantly changing. What you wanted yesterday may change tomorrow. What you want now may not be best for you karmically speaking. Unless you ask, you cannot receive. Until you knock, it cannot be opened to you.

* "If a person deserves the thing they pray for, why does God just not give it to him, even without prayer?" God gives us the resources we need to create the life we desire. We have come to Earth to learn how to manifest so that we can become a CoWorker with God. When we pray, we are just calling for help.

* "If a person is not deserving of it, then even if that person does pray and request it, should it be given just because of his prayer?" Worthiness and deservingness are value judgments made by humans. God wants you to have everything that you desire precisely because God loves you deeply.

* "If you are praying, then you are saying that you dissatisfied with the way things are and you are not trusting God's plan?" God's plan includes you. As a CoWorker, your input as to the unfoldment of that plan is crucial. If you are dissatisfied, this means you need to work more closely with God on this plan. Prayers help you work more closely with your helpful CoWorker, God.

Prayer Power

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is sadness, joy." (Francis)

Unconvinced of the power of prayer? Here are excellent reasons to pray!

"Ask and ye shall receive" is mainly how prayer can benefit you. In the inner worlds, just as in the physical world, it is hard to receive something unless you ask for it first. Here are some other benefits of prayer:

* Feeling of Security: When in prayer, most people feel less alone... it helps them to feel safe (when times are tough), to feel like someone cares (when no one else can help), and to feel comforted (when they feel let down by others). Those who pray know there is no problem that cannot be solved with the help of God.

* Increased Peace of Mind: Those who pray... know how to "let go and let God" help them to deal with life's challenges. They know that they are not alone and that a caring presence is by their side, silently working on their behalf. They can feel peaceful, secure in the knowledge that having asked, they will receive.

* Connection to Guidance: Those who pray... end up developing a deep connection to the source of their truth, to their Higher Self and their inner knowingness. This connection to inner guidance can help them in practical, outer ways: in decision making, in problem solving, and in dealing with difficult people.

* Greater Self Esteem: Those who pray... grow in self love, self esteem, and self confidence. They know that they only exist because God loves them. Knowing that God loves them, they know that they are worthy of love, respect, and kind treatment. God does not make junk... only masterpieces which improve over time.

* Becoming Unconditional Love: Those who pray... can directly experience unconditional love, the complete caring for the well-being of another without expectations or restrictions. They increase their capacity to love others and to experience more coming back to them. Fear fades as love grows in their hearts.

Prayerful Life

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing, give thanks!" (Bible: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Think prayer is great but you struggle to find time to pray? Here is how to fit it into your daily life.

* Bedtime Blessing: Before you fall asleep and after you wake up, take a few moments to say a prayer. Give thanks for the blessings of the past day. Give gratitude for the day to come and all the blessings it holds.

* Cleansing Completely: While you are bathing-showering and cleansing your body, take a few moments to cleanse your mind by praying. Ask to be cleansed of your sins and to do better in the same situation next time.

* Driveway Altar: As your car is warming up in the driveway, take a few moments to pray for safety and protection as you leave your home. Ask to be a vehicle of divine love as you move through the world.

* Stop Sign Shrine: If you are stopped in traffic, take a few moments to fill your mind with loving thoughts. Ask to be guided by the love of God as you go through your day... let your life become a shrine of love.

* Rising Upwards: As you take a trip in the elevator or as you climb stairs, take a few moments to breath slowly. Use all the time you are moving from one place to another to experience a deeper connection with God.

* Kiss the Earth: When people used to get off ships, they would kiss the Earth to give thanks for their safe arrival. Take a few moments each day to give thanks to the Earth for giving you such a great home and a terrific place to resolve karma.

* Smell the Flowers: Take a few moments to look around and give thanks for each and every gift of life that you have received. The attitude of gratitude is what draws the blessings of life and love ever closer to you.

* Prayerful Work: Offer your work as a prayerful gift to God. Take a few moments to ask for the grace to do it meaningfully with ease and grace. Remember that we all work for God and our job is learning to love more.

Credits: from channeled information.