| Have you ever really thought about prayer - what it is, | | | | your life have been thwarted, or unsuccessful thus far, |
| or why and how it might work? Most people don't; | | | | it is probably easier to cling to a dogma you were |
| they simply live their lives with the same simple | | | | given by others than it is to ponder the mysteries of |
| understanding they were given as children: "Prayer is | | | | the mind as taught by Jesus and other great spiritual |
| when you talk to God." The biggest problem with that | | | | leaders who have always told us, "Man often |
| is the limited understanding of a child. Children don't | | | | becomes what he believes himself to be." It is easier |
| consider that "talking" is a way of converting our | | | | to memorize stories and follow rules than it is to |
| thoughts into vibrations in order to share those | | | | accept personal responsibility for your own life and the |
| thoughts with others; nor do they truly understand the | | | | thoughts that create it. It is easier because the world is |
| concept of a God that is "All things." Consequently, | | | | full of people willing to tell you what to think, what to |
| most children grow up to be adults with childlike | | | | believe, what to say and what to do. But it is also |
| understanding and unfulfilled lives - simply because | | | | more difficult - more painful and unfulfilling. Thoughts |
| they don't understand the most basic principle of life: | | | | are things; and you are responsible for yours and the |
| "As you think, so it is done to you." Prayer isn't a | | | | things they create. All wise people know this. All |
| religious thing, it is thought; and the way you think will | | | | religions teach this. This wisdom, in fact, predates |
| determine the life you live - no matter what religion you | | | | religion and has always been taught by the wisest |
| subscribe to. | | | | among us. |
| I once had a conversation about prayer with a very | | | | If you want to keep believing that, in order to have |
| religious young man who, after a great deal of | | | | your prayers (thoughts/desires) "heard" and answered, |
| discussion about the mind and the power of our | | | | you must believe certain stories or have a personal |
| thoughts, asked to me, "But you do believe your | | | | relationship with a specific entity, then do that. Likewise, |
| prayers are answered because of your personal | | | | if you want to believe that, even if you meet the |
| relationship with Jesus Christ, don't you?" I grew up in a | | | | above criteria, there's no guarantee that your prayer |
| Christian household, going to Christian churches; and I | | | | will be answered, and if it is, there's no guarantee that |
| understand the importance of a "personal relationship | | | | the answer will be, "Yes," then by all means do that. |
| with Jesus Christ" to the Christian church and those | | | | But, if you're doing all of this because you are a |
| who are invested in it. But the complete lack of | | | | Christian, consider that Jesus was a Jew and He was |
| conscious thought and understanding in that way of | | | | speaking to and teaching Jews and Gentiles alike the |
| thinking never hit me as strongly as it did that day. At | | | | same wisdom that had been taught in their holy texts |
| first I thought, "Have you not heard anything I said?" | | | | for thousands of years before anyone could have had |
| and then I realized that most devoutly religious people | | | | a "personal relationship with Jesus Christ." Prayer |
| are relying on their memory of the things they have | | | | works because it is thought. Good thoughts are seeds |
| been told before - at home and in religious settings - | | | | for good fruits; which is why Jesus said things such as, |
| by people they trusted and believed (or were afraid | | | | "Fear not; be of good cheer," "Judge not," "Do unto |
| not to believe). | | | | others...," and "As you thinketh, so it is done to you." |
| My answer to this man's question is something that all | | | | Consider these things. Then, consider your constant |
| Christians should consider. Believe what you wish to | | | | mind set and the life that it has created. Finally, if you |
| believe; but don't let your beliefs blind you to the truth | | | | want to change your life, simply change your mind and |
| of who you are. Christians aren't the only people who | | | | the thoughts you entertain. |
| pray. Prayer was not invented by Christians; nor was it | | | | If these words have upset you, angered you, or |
| invented by the Church or any religion or religious | | | | caused you fear or consternation, just remember that |
| establishment. Prayer takes many forms - even inside | | | | Jesus had the same effect on most of the people he |
| a Christian church. If God is Omnipresent (All things and | | | | shared this wisdom with; they already had a religion |
| all places), where exactly are you directing your words | | | | and religious beliefs they lived by, and these words |
| or thoughts? If God is Omniscient (All knowing), why | | | | were shockingly different from the interpretations they |
| vainly repeat the same rituals - or continue to state the | | | | had been taught their entire lives by their own religious |
| obvious? Jesus taught, "As a man thinketh, so it is | | | | leaders. In fact, the very people Jesus was trying to |
| done to him," and, "It is done to you according to your | | | | help and enlighten sought to harm him many of the |
| beliefs." If you don't believe the words He said, you will | | | | times He spoke these words. Further, it was this |
| only get what the world around you gives you. | | | | "clarification" of ancient holy teachings that caused the |
| Unfortunately, we have been led to believe that, | | | | church leaders to have Jesus put to death. Then |
| "Believe in me," means, "Believe the stories others tell | | | | consider that Truth always goes through 3-stages: |
| about me," rather than, "Believe the things I say and the | | | | Ridicule; Violent opposition; and, finally, Acceptance. |
| stories I tell about YOU." Jesus said, "You will do these | | | | Judgment, fear, anger and violence are always signs |
| things and much greater," and, "All things are possible | | | | that the truth has not yet been realized and accepted. |
| to he who believes." Do you really believe this? | | | | Think about it; then take charge of your life by |
| Obviously, if your efforts to create or find happiness in | | | | accepting responsibility for your thoughts. |