The Art of Prayer

The key to the art of prayer is thought. As we think so we pray.

The highest level of prayer is to think God’s thoughts after Him, to attune our lives to love, hope, faith, justice, kindness; to become open channels for the goodness of God.

Prayer is quiet mediation about eternal values. It is the mind adventuring in the universe. Prayer moves with the instantaneous speed of thought, through infinite space, to the four corners of the earth, to the depth of the human heart, to the mountaintop of aspiration…

Prayer is a cup held high to be filled. It is an inward quest for inspiration. It is mentally reaching out for the great thoughts and illuminations of man in his continual search for meaning.

Prayer does not change God, it changes us. It increases insight and intuitive perceptions, and expands consciousness. It transforms personality.

Prayer opens doors to let in God and let out self, to; let in love and let out hate, to let in faith and let out fear.

Prayer helps us to find ourselves. By praying not to get more, but to be more, we discover a way to serve, a purpose for which to live, a dream to make real.

Prayer brings God into our relationships with our fellow men. We gain a wider awareness of the needs of others and a wiser knowledge of how to respond.

Prayer helps us to find the way, just as a hunter lost in the woods climbs a tall tree to get his bearings.

Prayer is thinking and thanking. It is thinking of our many blessings and accepting them with a thankful spirit.

Prayer works in the mind as a healing force. It calms the patient, enlightens the physician, guides the surgeon, and it often victoriously applies the power of the spirit when all seems lost. It proves, over and over again, the truth of Tennyson’s words: “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.”

Prayer puts us on God’s side. It aligns us with life’s highest purposes, aims and ideals.

Prayer is power always available. In “The Practice of the Presence of God,” Brother Lawrence said that even amidst the clatter of pots and pans in the monastery kitchen, “I possess God in as a great a tranquility as when on my knees.”

Prayer is dedicating our thought, feeling, and action to the expression of goodness. It is to become like a window through with the light of God shines.