Waves Winter 2004 Newsletter

...I knew that God had placed them there as warring angels...who believed in God and loved him enough
to give their lives to his service. -- The Awakening Heart by Betty J. Eadie, p. 88


March, 2005	W.A.V.E.S. Newsletter	Spring Edition

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When We Pray

by John Garcia

The recent spiritual awakening of millions of souls along with the rapid advancement of technology have ironically helped to create a society today that openly requests people to pray for one another. This is ironic because for decades science and technology were considered to be separate from religion and spirituality, yet today technology has given us the power to bring people from all over the world together in prayer. This has given us the opportunity to make prayer a more powerful presence in our lives.

There was a time not too long ago when it seemed the majority of people didn’t talk openly about prayer, and usually prayer requests were made only to close family members or friends from church. However, today it is common for people to send emails asking for prayers along with a request to forward the prayer to others. Of course there are also many websites you can go to and request prayers such as www.embracedbythelight.com.

It was also not too long ago that the power of prayer wasn’t as widely accepted as it is today. Many in the healthcare and science fields downplayed prayer as wishful thinking, and it is somewhat amusing that God used those fields to help prayer become more openly acceptable. Science and healthcare have performed various studies and experiments that have proven that prayer works and is a powerful source of healing.

One of the more well known experiments was in the early 1980s, when patients in the San Francisco General Hospital Coronary Care Unit participated in a study to assess the therapeutic effects of intercessory prayer. The patients who were prayed for by the prayer participants didn’t know they were being prayed for nor did their doctors, and they ended up being significantly healthier than those who were not prayed for by the prayer participants. Other studies have been done since that time and have also proven the power of prayer.

Although the way prayer works is a mystery to many of us, how to pray is also a mystery for many people. If your parents didn’t teach you as a child or you didn’t grow up going to church you may not be quite sure how to pray. Some people may have learned as children but stopped praying for awhile and now aren’t sure how to pray as adults. Others may only know certain prayers such as the Our Father or Hail Mary. I believe there are many people who really want to pray but aren’t quite sure how to pray, so they may feel a little awkward praying. Whether you pray on a regular basis and feel very comfortable praying, or are someone who is not quite sure how to pray, I believe there are a few things you can do to help you pray effectively.

First, simply go to a quiet place and then try to quiet your mind from all the thoughts that seem to constantly fill our minds in our fast paced lives. Taking a walk in the park or going into nature may help you do this, or going to a place in your home may be more practical. Regardless, try to go somewhere quiet. If you have trouble quieting your mind, try visualizing a peaceful place like the ocean or the mountains, or simply concentrate on your breathing.

Once you have calmed your mind and spirit and feel relaxed, it is time to converse with God. Think specifically of what you want to pray about, and then talk to God either in your mind or aloud, depending on which way you feel more comfortable. Remember, it is the desire coming from your heart that is the most important aspect of your prayer. As Betty says in The Ripple Effect,

"It is our desires, not the wording or form we use, that provides the energy that makes our prayers effective. Without a desire to connect with God, our prayers become hollow and meaningless. But with true desire, our prayers not only ascend to heaven, but they nurture us as well."

Lastly, if you find yourself feeling you don’t have the time to pray on a regular basis or just have difficulty making it a habit, you can learn to pray throughout the day wherever you may be. Simply say little prayers throughout the day, and communicate with God as you would with a parent or friend. You may eventually find yourself moving toward a constant state of prayer where you are always connected to God as well as praying for others, and you are also making the right decisions for yourself on a daily basis.

As with anything, learning how to pray requires practice, but eventually you will develop your own style of prayer and feel comfortable. If you already feel comfortable praying, simply pray on a regular basis and you will stay connected to God through prayer. This will please God, and in turn He will happily answer your prayers and continually bless your life.

Warring Angel Volunteers on Earth, (WAVES) is acknowledged as a trademark of Betty J. Eadie