The Information Channel Felist.Com -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unity Way January 22, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------ Prayer for Others by Andrei Yashurin Before praying for others, we need first to pray for ourselves and come to awareness of what we are. Seeing ourselves in the light of Truth, we will also see what others are. We will pray from such realization, and our prayers will be truly effective, because we won't be mislead by appearances. Some believers insist that we need to pray for others first, for this would indicate love and selfless care. But I dare to say that in many instances it is not so. There are those who pray for others because they know that they should. There are those who pray for others because they imitate prayers they've seen and heard. They made it a matter of habit. And, of course, there are those who are afraid of God's disapproval in case they won't pray. For certain people, prayer is a "spiritual" way to avoid doing something practical for others. It is easier to say, "I will pray for you", and even to utter some words, rather than to become actively involved in their life. "Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:18). Those people who only pray and never act, perhaps only delude themselves and don't want to admit that their love is withheld. Sincere and spontaneous act of help - without saying a single word to God - could be the best prayer. It flows from the abundance of heart, not from a desire to look "righteous in God's eyes". We mentioned that before praying for others we need to pray for ourselves. But it is important to understand that such prayers are not meant to make something of ourselves. Herein lies a mistake of many sincere men and women. Did you ever have a chance to overhear their requests? "God, make me more loving, more forgiving, more powerful". "God, give me this quality or that thing". Such petitions indicate the consciousness of lack, and according to the law of mind action, they create more lack for themselves. "For he who has, more shall be given to him; and he who has not, from him shall be taken even that which he has" (Mark 4:25). Let us pray in the different manner: "I am one with God, and therefore, I am one with God's love. I am one with God's wisdom. I am one with God's power. Let this realization transform my consciousness, and be expressed in my thoughts, actions, and prayers. Let all negative mental blocks and behavior patterns be removed, so that I would be all what I am meant to be in my relations with others". What will happen as we learn to perceive ourselves and others in the light of Truth? First, we will respect ourselves and believe in ourselves. Second, we will respect others and will believe in others. Then, others will recognize our changed attitude, even if we won't talk about it. "There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, and nothing hidden which shall not be known" (Matthew 10:26). Some people mistakenly hope that they may cover their real thoughts, feelings, and intentions, from others - but they are wrong. These things are always registered in our mental atmosphere and can be recognized by others, although unconsciously. This is why hypocrisy is such a vanity. It is sad to say, but there is much unbelief and disrespect involved in prayers for others. Some people assume that they perfectly know what is the best for others, that they have the authority to dictate how others should think, believe, and act. They are using prayer as a weapon against others, to break their will. Little do they know that these prayers - even if they are addressed to God - have nothing to do with God. They are psychic manipulations which are void of faith and void of love. Every attempt to manipulate another person speaks of unbelief and disrespect. (to be continued) ------------------------------------------------------ To be unsubscribed, click the link at the bottom of this message, do not write to the author. ------------------------------------------------------ http://unityway.net ~ Unity Way http://www.livejournal.com/users/unityman ~ Talks on Truth Blog Andrei Yashurin: yashurin@gmail.com If you like our list, please recommend it to others. All messages (c) 2006 by Andrei Yashurin -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: http://felist.com/member/unsub?grp=lit.unityway&email= http://felist.com/ mailto:ask@felist.com