Ask: What do you have to say about prayer?

         “I’m wondering what you would say about the topic of prayer…It would seem that it is always the ego that is praying for “more”, “better”, etc. But to Whom is the ego praying, is it heard, is it answered, or is it a waste of time since “all is written”? If all is in the mind, is it one part of a mind praying to another part of the same mind, or a dream praying to the mind that is dreaming it, or… ?” —PW

If prayer is supplication, it is always ego that prays, as only ego experiences lack. To what exactly it prays depends on the particular ego, I suppose! Perhaps ego prays to a god in its own image which it projects but that does not exist, which would be the dream praying to the dreamer as ego is both dreamer and dream. Or, in true despair, it may be a cry to God (Reality beyond consciousness). Since “the script is written”, praying could never be the cause of bringing something about. This is why it seems only some prayers are answered. When prayers seem to be answered, it is either coincidence, or because the one praying was in touch with what was going to unfold anyway. For example, someone “hits bottom” and their prayer for help and the subsequent help that seems to come from Spirit is “what is written.” What actually occurs in that instance is ego recedes and Spirit moves forward in consciousness, and it appears as a positive turnaround for the person.

A Course in Miracles has a supplement called The Song of Prayer. It redefines prayer as an ongoing communication between Spirit in a mind (individual consciousness) and God. Spirit within a mind is God’s Extension, so It is always in touch with God. The supplement describes a “ladder of prayer”, which is the appearance of an evolution of prayer from supplication (ego) to an awareness of Spirit’s ongoing communion with God.

I have found that many students of the Course who come from a tradition of prayer have a hard time letting it go as they get much comfort from it. If Spirit is moving forward in their consciousness, prayer will appear to evolve over time to communion from supplication.

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If you have a question the answer to which you feel may be helpful to others, send it to Liz@acimmentor.com and indicate that you want it answered in this newsletter/blog.

Comments

Anonymous said…
PW, Remove yourself from the ego side of the split mind (dream)in the Holy Instant. It is the only place the Holy Spirit is. Doing this is the only function we have.
6:28 PM
Anonymous said…
In the beginning it will only be for seconds at a time. It will quickly increase in time with practice (mind training). The full experience of the Holy Instant comes after enlightenment.
6:36 PM
Anonymous said…
PW, T-15.IV
10:18 PM
Anonymous said…
Remember, the script was written by the egoic split mind.
9:53 AM
Anonymous said…
"Our concern is with Christ vision. This we can attain." Lesson 158

If you take "the script is written" to mean everything is pre ordained so there is no point in doing anything you have given the ego power over God. We are living out a ego script and our belief in it will indeed keep us trapped in a false world.
10:28 AM
Anonymous said…
Lesson 158

No one ever seems to read beyond the fourth paragraph, "the script is written." Those four words are cherished by the ego. It can sweep in and make spirituality (or lack of it) into whatever it wants. A few paragraphs further on, this phrase is put into context with the revelation that the Christ Mind is there to learn.
4:21 AM
will said…
Lesson 158 II

In the last few paragraphs it talks about seeing our brothers as sinless and so we see our selves. You can't do this if you believe in the script as written. It is ego. Jesus would have us step outside the script into the NOW, the Holy Instant, and give these instants to the Holy Spirit to extend to our brothers. In return miracles come to us when we work with the Holy Spirit. The more we do this, the more we step outside the 'script'.
6:10 AM
will said…
When we are in the NOW, the present we have stepped out of time a place the ego cannot go. Prayer is our giving these Holy Instant to the Holy Spirit to extend. To save the world. Remember that?
6:41 AM
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