Prayer is a connection. To others. To something greater. To better feelings. To hope and possibilities. To peace. To how to live life.

 

Prayer is an amazing tool that honors some power beyond what we understand and comprehend, but you know it works.

 

Prayer brings a great sense of confidence that miracles can happen. It brings hope and possibilities.

 

Prayer brings a sense of peace, a knowing that someone greater than yourself can do what you can’t do.

 

Prayer allows you to have complete faith in something.

I know most people use prayer as 911 when someone is ill or in trouble. As an emergency call.

 

But there’s more.

 

Let your faith be active, not only rote prayers or in times of emergency.

 

Prayer as 411 can be a greater partner than only as 911.

 

In the olden days, we dialled 411 to ask for information. The operator would help give us the numbers we needed.

 

You have been given a direct line to God. Connecting with God as your Source of answers and direction whenever.

 

Connections are one of our basic needs. Life just feels better when you are connected.

 

Use prayer as 411. It can be an opportunity to talk with God (Universe) all the time.

 

You were given an emotional guidance system (EGS) that is with you all day, every day. Be quiet and listen for what’s next or what you need.

 

It takes practice to trust and believe you will be guided.

 

Rather than seeking answers from outside, go within and seek this guidance. You might have been like me, living out the saying, “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.” I thought I had to do everything myself. But, I am loving the peace and joy I feel when I let go and allow my Inner Being to guide me, to be my partner.

 

So much better.

 

The saying, “Ask and it shall be given” is the other side of prayer. It is trusting and believing that your prayers are answered with your Highest and Greatest good in mind.

 

Following your guidance system is understanding how to allow and receive the benefits coming from prayer and this connection. Being able to receive the goodness God has for your life. For instance, think about how you respond when someone tells you that you look pretty or brings you a gift thanking you for your kindness or help. Do you accept it and thank them? Or, do you have to “discount” the gestures?

 

Pay attention to how you are receiving all that is given to you.

 

I know for me, receiving has been hard. I love to give, but it’s not comfortable receiving whether someone offers to buy my lunch or shares something I’ve done to help them.

 

Allowing is just as hard for me. I think I know how things should be. So I add resistance because of my thinking I have the answers or know how.

 

Why do I pray if I don’t trust I will be taken care of?

 

I thought I had to plan every step and have it all figured out, instead of trusting and knowing there is a Greater Good involved in my prayers.

 

How can you develop a working relationship with God?

 

To me, that is meditating.

Beginning my day with my spiritual rituals.

Having affirmations and mantras all around to remind me to connect.

Being an instrument for love, peace and joy with reminders of what I can do.

 

Like the Prayer of Assisi:

Lord make me an instrument of your peace

Where there is hatred let me sow love

Where there is injury, pardon

Where there is doubt, faith

Where there is despair, hope

Where there is darkness, light

And where there is sadness, joy

O divine master grant that I may

not so much seek to be consoled as to console

to be understood as to understand

to be loved as to love

For it is in giving that we receive

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned

And it’s in dying that we are born to eternal life

Amen

 

Praying and being of service.

Listening to my EGS and where it takes me.  

Paying attention to what is being shown to me, instead of trying to make things happen my way.

 

As Emmet Fox says, “The story of your life is really the story of the relations between yourself and God.”

 

Begin this week to build the best relationship you can to have Prayer as 411 and beyond 911.

 

For instance, add little things like this:

In the Oklahoman, Saturday, August 11th, there was an article “Pictures a Thousand Words.” Life. Church launched a new app, Bible Lens. Bobby Gruenewald says, “Your camera roll is a reflection of what we do, who we are and where we go.” This new app shows you a scripture based on your picture. It’s pretty neat. I had a picture of 4 of our grandsons at the birthday party of our granddaughter. The scripture that was added basically says to spend time talking with your kids whether walking together or at dinner.

 

I’m not the bible person but I love simple messages like this to connect more as well as living a life of your Highest Good.

 

Share with me how you live a life of prayer at dottie@dottiehager.com.