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THE AWESOME POWER OF PRAYER

How To Pray At The Highest Level

 

 It is said in A Course In Miracles,

 

“Prayer is the greatest gift with which God blessed His Son at his creation.” (Song of Prayer 1.Prayer Intro 1:1)

 

            So, prayer is the greatest gift given to us by God, but do we truly understand what it means to pray? How do we exercise “the greatest gift” with which God has blessed us with?

As with nearly everything in A Course In Miracles, I have found that prayer too, is not what I thought it was.

In short, prayer is literally a song our soul is constantly singing to God, and what that tune is, depends entirely on our choosing. In its purest form it becomes a melody of love our heart sings in union with God.

The Course states that prayer is,

 

“The single voice Creator and creation share; the song the Son sings to the Father, Who returns the thanks it offers Him unto the Son.” (S.1.Prayer Intro 1:2)

 

And the Course further states what we should use prayer to express,

 

“To you who are in time a little while, prayer takes the form that best will suit your need. You have but one. What God created one must recognize its oneness, and rejoice that what illusions seemed to separate is one forever in the Mind of God.” (S.1.Prayer Intro 2:1-3)

 

And so it is, we are encouraged to learn here in the world of time and separation, how to use prayer to regain our sense of Oneness and completion in God and each other.

Given all the atrocities in the world at large, as well as all the frustrations we face on a personal, daily basis, feeling “at One” with all these relationships seems to be a tall order.

Even the Course acknowledges that moving from the idea of separation to Union is a process not completed in a single step. The Course states that there is a “ladder of prayer” we must all climb in order to arrive at the full understanding of our God-given power of prayer and the resulting healing and Union it brings. Once at the top of this “ladder of prayer,” we are called to use our prayers to their full potential to heal the world and ourselves. For such is our true purpose here.

So, if we want to have the greatest good, the highest possible outcome to all things with the maximum abundance, joy, and peace in our lives, then we begin by realizing the truth about prayer.

The Course states,

 

“Prayer is a way offered by the Holy Spirit to reach God. It is not merely a question or an entreaty. It cannot succeed until you realize that it asks for nothing.” (S.1.Prayer I.1:1-2)

“It is impossible to pray for idols and hope to reach God. True prayer must avoid the pitfall of asking to entreat.” (S.1.Prayer I.2.1:5-6)

 

Prayer then, is our communication link, through the Holy Spirit, with God. Not just a means for asking for things in our lives to be different. We must let go of the idea it is used to ask for things of this world, even though the world is where we are experiencing our suffering. The temptation is great to ask to be released from it, or to have our suffering removed by some change in our outer circumstances.

We must learn to bypass this temptation, for what we “ask” for then, is merely an echo of Heaven and not a real prayer at all.

The Course states,

 

“The secret of true prayer is to forget the things you think you need.”

(S.1.Prayer I.4:1)

 

This seems harsh, in that when times become dire and we feel desperate, now our only lifeline has been cut; it appears that we are being told to stifle our desire to call out to God for help. I for one, have prayed this way untold times throughout my life.

The Course is now teaching us how to bypass this step by redirecting us.

We are to funnel our feelings of desperation in a new direction.

The Course says this about what to do when we feel desperate and in need of some form of divine intervention:

 

“…In prayer you overlook your specific needs as you see them, and let them go into God’s Hands. There they become your gifts to Him, for they tell Him that you would have no gods before Him; no love but His.” (S.1.Prayer I.4:3-4)

 

            In short, we are to simply give all our feelings of need over to God and forget about them. Then refocus on what we really want; to know the Love of God. For in that, are all things satisfied and God is placed above all else in our heart. By doing this, we are only asking for our greatest good.

            The Course goes on to say:

 

            “Prayer is a stepping aside; a letting go, a quiet time of listening and loving. It should not be confused with supplication of any kind, because it is a way of remembering your holiness (or wholeness).” (S.1.Prayer I.5.1-2)

            “This is not a level of prayer that everyone can attain as yet.” (S.1.Prayer I.6:1)

 

            And so, the Course gives us steps we must climb, which it calls “the ladder of prayer.” We want to climb this ladder in order to attain the truest form of prayer so that we can achieve the experience of maximal benefit of goodness and love God is offering to us.

The Course states this about the process of climbing the ladder,

 

“…It does change in form, and grow with learning until it reaches its formless state, and fuses into total communication with God.” (S.1.Prayer II.1:3)

 

Here then, are the levels of the ladder of prayer:

 

            Level 1: This is the lowest form of prayer. It is the base feeling of desperate wanting or asking-out-of-need, which involves feelings of weakness, inadequacy, and fear. We may not even be aware such feelings are prayers at this level. Even so, our feelings are always projecting out into the world, extending our desire to the Field of All Possibilities whether we believe in God or not.

Another aspect of this level of prayer is but a slightly higher form of asking-out-of-need, and this is the idea that we are still asking for things of this world but are doing it out of the idea of goodness and belief in God. These are more conscious prayers, being used to try to “fix” some aspect of our situation. Yet, it is still an entreaty of some variation, no matter how well intended, even if what is asked for is immaterial, such as for gifts such as integrity, honesty, goodness, and forgiveness. At this level, you may even desire to pray for your “enemies.”

Yet, what is One can have no enemies, wants, or needs. You cannot move higher on the ladder of prayer until this is understood.

 

Level 2: Praying for others, as a way of seeing another as joined with you in holy Union with God. Here the Course states,

 

“Until the second level at least begins, one cannot share in prayer. For until that point, each one must ask for different things. But once the need to hold the other as an enemy has been questioned, and the reason for doing so has been recognized if only for an instant, it becomes possible to join in prayer.” (S.1.Prayer IV.1:1-3)

            “The key to rising further still in prayer lies in this simple thought; this change of mind:

We go together, you and I.” (S.1.Prayer IV.1:7-8)

 

            Here is the acknowledgement that all people and living things are part of our One Self. We all go together because we are each part of the same Whole. This may be a difficult step for some as we tend to hold our “enemies” dear. Our minds savor the wrongdoings and conflict with others, recounting their misdeeds often.

Until such thinking is given over to the Hands of God – and given up entirely – we will remain at level one of our prayer-ladder.

The Course states this about level 2,

 

“The next ascent begins with this:

 

What I have asked for, for my brother is not what I would have. Thus have I made of him my enemy.”(S.1.Prayer III.3:4-6)

 

            Here we acknowledge that we are seeing another incorrectly and are praying to see them through the eyes of Christ, or as God sees them in Perfection, Love and Union with us. Once we reach this level of understanding we can proceed to the final level on the ladder of prayer.

           

            Level 3: Here is the highest level attained. Once you have understood you can have no enemies, because you are One with All That Is, and you cannot pray for things of this world, because as a part of God’s Oneness, you already have and are Everything, you have no needs beyond this single realization. Both levels of the lower form of prayer are thus bypassed when you realize we are each a part of the Son of God, and we Who are part of Him, need never feel anything less than the Perfection that we are.

            Once this level is reached, the Course states,

 

            “The things of earth are left behind, all unremembered. There is no asking, for there is no lack. Identity in Christ is fully recognized as set forever, beyond all change and incorruptible.” (S.1.Prayer II.7:3-5)

 

            “Now, without needs of any kind, and clad forever in the pure sinlessness that is the gift of God to you, His Son, prayer can again become what it was meant to be. For now it rises as a song of thanks to your Creator, sung without words, or thoughts, or vain desires, unneedful now of anything at all.” (S.1.Prayer II.7:7-8)

 

            What are we so thankful for? That we exist. We are thankful to be a conscious part of All That Is and desire to offer our love and gratitude to our Creator for our creation.

            Such lofty feelings may seem impossible to reach while here in this world of physicality and apparent suffering. But all it takes is a small shift in perception; a little willingness to look away from the world for but an instant; and we can move our heart into something higher. We can shift into a feeling the Course is teaching at every turn of the page: Forgiveness.

            The Course states,

 

            “Forgiveness offers wings to prayer, to make its rising easy and its progress swift.” (S.2.Forgiveness Intro.1:1)

 

            Let us not forget that “To forgive, is to overlook.” (T.IV.1:2) We are to overlook the separation we see in this world and know that it is not the truth of our existence as beings, who are part of One Holy God. We can enter a state of forgiveness by praying for others in the highest form of prayer; by praying that we can set them free of how we see them now. It is a prayer that we become able to see our Oneness and not the body.

            According to the Course, at this level,

 

            “High has the ladder risen. You have come almost to Heaven. There is little more to learn before the journey is complete. Now can you say to everyone who comes to join in prayer with you:

 

I cannot go without you, for you are a part of me.

 

            And so he is in truth. Now can you pray only for what you truly share with him. For you have understood he never left, and you, who seemed alone, are one with him.

            The ladder ends with this, for learning is no longer needed. Now you stand before the gate of Heaven, and your brother stands beside you there.” (S.1.Prayer V.3:5-12)

 

            To summarize, our ladder of prayer has but 3 rungs on it, and can be concisely stated in this way:

 

1. Praying for the things of this world. This may or may not include things for yourself alone or others, whom you pray for out of your good, but misguided intensions.

 

2. Praying for others. This form of prayer recognizes you have no enemies. You are praying to see all others as they are in true relationship with you as One Self. You recognize that all people are part of your One Self, and it is this Self you would reunite with, in your mind.

 

3. Communion with God. Your soul now sings a song of joyousness in holy beingness with God and All Creation. You are no longer in conflict with any aspect of creation. You are healed, whole and One.

            The Course sums it up this way,

 

            “You first forgive, then pray, and you are healed.” (S.3.Healing IV.4:1)

 

            “You have understood that you forgive and pray but for yourself. And in this understanding you are healed. In prayer you have united with your Source, and understood that you have never left. This level cannot be attained until there is no hatred in your heart, and no desire to attack the Son of God.” (S.3.Healing IV.4:3-6)

 

            And in conclusion, we are reminded of the basic thing we must do, to properly align our hearts with God in prayer,

 

            “Give all your dreams to Christ and let Him be your Guide to healing, leading you in prayer beyond the sorry reaches of the world.” (S.3.Healing IV.6:6)

 

            And so it is, that through prayer we can let go of the things we think we need and want here in this world and choose instead to set our tune on a higher, more harmonious note. We can look beyond the world through forgiveness and sing a song of praise and thanksgiving unto our Father; He Who sets all things within His peace and Love, bringing All That Is, into alignment with His holy Word – that we are One.

            With this song of gratitude upon our heart, we ask only for our highest good, the best outcome to all things and that the truth of Who We Are reign supreme above all else. And that we may come to know and understand all of these mysteries so that we may be of the greatest service unto each other and our Creator.

 

And what a glorious song it is, as choirs of angels join you in your song of praise and thanksgiving unto God.

 Beth Geer is the author of "Awakening To One Love," a compilation of inner conversations with the Holy Spirit, as well as "Awakening Humanity: Our Place Among Extraterrestrials and Angels," and "The Light Has Come! Divinely Guided Chapter Summaries from “A Course In Miracles.” YOU CAN FIND THESE AND MORE HERE: www.bethgeer.com

This work is funded entirely by donations alone. Though not expected, if you feel guided to make a love offering, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION. Thank you for your support!