-by Rev. Dr. Toni
In a lecture given in London nearly eighty years ago, Dr Annie Besant spoke of a ‘wave of mysticism passing over the world’. Such a wave seems to be apparent today, as so many people express a hunger, an inner yearning, for a genuine spiritual experience.
Not satisfied with the answers which either science or religion has to offer, many have sought out teachers, gurus, psychics of varying degrees of reliability, anyone who seems to promise fulfillment of an inner need.
At the same time, science today seems to be pointing beyond itself or at least beyond its materialistic boundaries to what we might call a ‘metascience’ which admits the possibility that consciousness may be primary. And even in many more traditional religions, there has been a re-awakening to the esoteric wisdom hidden within the outer forms, esoteric wisdom which by its very nature participates in the mystical.
The philosopher of religion, Hans Jonas, has suggested that there exists a historical sequence of development that leads from objectification, as he calls it, to interiorization.
He refers specifically to the movement throughout the centuries from religious knowledge or theory to religions of experience. This sequential development from the theoretical to the practical is not only a development from generation to generation, but is something that must occur within each person.
The New Thought movement was represented this year at the World Parliament of Churches — it’s the only Truly AMERICAN religion. What makes it so American? It is a mystical religion that is very pragmatic –
I believe the heart of it is the ability to make a difference in our lives…This is to say that our ideas, our beliefs, all that constitutes our basic world-view must become known experience in such a manner as to bring about a radical change in our lives. We have moved from accepting everything on Faith to have an experience of Faith – Holmes saying UNLESS we are demonstrating we have no right to call ourselves RELIGIOUS SCIENTISTS – or in our case People of New Thought.
Basically, what I’m talking about is that the World’s view of God and Religious experience has undergone a shift over the centuries and each of us in our own experience, seems to go through similar shifts.
Our theme this month is on the power of prayer. Today our topic is on Affirmative Prayer – and rather than teach you the steps of Prayer or the how-to or even the why to – But the very way we pray tells us a great deal about how we view God and whether or not Religion is something we believe in or something we experience. Where are we on the continuum?
There’s a story that I think somewhat subtly says this:
There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked, and he had to choose between them.
One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains were all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace. The other picture had mountains too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell, and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all. But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush, a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest in perfect peace.
Which picture do you think won the prize? The King chose the second picture. Do you know why? “Because” explained the King, “peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace.
What PICTURE do you have of God? You can tell this by the way you pray…Examine our prayer today —
- When you pray for things to be perfect, looking only for the calm mts, sky, and lake — annoyed at yourselves because you get sick or because you let something happen that you wish wouldn’t are subtly saying that God is — that God is the FIXER and something is wrong with you
Someone who is going to punish you for every mistake you make
- When you pray even the prayer – THY will be done… notice First if you’re saying that only when things aren’t going your way –It’s up to us when it is good – and up to God the rest of the time?
We’ve talked in the past a lot about this one – basically when we pray we are surrendering to God – which is another way of surrendering to our Highest Good – but that Good isn’t something predetermined by someone else. WE get to choose what we experience ––everything we say is really our way of AFFIRMING what it is we INTEND to experience. There is no outside agenda that we have to fit into… We are the makers of our own destiny. Most of us just don’t want to choose… We hide behind “but if only I KNEW what it was that I was supposed to do” – as if someone or something outside ourselves would tell us… We need to be still and then to ACT on our impulses…and TRUST our impulses.
Many of us are afraid to commit to what we want thinking that someone outside ourselves will hold us to it – We make it up — so WE can change it! Too many people even use Affirmative Prayer vaguely –I want PEACE – well, what does YOUR picture of peace look like???
- Or – do you tell God the way things should be-
We get a little fancier in New Thought – we call it outlining… This is what I want – but this is HOW you are to deliver it!We need to
be clear on the WHAT and let that which is larger than we determine the HOW – Have you ever noticed when your prayers are answered that they are always much more than you ever asked for even though the packaging may look different?
- When you think the ills of the world are acts of God
You Pray for example for nice weather – EMMETT FOX _- “What we call nature and climate, and the weather is really the out-picturing of the thoughts and feelings of humanity upon it…
The reason the North Pole is cold, and the equator is warm is because the whole world thinks that way.”
What we believe is the nature of God, we experience.
Affirmative prayer is the prayer that acknowledges the nature of God – and acknowledges that That Nature is Our nature…and then, of course, our experience changes – Life FLOWS – things work – because it the nature of God is Love, is Order, is Peace, is Abundance, is Harmony, etc.
- That God has it all planned out and we are just the puppets- a variation on Thy will be done…
I can’t do anything about it…
Karma – without correction;
Astrology – or personality types – or numerology
that DESTINES you or how about your GENETIC makeup?
Some things we accept as IS – and don’t even begin to pray for…
A subtle way of believing that God can do some things but not others — is there anything in your life that is bothering you, but you haven’t been praying about?
What are the things we believe God can’t do anything about — Lawsuit; God can prosper a business but not give health; I do not think there is any one of us who is not limiting God in some respect because we all suffer limitation in some way..
- PLEASE HELP ME God – to pass a test; to find a job; to get through a rough time.
I know some of you have heard this one – but it bears repeating:
So far today, God, I’ve done all right. I haven’t gossiped, haven’t lost my temper, haven’t been greedy, or grumpy, nasty or self-centered. I’m really glad about that. But in a few minutes, God, I’m going to get out of bed, and then I’m going to need a lot of help. Thank You.
Remember: God can only do FOR us what it can do THROUGH us.
We want to have more money – we either have to SAVE more; Spend less or earn more… It’s not magic.If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading. Lao Tse
If we want HEALTH, we need to do the things that foster health. If we want to GET more of ANYTHING, we have to be GIVING more. Whatever we think we want, we have to BECOME first. It’s not HAVE, DO, BE but BE, DO, HAVE…
Mary Morrisey quotes this week: “We can go to God with everything on our minds. But once we pour out our souls, then it is time to listen while asking: How can I see this differently? What can I do? I know many people who worry forever about finances or relationships and never do anything differently about how they handle them. Remember, God can only do for us what God can do through us. Practice not only asking for your life to be different; be willing to BE different.
Asking for magic – praying for something and DOING nothing… What are you willing to give? To do?
I pray and pray and nothing happens.
Prayer is meant to change us, not God…
Who would you have to be BEING to have whatever it is you think you want in your life?
We can only have that which is ours by right of consciousness. Even if you won a million dollars, you wouldn’t keep it..Or if you left a $100 bill in the middle of Grand Central Station and came back 3 days later.
- Some of us believe that certain people have an IN with God – we go to ministers, or certain friends to pray for us…because we think that person has more influence with God…WEDDING — no power vested in me either by my Church or by the State – by the power of Love that has brought you here together… In that power, you BECOME husband and wife.
Come to Church expecting to hear the ANSWERS…
IF YOU ARE NOT INVOLVED in MINISTRY –you think the answers are in the front of the Church.
Parents sometimes try to play God for their children
Ministers sometimes play God for their congregations (not this one ;-))
I AM the Lord thy God – I AM is the name of God – Beware of anyone who sets him or herself up as a TEACHER –or who tells you they have YOUR answer.
So, what am I saying today? Prayer is not directing my thoughts outward to change circumstances – it is directing myself INWARD to understand the TRUTH of who I am…. And then Claiming and Accepting all the inheritance that is mine.
Scripture tells us — It is the Father’s Good Pleasure to Give you the Kingdom. The only question that remains is ARE YOU READY TO RECEIVE??