We are taking up the essence and qualities most important in prayer. First of all–you the prayer define what’s important each time you pray–or have moments of contemplation, stillness, divine connection and so forth… The reasons may vary from prayer to prayer. In New Thought spiritual practice and principle, there is a core belief in flexibility and being in tune with what is called for now that can best serve us as individuals and as members of society presently.

It is OK to rethink how we pray and connect with the holy Source within us and available everywhere present.

There is another word we can use for prayer, coinciding with the true essence and application of prayer–beatitude. Even if our communing with the highest within us does not start like a beatitude or benediction — prayer’s essence includes to bless, comfort, give thanks for the ever-present Grace of divine Spirit. A Beatitude is to feel blessed, peace, happiness, even ecstasy. Thinking of prayer as a benediction needs the balance of positivity and knowing the need and reason of prayer is primarily to claim and align with the divine understanding and also tangible acceptance what we merge with in prayer (the good that we seek) is already available and here. 

Convincingly, Jesus in the Gospels, time and again kept reiterating to the crowds and the disciples, “the Fields are Ripe for Harvesting.” It is our work and pleasure to believe and know we would not be seeking good if it was not seeking us and existing already. Let’s turn now to some movements of prayer’s process of blessedness.  

There are five essentials to prayer, keeping us focused on our intent of touching and tasting the divine nature and inheritance.  As with any spiritual heightened practice, prayer begins with Relaxation: relaxing from human controlling, doing, anxiousness, pressured energy. Relax from having to do anything but attune your attention inward and upward as if you were putting on the ease of wings. Breathe, walk mindfully  for a few minutes, calm if you have time. If not at least say, I release fear and any prominent negativity, relax and let go to turn and become one with divine light, love, and peace…this is the goal.

Then, we continue to guide consciousness, to steady and experience Concentration, with ease guiding our focus on single-mindedness and a focal point. Sometimes I say the Lord’s Prayer or a meaningful sacred phrase in the relaxation and concentration process of prayer. Luke 11: 1–4 is a short version of the Lord’s Prayer, NRSV. A sacred phrase could be something like–‘Your grace is my sufficiency,” “God and I are One, ” or “I Am that I Am.”

Next, affirmation or a sacred phrase can help us center and steady in prayer, helping us gain and achieve greater concentration and release from what binds us. We begin to narrow our scope of attention to a single purpose to know and taste of our spiritual essence and design.

Let’s have some brief centering moments–‘I am one with the One.’ That which I seek, I already am. I am in the midst of divine life and holy life is my experience and true nature. 

I continue to relax into the presence of pure love and thankfulness. Letting go of outer thoughts, distractions and noise, I breathe and follow the flow of breath. Continue in breathing until I feel myself coming into one whole and desire–to take on more of my Infinite God nature.

I rest in the stillness of the blessings of a single desire of wholeness of being…………………

I see my life as divine, my purpose as simple living in awareness of the wholeness of life living, breathing, giving, resting, loving, and contributing  to the whole of life, light and divine awareness.

I am so grateful for these renewing and deepening moments, Amen