Does Praying Do Any Good?
Last week one of our newsletter readers
sent us a question about prayer. She wondered if praying does any
good at all. Or is it just an exercise in frustration and futility?
Here's our reader's letter:
"Hi John and Chief Joseph,
"Thank you for the years of support and truth.
"I would like to know about the purpose of prayer. I have
prayed for people and thought that this would keep them protected
and secure in the physical, and yet they still get hurt and leave
the physical unexpectedly. I know we all leave eventually, but I
thought we could pray to protect others from harsh experiences.
"Can you answer this question? What is the role of prayer?
Does prayer have an impact on others?
"I remember when John wished he could see the beautiful
mountain scenery on a recent drive. He simply wished
it and then a cloud appeared and blocked the sun so that he could
view the scenery while he was driving.
"I thought prayer worked like this for protecting and
healing others. Please enlighten me.
"Thanks,
"Paula"
Here's Chief Joseph.
Chief Joseph
Friends, prayer can be a most powerful force for healing and for
creating the lives you long for -- for yourselves and your loved
ones.
We wish to address two issues today in regard to prayer.
First, as you might expect, is the attitude of the one
doing the praying.
If you are the pray-er, what do you feel as you pray,
whether it be for yourselves or others?
In many cases, you're simply beseeching, begging "the
Almighty" (whatever that is to you) to grant your wishes.
You're often coming from a place of fear and lack. You don't really
believe your prayers will be answered.
So, instead of praying and at the same time hoping against hope
and envisioning the worst outcome, envision the best
outcome. See it, believe it, expect it. Then it will
happen. Though not necessarily in the form you want. But in absolutely
the best form for the highest and best good of all concerned.
Our second point today is one you've heard us talk about often
over the years:
You cannot create in the reality of others. You can influence
them, love them. But you cannot create their experience for
them. It's impossible.
Let's take a specific example here. Say you have a loved one
who's dying of some dis-ease or other. You certainly don't want to
see them in pain and suffering. Nor do you want to see them die.
But let's say they do die. Have your prayers been a failure? No,
not at all!
You have sent them love and light. You have helped them heal.
Whatever the outcome of their current experience, your prayers
have had a powerful effect upon them. It's not up to you to decide,
or to even know, what is best for another.
Their experience of severe and even painful life-threatening
health challenges may be exactly what they need at the
moment.
Their death, even, can be exactly what they need at that moment.
Death can be a healing. In fact, it's always a healing
because, at the moment of death, you are releasing all your worldly
cares and emerging back into the state of perfect oneness with your
higher selves.
Death is not the end of you. It is only a new beginning. So if
through your prayers you have helped a loved one move on, you have
not failed. (Even though death is not what you wanted for them.)
You have succeeded because you have helped them make their
transition more easily and effortlessly.
Your prayers are never in vain. All is well.
=============================================================
This
Week's
Newsletter Reflection Questions
News Updates
1) Tuning In,
a brand-new spiritual
movie featuring some of today's prominent channels and their spirit
guides, including Chief Joseph and me, has been released.
It's now available to the
public. Get
more information and order your copy here. Watch the trailer
(short video preview) here.
2) We're now doing regular
podcasts with Chief Joseph.
This
article was originally published here
Give
us your opinion of this article
More
of our articles
Email
John |
Our home page
Want
a private talk with Chief Joseph?
