Trying to pray...

[majestyjo]

December 12

Quote of the Week

“Trying to pray is the same thing as praying.”

I didn’t pray or meditate much before I got sober. If I did pray, it was either to keep me from getting into trouble, or to get me out of the trouble my selfish or self-seeking behavior got me into. As far as meditation went, my mind was way too busy for that. Besides, I had parties to go to. As my life spun out of control, I had very little tools to help me deal with the emptiness and desperation I felt most of the time. Finally, alone and afraid, I reached the bottom of my life, and that’s when I finally surrendered.

When I began attending meetings, I heard a lot about prayer and meditation. I thought I was screwed because I didn’t know how to do either one. My sponsor was very patient with me and told me to just start by talking to God. When I told him how angry I was with Him for letting my life get so bad, he encouraged me to tell God about it. He told me that God could handle anything I might say to Him. So I did. I yelled and cursed and told God off. When I sheepishly told my sponsor some of the things I had been telling God, he smiled and said, “At least you’re finally talking to Him.” And that’s when I began to get better.

Today I know that God doesn’t care how you talk to Him, only that you are talking to Him. My awkward attempts at prayer counted, too, because at least I was praying. And each time I tried to meditate – for a minute or fifteen minutes – I still felt better because finally I was meditating. Today I know that any effort I make to connect with God is rewarded because God is always there, always listening.

​​​​​​​Today I know that trying to pray is the same thing as praying

This affirms something that I strongly believe in, "A thought is a prayer."  A word said or thought, it doesn't matter what form it takes or how it is said, it goes out into the Universe.  I just have to be careful of my stinking thinking, because what I put out, comes back to me.

[caressa222]

Have had people say to me, "I tried to pray, but I didn't know what to say." Many like written prayers, but personally, I like ones that come from the heart. A few bungling words asking for help has more power than one that is read from a book and written by someone else. I am not saying it is bad, just that for me, a simple prayer is heard just as much as a formal prayer.

As they say, the shortest prayer is "Help!" That works for me.

[caressa222]

Thought is a prayer. What you put out is returned to you. I try to send out good thoughts.