And here the ladder ends. I know by reading through this first section on Prayer again, it has refined and reconfirmed my own thoughts on prayer. As we see in this first paragraph – prayer is a way to true humility. When I thought about that idea, a way to true humility, it came to my mind that when I am praying as an entreaty or begging God, I am being arrogant. I am arrogant because I have forgotten Who I am and Who created me. Although we have the reassurance that Holy Spirit will always meet us where we are and assist us up the ladder until we recognize that gratitude is all we need.
In my belief in separation from God, I was arrogant for I did not know Him and I thought I was all alone in the world and had to make do. Yet with this new-found strength in Jesus’ way to pray, I am relieved, that’s the first word that comes to mind as I write this. I am relieved. Relieved that I am not alone, that I struggle for nothing and no thing, even no one. It raises me up into love, abundance, peace, and all those that I sought when I hid the intention in the world. It was never about anything in the world, it was for me what was behind it. Be it a relationship, money, love and appreciation, I know it will never be found in the world or received from the world. I have all the love and appreciation and peace and happiness inside of me. I have health. I have companions. I have God.
And Jesus tells us that we only go together to God. We go in truth. We go hand in hand. We go as One. That is the true recognition when I can see beyond all the bodies, all the personalities, all the flaws and only see Christ. As he instructs us: I cannot go without you, for you are a part of me.
As I recognize the Christ in others and see it in myself. So many times repeated, yet each time it is I become fastened in that truth. I am One. I am.
Namaste,
Rev. Deb
Join us for our email study of The Song of Prayer on our Healing Circle as we open to living in Prayer, Forgiveness and Healing – http://groups.google.com/d/forum/miraclesone-healingcircle
Our Healing Circle meditation each month is for just this. Our meditation recordings are listed here: https://miraclesone.org/2015/07/healing-circle-meditations/
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V. The Ladder Ends
S-1.V.1. Prayer is a way to true humility. 2 And here again it rises slowly up, and grows in strength and love and holiness. 3 Let it but leave the ground where it begins to rise to God, and true humility will come at last to grace the mind that thought it was alone and stood against the world. 4 Humility brings peace because it does not claim that you must rule the universe, nor judge all things as you would have them be. 5 All little gods it gladly lays aside, not in resentment, but in honesty and recognition that they do not serve.
S-1.V.2. Illusions and humility have goals so far apart they cannot coexist, nor share a dwelling place where they can meet. 2 Where one has come the other disappears. 3 The truly humble have no goal but God because they need no idols, and defense no longer serves a purpose. 4 Enemies are useless now, because humility does not oppose. 5 It does not hide in shame because it is content with what it is, knowing creation is the Will of God. 6 Its selflessness is Self, and this it sees in every meeting, where it gladly joins with every Son of God, whose purity it recognizes that it shares with him.
S-1.V.3. Now prayer is lifted from the world of things, of bodies, and of gods of every kind, and you can rest in holiness at last. 2 Humility has come to teach you how to understand your glory as God’s Son, and recognize the arrogance of sin. 3 A dream has veiled the face of Christ from you. 4 Now can you look upon His sinlessness. 5 High has the ladder risen. 6 You have come almost to Heaven. 7 There is little more to learn before the journey is complete. 8 Now can you say to everyone who comes to join in prayer with you:
9 I cannot go without you, for you are a part of me.
10 And so he is in truth. 11 Now can you pray only for what you truly share with him. 12 For you have understood he never left, and you, who seemed alone, are one with him.
S-1.V.4. The ladder ends with this, for learning is no longer needed. 2 Now you stand before the gate of Heaven, and your brother stands beside you there. 3 The lawns are deep and still, for here the place appointed for the time when you should come has waited long for you. 4 Here will time end forever. 5 At this gate eternity itself will join with you. 6 Prayer has become what it was meant to be, for you have recognized the Christ in you.
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