When I attended SWIHA over a decade ago I was introduced to a world of religion, spirituality and many forms of prayer that I didn’t even know existed and developed a deep respect for all of them.
If I was asked ten years ago what my sense of what union with God or ultimate reality or the Divine is, my answer would be much different than it is today. I have always believed in God, dragged to church as a child, and then as an adult found comfort in that space. There were times in my life, the very dark times, when just sitting in church or going to light a candle, I would find myself in tears with an overwhelming feeling of unconditional love. Some people already grow up with such a connection to themselves and their belief systems, but my belief is that for people like me, there must be some sort of trauma or awakening that happens before you realize the union with Spirit and the union with self, we all have. Once you have that awakening life is never the same. You see life from a different perspective and everything changes. Life has new meaning, and your life seems to have more purpose. You realize that what you have heard over and over to be true, and that is, we are spiritual beings having a physical human experience rather than physical human beings having a spiritual experience.
I know that, for me, once that awakening happened and my spiritual journey began, my soul was touched, and I felt the Divine everywhere. Divine timing, Divine interaction, Divine protection, I was suddenly aware that I was being guided and I was being protected and help and guidance was always available I just had to ask for it. There was a connection that is hard to explain and was a different feeling that I had while sitting in church as a child. I could hear it, see it, touch it and developed a trust and faith in it. I finally understood that we are all one and connected. Life suddenly lost that lonely feeling of wandering around a planet with no purpose. I realized the higher purpose and that purpose is we are here to help guide people to their own awakening. The sense of that union blesses us with more patience, more compassion and a strength that makes us feel like we can do anything. We shine our light brightly awaiting the day that we return home.
The sense of that union with God and with each other also erased the fear of death. I found that very comforting since I have been dealing with death and losing close loved ones since the age of nine. Reincarnation suddenly made sense, and the pieces all fit together. We don’t die, we move on. Material things of the physical world don’t hold as much value, but you realize that we need this physical world to learn and grow. We can feel that middle place between Heaven and earth. We know that there is so much more out there than the eyes can see. It is such a beautiful, comforting feeling to know that. Once awake we have a deep love connection to spirit and to self. It is a love that is everlasting and a realization that so are we. Looking back, I could never imagine being pulled into such a dark place, but I always say that faith and prayer is what helped me through. When you believe in a force outside of yourself you always look up and ask for help, you can ask for guidance, you can be grateful, and you learn to quiet your mind and listen. You listen for guidance.
Prayer comes in many forms and can be done anywhere. When I was younger church on Sunday was where we went to pray, and I still have a deep love and connection with church. The difference now is that I no longer need church to pray or to feel closer with God. I pray and practice gratitude every day, so I now feel closer to God, the Universe and the spirit world more than I ever did while growing up. My way of prayer and worship now may not be for everyone, but it works for me and has gotten me through some very dark times in my life. Crucifix, rosary beads, candles are all items I was already familiar with to show reverence, but when you weren’t raised with a structured religion, then mala beads, incense, essential oils, Angel oracle cards, anything that speaks to you can also be used to set those same intentions and help you to form a relationship with God, the Divine, the Universe, whatever name you have for it. Utilize whatever makes you feel comfortable. Some people aren’t comfortable going to church but find that same sense of unconditional love just sitting and meditating at the beach or at the park. When you sit alone with yourself and practice self- love and gratitude you are coming from a very good place and can find so much comfort and healing with that. We may all worship and go about prayer differently, but the main goal is always the same. Healing. Love. Love for self and love for each other.
Structured religion has many prayers that are used depending on your religion, but if you just need to feel connected you may use the prayers below, that I have written, or just journal and see what comes up and write your own.
In love and light,
Fran
Prayer for Healing
Dear God, please take my pain
Help me to move forward in my life with confidence and grace
Knowing that everything that happens to me is happening for me
Give me the strength to see the lessons I have learned
Knowing that I must detach in love while leaving the rest behind
I look to the future with faith and acceptance of the plan you have set for me
I am grateful for all that I am and all the potential I have to be.
Amen
Affirmative Prayer
There is one Universe, and the loving Spirit is generous with all its resources
I trust and understand that I am one with the Divine and worthy of these resources
I see and feel the power of these gifts all around me
I allow Spirit to give to me in overflowing abundance
I accept these gifts knowing that they will help me on my path
I promise to utilize these gifts by living my life with the Highest Intentions set for myself and for everyone in my life.
I have faith that financial success will continue, and my life will exceed what I can imagine.
I am grateful for the peace, love, joy and stability brought into my life
Amen
Prayer for Thanks
Thank you for everything I have
Thank you for everything I am
Thank you for everything I can do
Thank you for giving me the strength and confidence to live my life
Always making a difference.
Amen
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