Gratitude
As Prayer
by
Sonia Choquette
One of
the most powerful ways to pray is to practice gratitude.
Gratitude affects our consciousness the way windshield
wipers affect a windshield in a blizzard. It clears away
confusion and helps us see the world more clearly.
Practicing
gratitude as a form of prayer is very easy and is
immediately rewarding. All you need to do is acknowledge
and thank the Universe for all your blessings, whether
they are good health, family, friends, or simply being
alive.
I
personally keep a gratitude journal. As a family we keep
a gratitude bulletin board in the kitchen on which we
post photos of happy experiences and appreciative
acknowledgments for the things we have received. It's
amazing to realize just how much we all have to be
grateful for -- once we begin to notice.
Practicing
gratitude instantly lightens the heart and helps us
remember how much we are loved and supported by the
Universe. Whenever my children or I are restless,
irritable, anxious, bored, uneasy, or fearful, I suggest
we think of as many things as possible to be grateful
for to change the energy. We list our blessings one at a
time, trying to name at least ten things. Every time we
do this our fear subsides and our hearts and intuition
open.
Practicing
gratitude keeps a child's awareness focused on the
abundance, support, and love that the Universe has for
him. It focuses his heart and awareness on receiving all
that is available to him and reminds him to remain in a
state of receptivity and peace.
Prayers
as unique as each person
These
are only some ways to pray. You may have an entirely
different way. All ways to pray are valid.
-
Some
people chant their prayer.
-
Some
pray on beads or rosaries.
-
Some
say prayers silently.
-
Others
pray in groups.
-
Some
sing their prayers.
-
Some
have an ongoing dialogue with God.
-
Some
meditate on prayer.
Your
prayer style is very personal, and all styles are valid.
Use whatever approach and tradition you prefer in asking
for divine help, and know that Divine Spirit, God, is
love and that the Universe loves you completely and
unconditionally, as you are, faults and all. Whether
praying by yourself or with your child, realize that the
Universe wants to help, would love to help. But first
you must ask.
The
great teacher Jesus Christ taught the importance of
prayer when he was questioned about miracles. "Of
myself I do nothing," he said. "It is my
Father in Heaven who works through me." Or as the
saying goes, "If God is with you, then who can be
against you? After all, there is no power greater than
God."
The most
powerful prayers are those prayed with the full
awareness of being a beloved child of God. Prayers
prayed with a deep sense that the Universe wants to help
you, guide you, support you, delight you, and love you
unconditionally are the prayers most quickly and satisfactorily
answered. Prayers prayed with others who share this
knowledge are yet even more powerful. Create
a time when you can pray as a family. This can be at
dinnertime or bedtime or after family meeting time. It
is also important to encourage your family to ask each
other to pray with and for them whenever they are
feeling upset or concerned or need a little extra help.
As Jesus said, "Whenever two or more are gathered
in my name, I will be there also."  This article was excerpted with permission from
the book "The
Wise Child" by Sonia Choquette, ?1999, published by Three Rivers Press, a
division of Crown Publishers, NYC, NY 10022.
Info/Order this book
About The
Author
 SONIA
CHOQUETTE Ph.D. is the author of The
Psychic Pathway and Your
Heart's Desire. She lives in Chicago with her husband and two
children. She can be reached through her website www.soniachoquette.com
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