"Silence, Prayer, Meditation and Contemplation blend into each other harmoniously." –Flower A. Newhouse

Finding Your True North

The Armor of Spiritual Life - Lesson 4

This lesson continues with the topic presented in Lesson 1, Prayer Is the Helmet of Our Spiritual Armor.

Rising in Reverence to a Realization of God's Welcoming

There is a certain peculiarity about prayer in this relation. We do not achieve answered prayers unless the soul within us speaks with some element of authority. We do not have that authority unless we are awakened, not to ourselves, nor to any of the glorious potentialities which are in man, but to God. When we are awakened to that which is perfect, complete, and enfolding, we can pray these prayers of request without begging and without desperation. With quiet confidence we take them into the Light where they can best be nurtured and acted upon.

When we pray for healing we are truly in attunement with the great, universal reservoir of healing which immediately sends into man’s aura and into the cells of his physical, emotional, mental, and causal bodies, as well as his spiritual awareness, all the qualifications of Light that are welcomed. We limit ourselves when we pray with incompleteness. When we pray for healing, if we could but see, instantly the very air about us, changes and into our aura comes a new stream of glorious blue light. As we maintain this holiness of contact, the streams of blue light cleanse the aura and absorb all the peculiar, dark whirlpools of depression. It changes and transmutes them not by throwing them out into a region where someone else might be troubled by them esoterically, but by lifting them until the darkness in the aura becomes light blue. Then we know healing. Therefore, even when we are very ill, even when it seems difficult for us to pray for ourselves, it is very vital that we do pray. True, someone more relaxed from the temporary pressure of illness can speak the word with greater power for us. But we have to do the best we can at such times through opening ourselves in order to merit the inflow of the healing power.

There are prayers for re-orientation, equilibrium, or balance. This is the type of intonement we make when we are confused, nervous, unhappy, or disturbed about something. We ask at such occasions to be aligned through the drawing power of the Light with that area of spiritual elements which is guiding man’s impulses towards equilibrium. According to the definiteness of our appeal, an attunement and localization of power will be realized.

These inner processes are similar to radio. If we want a certain radio station, we dial its wavelength. If we want a different station, we must set our dial at another number. Thus, in spiritual instructions we are given the privilege of knowing various techniques. By familiarizing ourselves with various prayer intonements we can achieve a variety of helpful affiliations with Spirit.

Prayer treatments, or daily prayers regarding specific problems, actually consist of our putting our own house in order. A purification of auric whirlpools of discontent and disorganization should be included.

Click to Listen to Flower speak about prayer treatments.

Record any insights that have come from using different forms of prayers (like the Prayers of Safety).

The Final Steps of Prayer

When we express our prayer of request, that is not the end of the science of prayer.

There is still an important step to be taken and to be enjoyed. That is the act of resolve. More people fail on that step than any other. Resolve determines that through this period we are to remind ourselves again of all the things that have been done, of the Presences and Energies which have been made active through our prayer. As we know this act or resolve, we call upon certain affirmations that remind us of what is being done, such as, "God worketh for him that waiteth for Him."

The demand of this fifth step is a certain degree of patience, peacefulness, and positive attitude on our part. For unless we have that and realize that, we neutralize our prayers and prevent them from achieving their fulfillment. The exercise of prayer is one of our glorious privileges. Seldom do we pray with sufficient definiteness. Few of us know the meaning of prayer or fully appreciate the opportunity that prayer offers. As we become more desirous of hastening and quickening our own evolution, we use the masterly approach to all life and to the very gifts of prayer as well.

After resolution, we come to a new step, and that is the step of constant rejoicing that this prayer of invocation, thanksgiving, or request through activity is now blessing those we love, or our own lives and circumstances. To be most effective our actions must harmonize with and match the spirit of our prayers. While our prayer seed is unfolding its own destiny, we shall practice peace-not trying to hasten nor trying to coerce the activity of Spirit. We recognize that our praying began a series of activities which shall result in a realization of beneficent events.

Add the final steps of prayer to your journal. 5. Act of Resolve 6. Constant Rejoicing

Take a moment to reread Flower's words to these steps so you have a better understanding of their intention.

Practice

P4 Find the card entitled Envisioning Your Prayers (P4). Practice this technique of clearly visualizing your needs during your prayers.

P9 and P10 If you would like to work on Prayers of Healing, find the cards under that name (P9 and P10). P9: Offers guidelines for Prayers of Healing. P10: Offers words of Flower to say during step 4 of your prayer work for healing.

God's strengthening to you!

Questions and Answers

Questions and answers with Flower A. Newhouse (excerpted from Here Are Your Answers, Volumes I, II and III)

Why do some persons who know the Truth have their prayers go unanswered?

Remember, knowledge of Truth is not mastery of Truth. Until mastery is attained, imperfect conditions are likely to appear as challenges to more perfect living. To answer your question directly, I would explain that this state could originate in one or more of the following causes: It might be the karmic consequence for previous selfish prayers or actions. 1. There are some whose consciences are troubled when they pray for themselves. This is a carry-over from some erroneous religious training. To ask for something while feeling that such a request is wrong, short-circuits our attunement. 2. Perhaps an individual seeks an attunement for which he is not ready in character or health. Answers to prayers come when we are ready to receive them. 3. Occasionally we find those of exceptional character who are skilled in asking help for others, but who are unaccustomed to asking for themselves. Their supplications will be answered as their training and practice in treating for themselves increases.