Prayer is for us

October 4, 2019 | 24 comments

I was listening to readings at church on prayer and was struck by the truth that prayers are not for God. They’re for us!

If faced with a problem, God is not in need. God is not troubled, worried or anxious. God is omnipresent good, predictable order, the creator and maintainer of all health, life, supply and love. God is never in trouble. God’s universe is in perfect working order, and as offspring of Spirit, we are in that universe, blessed, protected and forever safe.

God doesn’t need to know anything more than He already knows to maintain the harmonious rhythm of all things, for you, one and all.

When faced with trouble, it’s not God that is coming up short. It’s the point of view entertained that is lacking. The purpose of prayer is to drop the limited view and let God’s reality take over.

As thought wakes to reality, the limited view vanishes, the trouble goes away and healing happens.

So, next time you go to pray, it’s okay to ask God for all right things, but remember, you already have them! As Jesus said, “…your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matt. 6:8, RSV). You can rest assured, that God has already answered your prayer. The need, or opportunity, is for thought to change and see what God has put in place. It’s present to bless you now.

Prayer heals. But prayer is more than words or a request for help. It’s a shift in perspective—our perspective!

“Prayer cannot change the Science of being, but it tends to bring us into harmony with it” Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health, p. 2.

24 thoughts on “Prayer is for us”

  1. So true. Thank you for clearly reminding us -“The purpose of prayer is to drop the limited view and let God’s reality take over.” Much appreciate this post.

  2. I never used to think about prayer in that way till I was Reader at church…then I decided to announce before Lord’s Prayer time, by saying “Let’s now unite together in silent prayer in support of this service and one another, and then say the Lord’s Prayer together”. I don’t know if anyone else liked it but it focussed my thought on the fact that church is for US, not God (“as if He needed any thing”) and as you say , the prayer is for the service and those who are attending it.
    I like the sentence that says prayer is “a shift in perspective”..that’s good!!!

    1. The way you expressed that when you were reader was great. I wish the church I attend would spend more than what feels like 20 or 30 seconds in silent prayer. I no more get my thought settled to really pray, than it’s over. The brevity of it makes it feel perfunctory and I think it misses the point.

  3. Hello dear Evan and group. This reminded me of the pool of Bethesda, in Jerusalem, near the door of the sheep. Why? I always associated the five porches with the five senses. And to pray, it is precisely to close those five porches, to close ourselves to the material world and to enter into communion with God, to thank God, to recognize his spiritual universe, to know that everything is harmony, that all is well, that we are his reflection. Excellent weekend for everyone. Thank you.

  4. Ty, Evan, always. Spiritual perspective…& Gustavo the idea of the 5 porches & shutting out the belief in the 5 senses…prayer is listening to God not us telling She/Him…thanks to all that share…much gratitude

  5. Great Spiritview Evan! Thank you! Love this, “Prayer heals. But prayer is more than words or a request for help. It’s a shift in perspective—our perspective!
    “Prayer cannot change the Science of being, but it tends to bring us into harmony with it” Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health, p. 2.

  6. And I really like this too “When faced with trouble, it’s not God that is coming up short. It’s the point of view entertained that is lacking. The purpose of prayer is to drop the limited view and let God’s reality take over.
    As thought wakes to reality, the limited view vanishes, the trouble goes away and healing happens.”
    Really good Spiritview today! Thank you! Just what I needed! 🙂

  7. It takes practice to change our thinking. I have been having moments lately where thoughts that were always there but not looked at are being looked at, recognized for mortal mind, and replaced with the truth. sounds so routine but how many thoughts have we become accustomed to and think they cause us no trouble. No thought of mortal mind can be considered harmless. This has added to my work. thank you.

  8. Exactly what is needed today, a terrific reminder that God always has it all under control. Hold thought STEADFASTLY..☺

  9. Diane, I especially like what you said about praying,
    “Let’s now unite together in silent prayer in support of this service and one another, and then say the Lord’s Prayer together”.
    I have been able to distinguish the difference in the praying of the congregation when the reader states “we will now have the audible repitition of the Lord’s Prayer” in contrast to “let us pray together the Lord’s Prayer.” Just repeating isn’t the same to me, at least, as praying. I feel a sense more of reverence when we are praying together.

  10. Thank you again, Evan. Especially liked “When faced with trouble, it’s not God that is coming up short. It’s the point of view entertained that is lacking. The purpose of prayer is to drop the limited view and let God’s reality take over. As thought wakes to reality, the limited view vanishes, the trouble goes away and healing happens.”

  11. Thank you, so very much, dear Evan, for this utmost wonderful treatment, one can really say! It is so very much inspiring and healing and meeting our needs, so it does for me. So wonderful: God is not in need, rather we need His help. And so reassuring is the bible verse from Matthew 6:8, Evan mentions:”…your Father knows what you need before you ask him”. And “…we already have what we need”. How utmost comforting is that!
    I agree totally to Alan`s short but clear comment. Am also thankful that we can exchange our various interesting, helpful and inspiring thoughts to each SpiritView topic!

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