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I found this quote by Ghandhi on prayer that really touched me.  I have highlighted some of my favourite parts.

Prayer is the very core of man’s life.

It is either petitional or, in its wider sense, is inward communication. In either case, the ultimate result is the same. Even when it is petitional, the petition should be for the cleansing and purification of the soul, for freeing it from the layers of ignorance and darkness that envelops it.

Prayer is no mere exercise of words or of the ears, it is no mere repetition of empty formula. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart. It must be in clear response to the spirit which hungers for it.

Prayer is the only means of bringing orderliness and peace and repose in our daily acts. Take care of the vital things and the other things will take care of themselves.

Begin your day with prayer. Make it so soulful that it may remain with you until the evening. Close the day with prayer so you may have a peaceful night free from dreams and nightmares. Do not worry about the forms of prayer. Let it be any form, it should be such as can put us into communion with the Divine. Only, whatever be the form, let not the spirit wander while the words of prayer run on out of your mouth.

A heartfelt prayer is not a recital with the lips. It is a yearning from within which expresses itself in every word, every act, nay, every thought of man. When an evil thought successfully assails him, he may know that he has offered but a lip service to prayer."


JR

HELLO JR...HOW ARE YOU....

FOOD FOR THOUGHT...ESPECIALLY THE LAST SENTENCE...WHEN A PERSON LETS AN EVIL THOUGHT ASSAIL HIM...THEN OUR PRAYERS ARE ONLY LIP SERVICE....

THATS SOMETHING GOOD TO BE MINDFUL OF...ALSO WHEN WE PRAY FOR STRENGTH AND THEN TO TAKE THAT STRENGTH GIVEN US AND USE IT TO DO SOMETHING UNLOVING OR HATEFUL.....I HAVE TO KEEP TELLING MYSELF TO DISMISS CERTAIN THOUGHTS SOMETIMES...AS I WANT THOSE PATHWAYS TO DIE OUT IN MY BRAIN....I'M TRYING TO DO AWAY WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW THOUGHTS..EVEN CONCERNING MY SON-INLAW FROM HELL...:giggle:

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF JR

SANDI

Hi, Jade Rose! It really is good to "see" you! I have thought of you often; and, somehow, I just knew that you were "doing just fine." I have always found your threads and your posts to be spiritual, upbuilding, and encouraging. I'm so glad we have you here with us.

your friend and brother, ... isomam

Hello Sandra and isomam, and thank you for your comments.
Sandra, it is a daily struggle for us to guard our thoughts, especially in the world we live in, and the things (and sometimes people) we are surrounded by.
Isomam, I have thought of you too, and have been lurking from time to time and reading your posts.
The last year and a half (has it really been that long?) has been a difficult one for me. The one thing that got me through the worst of it was prayer. It is a subject that is near and dear to my heart.

Teach Me to Pray

Please teach me, Lord ...
I want to know
Exactly how to pray.
I need some words
Which ones are right?
Please tell me what to say.
I've bowed my head
I have knelt down,
But ... should I be upright?
I've closed my eyes,
I've raised my hands,
Or ... should I fold them tight?

Do I stand up?
Should I sit down?
Dear Lord ... what do you like?
Are lights turned on Or are they off?
Maybe ... candle light?

Wear my glasses?
Take them off?
Be at my desk or table?
Should I whisper?
Speak out loud?
Do I quote the Bible?

What do you think
About the time?
Do You prefer the dawn?
Should I pray fast,
Or keep it slow?
Better short ... or long?

I'm new at this
What are the rules?
I want to do it right.
How do I know
You'll even hear
That I am in Your sight?

And while I sat there quietly, Waiting for some sign, I heard a gentle voice say:

"Oh, dearest child of mine ...
Do you think I really care about the time of day,
Or whether you are standing up,
Or kneeling when you pray?"

"I don't care about your posture,
Or about the place you choose;
Just open up your soul to me,
I have no other rules.
Tell me what is in your heart,
And tell me what you seek;
Tell me of your sorrows,
And of those things that made you weak."

"Speak to me in private
About what concerns you most;
I know about your good deeds ...
You have no need to boast.
My child, you don't need lessons,
Just talk to me each day.
Tell me anything you want, dear child,
Anyone can pray."

JR

LOVED that poem JR....:love: So good to have you with us here at the new/old Paradise Cafe. You have been missed.:hug:

Love, Rez:giverose: