2003-01-02-Living A Prayerful Life

Session

Opening

Greetings, this is your friend and teacher, Welmek. And I bring to you the good wishes of the Teaching Corps who assemble here on these evenings to bid you a year of peace, growth, enjoyment, and an increased presence of your indwelling Spirit within you as you increasingly open your mind to its leadings.

Lesson

As you know, we have been looking at prayer very carefully over the last several weeks. And last week through teacher Anatolia you were instructed on the intentional aspect of prayer through feeling, through going into your heart, and allowing the prayer to be said from the depths of your being. And tonight I wish to expand on this instruction, as we go into the idea of what does it mean to live a prayerful life. But before we begin, I wish to ask you if you have any comments on the instruction of last week or on any of the previous weeks of our instruction? Are there any comments or ideas that you need clarified before we speak about our topic this evening?

Dialogue

Student: Welmek, I have a comment. I'm transcribing these sessions, and this last week's session was not clear because the battery in the tape recorder was rundown. So I was only able to catch the first part of that session. And it has not yet been sent out to people. So there's a possibility that some of us or all of us may be not that clear on some things that you might have otherwise been relying on us having heard last week.

Welmek: This is why I have asked for your comments now, so we can recap and re-instill those ideas within you that need further solidification within your mind.

Reading

Student: I'm having a problem. I find that I don't recall what I've read. I've read several of the transcripts three or four times, and it's very frustrating that I don't recall them so that I can then put them to use.

Welmek: I would suggest that you read them in small increments. And after you have read them, spend a few moments in stillness and ask your Inner Spirit to take that information that you have just read and blend it more deeply into your conscious mind. Do this several times, each time after you read something new. But I would encourage you not to read so much at one particular time. And do this in small increments so that your mind has the ability to expand more and more fully with each small morsel that you digest. When you read too much, and read it over and over, based on your capacity to capture and retain information, your mind does not absorb as much as you might like. So instead, read small portions and be still and let this grow within you over a period of several weeks. Do you understand this, R?

Student: Yes. How much do you recommend I read at one time?

Welmek: You will find within your own soul a level that seems comfortable, especially when you are reading about new ideas. Take one idea and let that digest. Too many ideas will confuse and have the reverse effect. You will not absorb all of this information at once. Do you understand? (Yes, I do. Thank you.) You are welcome.

Student: I have another comment, if I may? I was wondering if it might be useful for me to give a brief summary of what I recall that more recent lesson was a continuation of what you have been teaching already? And that might facilitate this evening's session.

Welmek: Please do so.

Prayer

Student: What I recall was that the emphasis was on prayer intention. The intention became stronger as we would step into the feeling of what it is we want to pray about. That would be another person, a situation, or even our self. Once we have stepped into the feeling and allowed that feeling to become more present within us, we would get to a stage where we start to tune into the love of the Father for that person or the readiness of the will of the Father to step in and accomplish whatever it is that the will of the Father is for that person, that situation, or for our self.

It was also stated that we are unlikely to know the results directly, and that that's not the measure of success. And further, that using of words, themselves, are actually not as essential as we might have thought. Even in some instances the wording is a little bit detrimental, in that it's the feeling which is most effective. And sometimes when we are striving to find words it will give us a mental stream of developing understanding - but not the access to the power of the prayer to accomplish whatever it is that this intention would call forth. That's my recollection of what that lesson was.

Welmek: I would say that your recollection is accurate and you have presented an excellent synopsis of the prior week's instruction. For those of you who have been attending these discourses and discussions on prayer, what would you say has been your experience as you prayed for individuals - insofar as you have taken this instruction and applied it to your prayer life? I would be interested to hear what has been transpiring in your prayer life, if you are so open to sharing this now.

Student: I may not be recalling this exactly, but our recent transcripts really struck home. When praying for someone, you have to enter into their pain. That was a very powerful idea.

Welmek: And were you able to use this in your own prayer life for another person?

Student: That's what I am just beginning to do now. I focus on one person in the complex I live in, and see if I will tell him what I am doing and see if any changes take place.

Welmek: Do you recall the idea here was to develop empathy and compassion for this individual, so that as you pray the will of the Father can enter into the person and uplift this person in spirit to help them begin to feel greater spiritual support in his or her life? Do you recall this idea, as well?

Student: Not as such, but what you have said reminds me that I'm not clear about what I should pray for this person. Whether I should pray for physical improvement or spiritual insight. What you said suggests I should be focusing on his spiritual life.

Welmek: As a general rule, to be in that state of prayer fullness takes you into a place of feeling of compassion, love, understanding of that person. And when you are so imbued with this overwhelming feeling for this individual ask for the Father's will to prevail in this person's life. The Father knows what this individual needs, and you are opening a door for the downgrasp influence of the Father's love into a person's life. This may be the only time in their life that someone is opening a door for them, for they may not have the tools or the understanding to open the door for themselves. And you can do this for them. You can pry the door to their soul open just a little bit more, and thereby help them tremendously. Does this idea ring a bell within you?

Student: Oh, yes. It rings a very loud bell. And I became excited recently about a life devoted to service in this sense: praying for people, not passing opinions about them, but taking them only as they are. And I think you put it rather well, opening a doorway that might never have been opened. I thank you for that.

Welmek: It warms my heart to hear you speaking of your interest in being of more service, and for this I am very glad. (Thank you.) Are there any other comments before we continue?

Student: Welmek, I'm having a wonderful kind of feedback. That is, I pray for individuals and it seems like I'm getting insight into their condition. And it's given, I seem to have a fuller grasp of their totality. Maybe it's in trying to see them from the Father's viewpoint. They seem to be more whole, more complete. And I'm struck by the fact that these individuals I'm praying for all have a very good heart. In spite of our human frailties, they mean well.

Welmek: What would you say is the most significant aspect of your praying for them? By that I mean, when you pray for them, are you able to sense a deeper grounding of the Father's will that you are bringing into their spiritual space through your prayer?

Student: I think so, Welmek. I have a feeling that we're surrounded by the Father and Michael and Mother, and it's a kind of openness that is called for. And as the Father's love is coming down like a driving rain, we simply need to perceive it and be open to it and just be like a blotter and just absorb it and let it affect us. So, not knowing what they need as well as the Father, I just kind of pray for openness, a kind of rebirth of wonder.

Welmek: And do you sense within you that this is, indeed, what is transpiring in spirit around them?

Student: Well, not to be too optimistic, but several of my dear friends are really turning their lives around. I mean, enormously in a very spiritual way. So, I don't know what the cause is, but the Father is definitely getting through. They are happy. They are radiant. I have a friend who just takes a delight in what could be. I think a year or two ago he would have seen as just a menial job just to make a few bucks to keep alive, transporting handicapped people around. He is making this seem one of the most enjoyable, the whole idea of making this for them a special, wonderful thing they can look forward to every day. It's meeting this strange character who rides them around. It's just amazing.

Welmek: And when you see the results of a person's spiritual self opening, does this not give you more faith that prayer does indeed work; and that your prayer efforts are bearing fruit, even though you may not know to what degree?

Student: I hope so. At the same time I try to be humble and not think that I'm actually causing this. I'm just delighted in their growth, and in their happiness and their finding God. It's just wonderful.

Welmek: And there is a distinction to be made about feeling that you are the instigator of this. But what you are doing is holding a thought seed for this individual or individuals, so that their Thought Adjusters have more room and substance to work with within their own minds - and thereby lending their minds more amenable to spiritual development. So, while it is true that you cannot know the degree to which your prayers are influencing a person, do not lose sight of the fact that your prayers for other people are valuable - and valued - as a service. Any amount of service for another person is important, respected, and valued in the universe. And if this is what you are providing, as you pray, then you are acting as a responsible universe citizen. And this makes you a very upstanding citizen.

Student: Thank you, Welmek. It's such a rewarding thing in itself to see people more wholly, more completely. It lets them into your life more.

Welmek: So, upon this note then, let us explore tonight this idea of: What does it mean to live a prayerful life? So I would ask you to take this idea now into stillness, and ask your Inner Spirit to lead you into a deeper understanding. Spend a few moments in asking, and when you feel you have gleaned an insight about this idea, please share this with me and I will add my comments. (Pause)

Student: Welmek, I feel that being prayerful allows us to tune into more fully the Father's will, and therefore we would be, we would say and do the right thing - or do the best. If we remain prayerful we would know how to behave by being attuned.

Welmek: This is so. For you are, as you say, tuning your mind to that spiritual channel of information that teaches you about the Father's ways of responding to life and to people with love, understanding, devotion, self-forgetfulness, mercy, forgiveness, and many other noble and divine qualities. When you are so attuned, do you find a distinctive difference in the quality of your life? What would you respond to this, C?

Student: I feel a weight removed from me, and some of the burdens lifted, and freedom from worry, and a faith and trust that things will turn out okay.

Welmek: Do you find this to be a more desirable lifestyle?

Student: Yes, it's wonderful.

Welmek: So, then, would you say that leading a prayerful life would be an enticing kind of a life, a life that would be something to aspire to? Student: Yes, of course. I don't know why I don't put more attention on it, or make more space for it.

Welmek: Have you asked yourself that question?

Student: No, I guess I really haven't, very clearly at all. I can't imagine a good excuse for not doing it. I think it's just a bad habit.

Welmek: And here we are learning how to develop spiritual habits, are we not? (Yes) And it is all a matter of time and growth and putting your attention on what it is you wish to achieve in your life. Perhaps this is a question now that you might like to take into your own meditative time of reflection at home, and ask for increased under-standing as to some of the barriers that are operative in your life that prevent you from being more now in this prayerful state of being. It is a matter of spiritual attainment. The more you grow, the greater understanding and desire you have to seek and to be in this prayerful state. Are there any other comments from your experiences now?

Student: Welmek, the last couple of weeks of the prayer helped me to realize, to experience, that between feeling and thought the feeling is a more fundamental reality. And then this, coupled with R's point about the intention, your lessons on the intention, to me this is a wonderful way to relate to other people. It's like I have a connection with them, as long as I can be mindful of it. And this connection is feeling. It's almost telepathic. It's empathy. And this helps my intention, then, towards them, to be open. The whole part of it is I'm rewarded, because I have this not some cartoon figure in my own mind of who they are, but I have a living, breathing, infinite kind of being standing in front of me. It helps me to actually perceive that. To me this is the glory of a prayerful relationship.

Welmek: You are coming into a deeper understanding of how the Father loves the individual uniquely, how the Father perceives that individual completely. And while your ability to attain this deep level of the Father's understanding and love is growing, nevertheless it is in obedience to the commandment Jesus left when he said "love one another as I have loved you, serve one another as I have served you." When you are in this state of empathy through your feeling, your intention will always be to share and to bring the Father's love into that person's life. And you are obeying the most important directive of the Master. And is this not soul satisfying and adding to the depth and substance of your own inner growth?

Student: Oh yes. That's actually the immediate reward.

Welmek: And it is the eternal reward, too, my friend.

Student: I have a comment I would like to add at this point. It was stimulated, maybe 10 minutes ago, by first when you asked us what our experiences were in prayer, and little bit after that when you made a comment regarding our prayer opening the door even a little bit, even for the first time, to someone who may not have that access. What happened to me was an awareness that was very powerful that just smoothly came into me - that the feeling of empathy, the feeling of the pain of the other person fully is an experience of being as God is, of being as Jesus was and is. So that the distinction I'm noting here is a little bit less of me as some individual having more and more spiritual experience, as it is a noting of more fully experiencing and a fuller oneness with - and an identification in - exactly how Jesus and the Father and yourself and all of these teachers have been indicating. I'm recalling so many instances where I hear statements such as 'how much I feel the love there'. So at this moment my summary of what I just said is that I'm feeling an enormous joy in the awareness of, and the feeling of more and more being experientially one with the Father. Not separate like the Father, but just really being the Father - in that as I pray it's the Father praying and it's not some guy like me or somebody else praying. So that's quite profound, I perceive; I wanted to make a note of that, because I think it might be useful to the expansion of this process for all of us.

Welmek: As your consciousness - the thoughts you think, the feelings of love expand in your awareness, you are reacting less and less from the person that you were and moving more and more into the combined unification of your nature with that of your indwelling Adjuster. You are becoming more God-like. As you sense this internal union blending together, you naturally operate in your outward behavior and inner thinking in a new way. It becomes more seamless and selfless, especially when you direct your attention toward helping others - through prayer or other acts of service. What you are actually doing is administering the Father's love into another person's life. And I tell you, my friend, as you already are experiencing, there is no greater joy than this. For it feeds you as well as it nourishes another individual. There is a completeness and a repleteness, in that it feeds you and spurs on our own development. And that you are sensing this is a vast distinction to make in the way that you once lived and perceived. So I say to you now, my friend, get used to it. This is the new life, this is the life in the spirit - and it is a thrill to hear you speak of your increased recognition of this. This is your life now, for your eternal future. And we are overjoyed to hear you speak of your experience in this way.

Student: Amen.

Welmek: Prayer, then, at this level loses its rote-ness. For then it becomes a privilege and something you look forward to doing, because you know that what you are doing for another person is valuable, is important, and is helping that individual - especially when that person cannot do it for himself or herself. This elevates prayer to its highest level of universe responsibility, and it becomes a privilege then to pray - something you do wholeheartedly with love, because you know it is the best possible thing to do. And what more could you do for that individual?

Your life, then, becomes a living prayer, because you are living in the state of feeling and thinking about another person and that takes you into the realm of active service. And the next step after the prayerful intention is then to assist that person in whatever way you can, to help him or her achieve a new level of the Father, and to experience the Father's love. (Pause) Did I stop your comments by that last statement? It was rich food for thought, was it not?

Student: Yes, Welmek, in listening to everyone and what I have experienced over the past year - and you know what I have experienced over the past year, the challenges that I have met and overcome as I allow myself to experience my oneness with the Father and with Jesus and with the Spirit of Truth, and you know how deeply devoted I am to living prayer, and how my heart has opened immensely, and how my sense of compassion and empathy have greatly increased and expanded.

I have been greatly blessed by the experience of my oneness with universal consciousness and love. It's beyond words, in a sense. I just feel a sense of increased wealth and richness within my being, that the experience that R. had tonight I have constantly experienced. And it's so gratifying. And as I told Michael/Jesus on Monday, I look forward to experiencing the days to come, because of what I have experienced in the days that have gone past. It seems my faith has greatly increased and deepened, and my capacity to be in the moment has greatly deepened and increased.

Living prayer is seeing the good in each and every person, and experiencing the light beyond the darkness; and seeing the love beyond the pain and depression, seeing God in each and every person.

Welmek: When you pray for those close to you, are you able to perceive the Father's inworkings in their spiritual dimension?

Student: For some, yes.

Welmek: Are you aware of the duration of the inworking of the spirit within that other person's spiritual dimension?

Student: I don't know if I am or not. I don't know if I completely understand what you are asking.

Welmek: What I am interested in now is to help you bring in the Father's love and the Father's will into that individual more and more, and to help you hold that focus within that person's spiritual space so that this opens the door in their minds more fully. Is this something that appeals to you now?

Student: Oh yes, and I've seen that happen; not maybe so overtly, but I have seen it happen subtly in people.

Welmek: And this is what I am asking you now, if you are able to perceive this.

Student: Yes, yes I can. Even with people who have been very spiritually dense there has been changes - subtle, but there have been changes.

Welmek: Yes, it is not a big burst of light within their mindal environments. The door opens very slowly, so that each person has the capacity to grow at their own rate in conjunction with the leadings of their indwelling Spirit. And this is, of course, not your prerogative to know how they grow. But it is to offer this idea to you now, to begin to hold the focus more fully on the other individual as you sense this expansion of the Father's love in your own life. As when you are in this place to outwardly direct this now on the other individual.

After you have felt sated in stillness, then bring your awareness into the realms of other people for whom you wish to pray and hold this focus on them like a laser beam of love going directly into the pain of that individual's life. And to thereby make you this, as we have talked about this before, a spiritual surgeon applying the Father's love; and thereby making you a more effective prayer as you increase your capacity to live a prayerful life. Do you understand my meaning now, D.?

Student: Oh, very much so. And what's really neat about it is that it's done in secret. It's done privately. There's no big fanfare. I like that. In the Father's love. And what's, I think what's important too, and you alluded to it, is just opening up a little crevice of light within them. Because sometimes if they explode with light they don't know how to handle it. And that could do them more harm. Just giving them a little crevice of light, a little opening; and allowing the Father and the Mother to do their will. Sometimes that's all it takes.

Welmek: And where you apply the light is important: to apply the light on that area in their life that is in pain, in despair, in spiritual darkness. And this is the important idea to convey to you tonight: to actually direct that light upon that place within them. That if you are able to perceive this within them, then there is the service of applying this direct light on their wound and thereby to bring the Father's love to heal it. This is, after all, the purpose of prayer: to spiritually uplift and heal another individual or a situation. So I ask you now to direct your efforts in prayer in this way. And I will be interested to hear your perceptions in the coming weeks.

Student: I look forward to it.

Welmek: Are there any other comments about these ideas tonight before we conclude? Are there any ideas that bear further elaboration or clarification for you?

Student: I haven't been able to get into the Urantia materials. And I don't know what to do about that. A few pages a day. I just don't know how to do your counsel about that. (side one of tape ends).

Welmek: (Missing words from tape) fine with the Father and Michael. You are into these teachings, heart and soul. Your reading is designed to expand your conceptual framework. And it is important in your development to have enlarged concepts from which to trigger your spiritual hunger. But I say to you that it is not so much a matter of reading your text, as it is to live the teachings. And I would encourage you to spend more time in prayerful thinking, than it is in outward reading of these concepts.

You have been fed with much information over these past months of your involvement. And it is important to let this information and material digest within you. So it is not so important to read as it is to experience what it is you have learned. And in time when you feel you have better powers of retention and an ability to read without being frustrated, then it would be time to pick up and do more in-depth study. Do you understand what I mean by that?

Student: Oh yes. You have given me just what I needed, as usual. Thank you.

Welmek: Well, I do aim to please, and to help you in whatever way I can.

Student: I know that. I found my life is undergoing a fundamental transformation. That's a very exciting experience. I want to thank you for your contribution.

Welmek: You are most welcome, my dear friend. And it is exciting for us too to watch your transformation, and to assist you in whatever way we can. (Thank you.)

Student: Welmek, I have a request, but not for this evening. It's just something for the future. I've been thinking a lot lately, and getting some insights into a phenomena I call 'romanticism', a kind of imaginative crutch that we use maybe out of necessity for awhile. I'm thinking of romanticizing something like warfare. That in the past, in order to face both what might happen to us and what we might have to do to other men, or even women and children, we romanticize something. But then that itself becomes something that helps perpetuate our ability to do these things past any necessity. So maybe some time in the future I would enjoy your insights as to what we do about this, because it's such a big part of our mass culture. Thank you.

Welmek: When we have concluded our series on prayer, we can spend some time in looking at this idea that you have presented. For there is an element of escapism that is operating in this idea of romanticism. And it is not something that improves the quality of your culture. It holds people hostage and renders people ineffective. So I will take this to our Teaching Corps and we will look at this as we move into new ideas of spiritual development. (Thank you.)

Closing

I will ask you now to go within, to spend a few moments in prayer for those near and dear to you. Find that place of empathy, of sensing that other person's need of spirit and finding that place where you feel the Father's love. And see if you can direct it into that actual place of need and ask that the Father's will prevail. As you do this, join hands together, as I pray for our Father and Mother's presence to add into your prayerful desire. (Long Pause)

May the love and the presence of our Mother and Father prevail in the lives of these individuals. What the faith child asks and the Father's will is. Good evening, my friends.