Listening in Prayer Comforts and Heals

As your online Coach, I want to share the idea of "listening" in prayer -- rather than telling, asking, or even begging or bargaining! When we get desperate we can get crazy! BE STILL.

In order hear what God has to tell you, we must stop talking and "listen" in prayer.

To do this you must do what Jesus instructed with his analogy-teaching of going "into the closet" to pray. You must be still and quiet -- like being shut into a closet alone. There is a place in your consciousness like this. Once you establish this for yourself you can go there quickly -- even in the midst of loud confusion or fear. If it is a new place to go mentally ... here is how you find it:

Go to a quiet place (even if it's in your car alone).
Close your eyes (in order to shut out thoughts that involuntarily come as you see things around you).
Think "Spirit" and hold your attention there for a minute or so.
Say "Spirit" and "Love" over and over ... keep attention there.
Adopt a "listening" attitude...expectant of an idea -- not necessarily a sound -- but an idea or feeling.

As your Coach, I am giving this assignment to you for the weekend (through Monday). Do this at least once a day (even if it is not a new thing for you). If you have already established your "closet of prayer" place in consciousness, and you already have had many experiences of healing the divine messages and inspirations -- then when you do this you will find yourself receiving and feeling in more depth than usual. There is always progress -- more clarity, more spiritual power. The Source is infinite. You are loved and divine Love will speak to you.

Listen. To pay attention; to receive an impression.

Because man is God's "image and likeness" or reflection -- and you are "man" (male/female) -- you reflect the thoughts of Mind, and this is the deepest meaning of "listening" in prayer. "How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee" (Psalm 139:17-18).

God's thoughts are thoughts of peace -- listen and feel after this peace. 

A New View for Comfort and Freedom

A relationship involving loss can be torturous (whether you lose the person or lose their love), but this misery can be abated by how you choose to think, which governs how you feel. Thinking is first, feeling follows along -- like the steering wheel is first and the car turns in accord with it (not vice versa). Usually people think that if such-and-such a thing changes (or if only it could change, or come back to a previous state) that then they would be happy and relieved. This is like waiting for the car to make the turn without touching the steering wheel. If the car is heading straight toward a cliff we should put our hands on the steering wheel and turn it! Here is the good thing -- we can change how we think without hindrance from any one or any situation -- and we change our thought best by turning awareness to God and then bringing the fact of being His likeness to bear on the condition or situation. This true healing of thought and emotion is not mere positive thinking or human mind affirmations, it is the reflection of the One Consciousness or Intelligence of the universe, the Creator, God, Good, Love. It is by the law of reflection as His likeness that our thought comes into alignment with His, and God, Mind, is always in perfect peace and absolute control.

Often our reasoning out from the way things appear, the thinking that seems so incontestable, so concrete and unquestionable, is the very culprit that binds us with chains of misery worse than actual steel. In a Grief coaching session, the intuitive and highly spiritualized thought of the Christian coach can read the case, discern the problems in reasoning and conclusions, and offer the key to unlock the shackles that bind one to stress, grief, fear, and agonizing. Behind this sharp discernment that pierces the black cloud over the sufferer's consciousness and feeling, is the basic spiritual fact that God is Good and infinite, filling all space, ever-present, and that man is His "image and likeness" (Genesis 1:26).

What God is determines what you are as His "image and likeness." You are His reflection, If God is not in a state or worry, His reflection cannot be either. To be successful in changing thought (turning the steering wheel, or in biblical terms, repenting) you must first give your consent to receive the angels of His presence, the messages of the Christ speaking to your soul --  consent to be comforted.

Once you consent to be comforted, you can declare or affirm spiritual truths as the angels whisper them to your consciousness. Often it helps open the door to hear these inwardly when you open your Bible for a message. Pray and then open the Scriptures and begin to read -- stop and contemplate. In a healing, coaching session with a highly inspired present day disciple of Christ Jesus -- the exact spiritual truth you need will be discerned and communicated to you. This still is God helping  you directly. Go to your Bible and ask for the truth you need, and read, contemplate, be quiet in spiritual listening. Jesus said, "Ask and ye shall receive."

If you are in a constant state of worry or grief that is wearing you down, consent to be comforted, pray for the spiritual truth you need, open the Scriptures, listen for angel messages, and then hold to the spiritual illumination that comes to you. Hold tight. A change of thought must be held to as illustrated by Jacob at Peniel who wrestled all night and finally had an epiphany -- a change of thinking so intense that he even changed his name (Jacob to Israel). He gives us the perfect example of stick-to-itiveness when he says to the angel, "I will not let thee go until thou bless me." Don't let go of the affirmation of truth that comes to you until you are free and lifted up. Once you feel this, all the other uncontrollable bad things that have brought the fetters of agony will adjust, and/or your feeling will adjust (Genesis, chapter 32).

Declare: I am in perfect peace and ease. I can sleep all night. I am confident in good. I have complete trust in God who is Love.

How can you say these things? Because God, the one Mind, is in perfect peace and is infinite Good -- and you are His reflection (image and likeness). Jesus said that we would "know the truth" and it would "make [us] free." I cannot be disturbed -- is implied by the declaration, I am in perfect peace. Hold tight to that angel until your experience changes in accord with it -- and let that happen in God's own way -- no outlining. God's plan is infinitely better than anything we could ever imagine. Complaint and worry turn to gratitude when we turn the steering wheel of our thought in accord with the angels' comforting directions.

Comfort and Spiritual Empowerment

As a Certified Christian Grief Coach (Joy-Restoration Coach), my main concern is to bring comfort and spiritual empowerment to those struggling with adversity and loss.

For this reason, I would like to invite you to take my new course, Training Today's Twelve found on my website (scripturalstudycenter.org). If you are suffering disappointment, loss, grief, sadness, stress, or a sense of insecurity -- you can find comfort, direction, healing, and spiritual empowerment by making use of this course. 

Besides finding increased peace and comfort, you will learn how to heal through Spirit based on God's laws as shown in Christ Jesus' ministry. You will be able to comfort others and gain deeper insights into your own self and identity. Your life-purpose will come alive, be clarified, and more active. These are good unselfish things that help us overcome debilitation from grief, loss, or disappointment. 

The first Unit, based on the Gospel of Mark is free. You will be directed to the course by one easy click on my home page. Start at any time. The preceding Modules remain available. There is also a wonderful Journal with ideas, quotes, how-to notes, and contemplation prompts and questions (free download). 

We have launched Module 3 this week, with a specific focus on healing. You can reflect on comments and questions throughout the module, and put what you learn into practice immediately with full confidence in Spirit and divine Love. Observe the compassion of Jesus in dealing with those in sorrow or need, as well as with those who opposed or hated him. Studying the masters in any field or discipline is required for fast and accurate progress. How important, when needing comfort, to turn to the Master of Comfort and sit at his feet as a humble disciple (learner) today. 

Let divine Love encircle and embrace you. Be still and think on this, feel after it, and let yourself be strengthened by the grace of Spirit. Be quiet and "listen" to the angel messages. Then reflect and express the Love that enters your heart.