Prayer in the Work
Posted November 3rd, 2007 by Jasmin
... a moment of peace
Every week the Vancouver Gnostic Group gets together to discuss the spiritual work... we talk about what we need to work upon for self-development, and we explore ways to ground ourselves and to keep focused on our inner work. It's a great way of maintaining a sense of purpose, and building support, strength and unity. Last week we decided to investigate the power of 'Prayer'.
I have found prayer to be an essential source of strength and a vital aspect of my daily activities.... whether I am in need of assistance or simply want to say ‘thanks’. There are times when we are troubled, stressed and bombarded with a string of dreadful events...what do you do in these situations? I've found that it's no use worrying and carrying a heavy state of anger, fear or sadness, etc.
Instead, these are the times to focus and ask for help...no matter how difficult it is. I’ve also seen that having a close relationship with the Divine really helps build strength and provides the momentum to move forward with the spiritual work, when we sincerely ask for help and support. I've seen and experienced the magical power of prayer; a commitment and dedication to it, along with putting forth the necessary efforts to do the spiritual work, brings us closer to the truth and gives us a gentle reminder of what we are here to do...
It takes a lot of courage and strength for the spiritual work to flourish in our lives...I found that it's imperative to stay strong, to never give up, and to use the opportunities to really see what's right in front of us -- to learn and gain a true understanding of ourselves and our true potential...
Below are two of my favourite prayers and music to listen to. I have found them to be of great help, not only in times of trouble, illness or sorrow--but also in time of contemplation. They are a great source of daily inspiration in asking for help, strength, guidance and support...
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
Amen.
Performed by Charlotte Church
PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen
Performed by Philippine Madrigal Singers
What better thing to aspire to than to be an instrument of peace...
Every week the Vancouver Gnostic Group gets together to discuss the spiritual work... we talk about what we need to work upon for self-development, and we explore ways to ground ourselves and to keep focused on our inner work. It's a great way of maintaining a sense of purpose, and building support, strength and unity. Last week we decided to investigate the power of 'Prayer'.
Instead, these are the times to focus and ask for help...no matter how difficult it is. I’ve also seen that having a close relationship with the Divine really helps build strength and provides the momentum to move forward with the spiritual work, when we sincerely ask for help and support. I've seen and experienced the magical power of prayer; a commitment and dedication to it, along with putting forth the necessary efforts to do the spiritual work, brings us closer to the truth and gives us a gentle reminder of what we are here to do...
It takes a lot of courage and strength for the spiritual work to flourish in our lives...I found that it's imperative to stay strong, to never give up, and to use the opportunities to really see what's right in front of us -- to learn and gain a true understanding of ourselves and our true potential...
Below are two of my favourite prayers and music to listen to. I have found them to be of great help, not only in times of trouble, illness or sorrow--but also in time of contemplation. They are a great source of daily inspiration in asking for help, strength, guidance and support...
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
Amen.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen
Performed by Philippine Madrigal Singers
What better thing to aspire to than to be an instrument of peace...
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Hey Jasmin, I love it when I
Hey Jasmin,
I love it when I come on here and feel like I've heard exactly what I needed too. Thanks very much for your post.
When I felt most disconnected was when I hadn't really been praying. But this simple act of asking for strength or guidance backed up by sincere effort can really turn everything around.
I have both of those prayers on the wall in my room. They are both wonderful reminders of the work and what we are striving for. The prayer of Saint Francis beautifully words the spiritual work I think.
Much strength to you guys in Vancouver!
Hi Jasmin, Those are my
Hi Jasmin,
Those are my favourite prayers too.
I like a lot the profound meaning of their words.
Prayers take important role in my life now.
Although, before I used to underestimate prayers, beleiving that "in this world I can rely only on one person, myself" and thinking that it has no meaning to talk to somone you are not sure does really exist.
But later I got accustomed to over rely on the prayers, praying mechanically and beleiving that "everything will be granted for me just because I ask for it a lot, sooner or later", not backing up my words with my actions.
Thanks so much for this wonderful reminder and inspiration.
Much strength to you guys in Vancouver!
I loved that music by the
I loved that music by the Phillipine Madrigal Singers it was lovely. I agree with you on the power of prayer, it reconnects you to the Divine, to the source of it all and it can make you a bit more grounded in the Work, helping you focus on your spiritual Work during the day, I'd agree with The Venerable Master Samael Aun Weor that prayer and mantras in a day can really change a day around and grant you victory. I've seen benefits from praying before food, strength and just a general boost in the Spirtual Work which can help to accel you onward to the next level in your Spiritual Work, it really is a very worthwhile thing.
Thank you again,
Nathan
Hi Jasmin ,thanks ...,the
Hi Jasmin ,thanks ...,the prayers is one of my favourite ,i remember i use to pray....our Father so many time ,it must be 90 time,when i was a kid ,being so afraid of the dark and I love the music of St Francis :)
Good luck guys ,would love hear some more update soon :)
Colm.
Hey Jasmin, Wow, thanks for
Hey Jasmin,
Wow, thanks for your post, it couldn't of come at a better time for me. I had a really difficult day yesterday and am trying to get back on my feet, doing all I can this morning to get me moving forward again. Reading what you wrote, the prayers and listening to those music pieces has really lifted me up and given me a good push :)
I have never heard those music pieces before, they are beautiful, thanks for sharing them.
I also really enjoy these prayers, every time I read them I get a lot of strength. But I don't read them enough....I am going to copy them down and look to them more often.
Thanks Again! and All the Strength to you guys in Vancouver.
Jenny
Jasmin this is just so
Jasmin this is just so beautiful.
thank you very much.
would there be anyway that you can provide us with the mp3's. is there somewhere online were we can either download them free or purchase them?
Well done Jasmin! I hope
Well done Jasmin!
I hope that we can all continue to work hard on our journey to be a true instrument of peace.
John
We have that Charlotte
We have that Charlotte Church song here at the Bondi Centre on a CD of hers, its called "Voice of an Angel".
There are some really great tracks on it, although some tracks are better left alone. I particularly like the Ave Maria and Pie Jesu, Panis Angelicus, Psalm 23 and Jerusalem songs. And of course the one you have posted here.
It's quite an insightful thing to try to live that prayer of St Francis. More than just saying the words if we take it into life and see what it takes to actually live it, there's plenty to learn from it.
Thank you for sharing your
Thank you for sharing your understanding and inspiration Jasmin. It is a great help. All the best to you and your fellow Vancouverians :)
Hi everyone, I am glad that
Hi everyone,
I am glad that you got something from this. There have been times when I have read, seen or discovered something that have given resonance to my life, but I did not mention it...I ask myself why? I appreciate and I thank you all for taking the time to share your thoughts. Thank You all for your best wishes, and I wish you all the strength!
I have known these prayers all my life, must've recited them and sung them a million times! To understand them fully, and as you mentioned David, actually to live out the words of the prayers, and not just by saying it, is most important, I have found.
I ask myself, how can I ask to be given pardon for all my mistakes, if I can't learn to give pardon to others. Holding grudges and resentment towards others only leaves a heavy feeling of negativity in your heart. It's a liberating feeling to 'let go'...to be free from this pain.
I have found that my ability to forgive comes truly from the understanding that I want to be forgiven...and this starts with learning and understanding about compassion. I have found it to be a difficult thing, but worth fighting for. I think understanding forgiveness is a life-long journey, whether we are wanting to forgive others or are seeking forgiveness for ourselves.
Jasmin
p.s. It's great to hear from you Layla :-)