A Forgotten Weapon in Dark Times

A powerful tale of the underdog from the Bible and the Torah, the story of David and Goliath gets a new perspective from writer Malcolm Gladwell. The truth is that David only seems doomed; he looks like this little shepherd going up against this giant powerful warrior. However, David is actually a skilled sharp-shooter who has been given a unique skill from Source to combat his enemy. Believe it or not, this is the same for us; we have a unique weapon to battle the dark forces in our world, if only we will start using it.

This unique weapon is prayer. I have had almost all of my prayers answered. Why not hundred percent, you may ask? Because I was not always good at praying. Prayer requires three things: 1) coherence between you and the universe, 2) an intention for the best possible outcome, and 3) surrender of control. If you want to be a really effective prayer warrior, you need to get in tune with God. You have to be able to sit still and feel God flowing through you. You have to vibrate with the energy of the universe. How do you know when you are at that point? What does it feel like? For me, it feels like I am being held by the universe, that am loved by Creation and that I am important to God. When you feel this, you are in the best energy to pray. Next, set your intention. Asking for a million dollars is not setting an intention. If you are struggling financially, then set your intention for the strength and skills to conquer the situation or ask for financial relief because your stress level is going through the roof and you are worried you won't be able to buy groceries or gas. Word this need as a request for help. You have to ask, and it really needs to come from your heart. In Matthew 7:7, Jesus tells us “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Next, you have to surrender; if you try to dictate how the solution will occur, you are more often going to be disappointed. You have to admit that it is something you just can't find the solution for and ask the universe for help. You have spiritual beings - angels and guides - who are waiting for you to ask for help. You just have to be honest and open with yourself and God. Finally, you have to trust that your prayer is in the process of being answered (sometimes people will word this as knowing your prayer is answered). Jesus, himself, tells us in Matthew 21:22: "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

If you are praying for someone else, you need to recognize that you do not have all the answers. This is where intention is really important. Death and suffering occur for specific reasons. We're not privy to those reasons, so I often just set my intention as the best possible outcome for the situation or the alleviation of suffering. You can also ask that all positive beings around the person or situation help bring about a favorable outcome. For example, I have a dear relative who is going blind. She has spent her entire life rushing around being a bit oblivious to the people around her. Her loss of sight is actually causing her to sit still more, to reconnect with God, and to value the loving people in her life. She is seeing now the ways that she has been blind to the lives of those around her. When I prayer for her, I pray for her to see and accept that it may be a different type of sight that she receives. My coherence with the universe guides my prayers for her.

The point is while suffering is uncomfortable and often painful, that doesn't always mean it is bad. In fact, I firmly believe that God works all things out for our good - including suffering. As parents, we see this all the time. We have to let our kids fall so that they can build their knowledge and strength. We are standing there with them, providing comfort and support when they ask for it. God is our father/mother doing the exact same thing. When we prayer, we should prayer with this in mind. Prayer for strength, pray for resources, pray for knowledge, pray for guidance. Most importantly, pray for spiritual growth, love, and understanding.

All around us we see people suffering. Oftentimes, this comes out as hatred and anger. We hurt each other every day with our selfishness and disconnection from each other and from God. Prayer is a way to start combating this darkness we experience in the world. When someone is cruel, pray that the good beings around them will help open their hearts. When you feel angry, pray for the skills to calm your anger and find peace. When you are lonely, pray for a way to connect and make meaningful relationships with others. Yes, the problems in our world look like a Goliath, but we are prayer slingers and we have a blessed weapon.