A few years ago I discovered the power of prayer. My earlier idea of how prayer worked was a "get down on my knees in church communication with God-the-Father who would or would not grant me my wish depending on the mood God was in" kind of exercise. I have since learned that prayer is not so limited.

Now I can send a prayer out to God, the Spirit, he/she universal energy, and I am heard with unconditional love without being in a special place or position. I may be driving, taking a walk, or washing the dishes. When I think of a family member or friend who is in need of support, the suffering of beings all around the planet, or the planet itself, I feel the ever present connection to the energetic waves sending my intention for healing and peace out into the air. Are they gathered up by angels and sent directly through a benevolent universe? Perhaps. I know it really doesn't matter how it works, just that it does.

I am convinced that this new understanding comes from listening to the energy I call God. True prayer, for me, comes from the willingness to be still and to listen. This means I must be able to surrender the belief that I know what is best and stop telling God what that is. True prayer has an ebb and flow, like breathing, embracing and being embraced by air.


-Lisa Barstow

Reprinted with permission of the author from "Sacred Journey," August-September 2007 issue.