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Word Gems
exploring self-realization, sacred personhood, and full humanity
A Course In Miracles
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Prayer is a way of asking for something. It is the medium of miracles [implying that insights will come if we are truly open to them]. But the only meaningful prayer is for forgiveness, because those who have been forgiven have everything. Once forgiveness has been accepted, prayer in the usual sense becomes utterly meaningless. The prayer for forgiveness is nothing more than a request that you may be able to recognize what you already have. In electing perception [via the ego] instead of knowledge, you placed yourself in a position where you could resemble your Father only by perceiving miraculously. You have lost the knowledge that you yourself are a miracle of God.
As long as perception lasts prayer has a place. Since perception rests on lack, those who perceive [as opposed to know] have not totally accepted the Atonement...
[The Holy Spirit] is in communion with God always, and He is part of you. Editor's note: The apostle Paul's instruction to "pray always" is better rendered "commune with God always."
Communion, not prayer, is the natural state of those who know... only beings of a like order can truly communicate. Editor's note: According to the Course's definitions, prayer is asking, and those who have everything do not pray, as such; instead, they live in constant communion with God: "There can be no greater mistake than that, for love is incapable of asking for anything." But, consider this: "communion," not "praying to get," is also our natural state with all brothers and sisters, and especially with one's Twin Soul.
[God] has never failed to answer [any] request [made by the "true self"] because it asks only for what He has already willed. Those who call truly are always answered.
I will come in response to a single unequivocal call.
Watch carefully and see what it is you are really asking for [that is, are your prayers just expressions of the ego's neediness of never having enough?] ... If you will really try to do this, you have taken the first step toward preparing your mind for the Holy [Spirit] to enter.
It is not necessary to tell Him [God] what to do. He cannot fail. Where He can enter [to effect what you desire], there He is already.
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