If the only prayer you ever say in your whole life is “Thank you,” that would suffice. ~ Meister Eckhart

We chose that title deliberately, knowing we might risk the wrath of some folks. But if you think about it, what do people usually pray for? And why?

Spirit

Those two questions Johnny asked above are meant to get you thinking about prayer, and the reasons you pray. It sounds radical, but we support the notion of not praying. Let us explain.

Having said that, however, we do endorse Meister Eckhart’s notion of prayer. It certainly is not the way humans normally think of prayer. It is that mistaken human idea of prayer we wish to address here today.

If you pray, you are likely soliciting God—or whatever you consider to be a “higher power”—for something you need or want. That’s how most humans pray. Let’s play with that idea for a moment.

We believe all humans, all that exists in your physical world (and beyond, actually), are simply extensions of divinity. They are literally part of God.

We realize there are other ways of describing so-called “higher” powers — Goddess, all that is, divine being, etc. But, for simplicity’s sake, we’ll use “God” here today.

When we say someone or something is part of God, what does that mean to you? Do you see yourself as part of God, with all the powers and qualities of divinity?

Most of you do not. Therefore, when you pray (if you do), you are begging a power greater than you to bring you what you need or want.

So prayer, as most humans do it, is a limited, self-centered activity. It’s also limited in the sense you are denying your own identity. You are denying who you really are. As Johnny’s dear friend and brother, James Twyman, says, “There is no relationship between what is real and what you think is real.”

You think you are limited beings with limited power, or none at all. That is the illusion. The reality is you are God.

We realize that may sound fanciful, or even blasphemous to some. But you’ve heard it said “All things are possible with God.” You are God. So there is nothing you cannot do. Your imagined limitations are just that—imagined.

Therefore, when you use prayer to get something you need or want, you’re “missing the mark.” Your goal has already been reached. You have all you think you need or want within you. There is nothing you need or want outside of you, certainly not in the world you thinkyou see out there.

Joel Goldsmith, another of Johnny’s favorite spiritual teachers, says there is nothing outside you.

When you achieve that conscious awareness of already having all you need or want, then you will truly know you have it all.

There is nothing to seek and nothing to find. Everything is within you. Your quest is over.

So do you now see the wisdom of Meister Eckhart’s words above? The only prayer you ever need is “Thank you.”

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I love this video, Is Prayer Actually Effective? I realize, like our post above, some folks may consider it controversial. But whether you do or do not, I think you’ll find it interesting. It’s based on a large scientific study conducted at Harvard University.