Spirit Teachings
Prayer and its benefits.
How it works and what it does.
"You know not in your cold earth atmosphere, so chilling, so repellent to spirit life, how the magnetic rapport between your spirit and the guides who wait to bear its petition upwards is fostered by frequent prayer. It is as though the bond were tightened by frequent use; as though the intimacy ripened by mutual association. You would pray more did you know how rich a spiritual blessing prayer brings. Your learned sages have discussed much of the value of prayer, and have wandered in a maze of opinion, befogged and ignorant of the real issue. They do not know--how could they?--of the angel messengers who hover round ready to help the spirit that cries to its God. They know not of the existence of such, for they cannot test their presence by human science in its present state; and so, with crude effort, they would reduce the results of prayer to line and measure. They try to gauge its results, and to estimate its effect by the compilation of statistics. And still they find themselves in difficulty, for though they grasp the shell, the spirit eludes their ken. Such results are not to be so measured, for they are imperceptible by man's science. They are spiritual, varying in various cases: different as are the agencies at work.
"Frequently it is the unspoken petition which is not granted that is the cause of richest blessing to the praying soul. The very cry of the burdened spirit shot forth into the void--a cry wrung out by bitter sorrow--is an unknown relief. The spirit is lightened, though the prayer is not granted in the terms of its petition. You know not why: but could you see, as we see, the guardians labouring to pour into the sorrow-laden soul the balm of sympathy and consolation, you would know whence comes that strange peace which steals over the spirit, and assures it of a sympathising and consoling God. The prayer has done its work, for it has drawn down an angel friend: and the bursting heart, crushed with its load of care and sorrow, is comforted by angel sympathy.
"This,
the magnetic sympathy which we can shed around those with whom we are in close
communion, is one of the blessed effects which can be wrought by the cry of
a human soul reaching upward to its God. And under no other conditions can the
full blessedness of spirit intercourse be realised. It is the spirit that is
most spiritualised that alone can enter into the secret chambers where the angels
dwell. It is to the soul that lives in frequent communion with us that we are
best able to come nigh. This, friend, is invariable: another part of that unchangeable
law which governs all our intercourse with your world. To the spiritual soul
come, in richest measure, spiritual gifts.
"Nor is it always the answer which man in his ignorance expects that is the truest response to his petition. Many times to grant his request would be to do him grievous harm. He has asked ignorantly, petulantly, foolishly: and his prayer is unheeded in its request: but it has availed to place his spirit in communion with an intelligence which is waiting an opportunity of approach, and which can minister to him strength and consolation in his necessity.
" 'Twere well if men would more strive to live a life of prayer. Not the morbid life of devotion falsely so called, which consists in neglecting duty and in spending the precious hours of the probation of life in morbid self-anatomy: in developing unhealthy self-scrutiny: in idle, dreamy contemplation, or in forced and unreal supplication. The life of prayer is far other, as we advise it. Prayer to be real must be the heart-cry, spontaneous and impulsive, to friends who hover near. The fancy of a prayer to the ear of an ever-present God who is willing to alter unalterable laws in response to a capricious request has done much to discredit the idea of prayer altogether. Believe it not! Prayer--the spontaneous cry of the soul to its God through the friends who, it knows, are near, and are ever ready to catch up the unuttered petition and bear it upwards and ever upwards till it reach a power that can respond--this is no matter of formal preparation. It consists not in any act of outward show. It is not necessarily syllabled in utterance: far less is it trammelled by conventional form, or bound up in stereotyped phraseology. True prayer is the ready voice of spirit communing with spirit: the cry of the soul to invisible friends with whom it is used to speak: the flashing along the magnetic line a message of request which brings, swift as thought, its ready answer back.
"It is the placing of a suffering soul in union with a ministering spirit who can soothe and heal. It needs no words, no attitude, no form. It is truest when these are absent, or at least unstudied. It needs but a recognition of a near guardian, and an impulse to communion. To this end it must be habitual: else, like the limb long disused, the impulse is paralysed. Hence, it is those of you who live most in the spirit who penetrate deepest into the hidden mysteries. We can come nearest to them. We can touch hidden chords in their nature which vibrate only to our touch, and are never stirred by your world's influences. 'Tis they who reach highest in their earth-life, for they have learned already to commune with spirit, and are fed with spiritual food. For them are opened mysteries closed to more material natures: and their perpetual prayer has wrought for them this at least, that they live above the sufferings and sorrows from which it cannot exempt them, seeing that such are necessary to their development.
"Alas! alas! we speak of that which is little known. Were this grand truth better realised, man would live in the atmosphere of the pure and elevated spirits. His spiritual attitude would drive from him the base and baleful influences which too often beset those who pry unbidden into mysteries that are too high for them, and which, alas! beset and annoy even the best at times. If it prevailed not to obtain exemption, it would provide protection, and do more to strengthen us than all else that man could do. It would avail more to sanctify the acts, to purify the motives, and to keep alive the reality of spirit communion than anything which we know of.
"Pray, then; but see that you pray not with formality, heartlessly, and with unreal supplication. Commune with us in communion of the spirit. Keep a single eye to the issues of such communion as respect your own spirit. The rest will follow in due course. Leave abstruse and perplexing questions of man's theological controversy, and keep close to the central truths which so intimately affect the well-being of your spirit. The vain bewilderments which man has cast around the simplicity of truth are manifold. Nor is it for you to disentangle them, nor to decide what is or is not essential in that which has hitherto been revealed. You will learn hereafter to view much that you now regard as vitally essential truth, rather as a passing phase of teaching which was necessary for those to whom it was given. It is human weakness that impels you to rush to the end. You must tarry, friend, tarry long yet in the early searchings before you reach the goal. You have much to unlearn before you can penetrate all mysteries."
Prayer for the dead.
Of the power of prayer to assist unhappy spirits, S. M. writes:
"I have had long personal experience of spirits who habitually
came and asked for prayer. I have heard of such cases from others. They
have repeatedly expressed themselves as benefited by prayer, and by association
with spirits on a higher plane of progression than themselves. They are
elevated and blessed by such intercourse. Who shall say that is not sufficient
reward for any little trouble we may take, or annoyance we may suffer, from
the presence of these undeveloped spirits?"
What hope of progress?
"Yes; there is hope. Already there stirs within him the consciousness of sin. He sees dimly through the spiritual gloom how foolish and how wicked was his life. He begins to wake to some faint knowledge of his desolation, and to strive for light. Hence he remains near you. You must help him though at your own cost."
Willingly; but how?
"By
prayer first. By fostering the dawnings of the higher life. By allowing the
unhappy spirit to breathe the higher atmosphere of work. His spirit knows not
what that pure and bracing atmosphere is. You must teach him, though his presence
be unpleasant to you. You have summoned him, and he comes obedient to your call.
You must bear with him now. You cannot undo what you have done in spite of us
and of our wishes. Your consolation must be that you will be engaged in a work
that is blessed."
Prayer for enlightenment.
"Pray, in company with us, for enlightenment and patience; for power to see and for grace to follow the truth. Pray that you may be released from the fetters of dogmatism which would bind your aspiring soul; and that being released you may be guided in your upward progress, lest you soar and fall. Pray that the influence of others may be separated from your own soul's wants; that you may have grace to choose the right, and to leave others to select what they find suitable for them. Pray that you may realise clearly the responsibility of choice or rejection, and that you may be saved, on the one hand, from obstinate prejudice, and, on the other, from hasty acceptance. And, above all, pray for honesty, sincerity, and humility, that you may not mar God's work by pride, by obstinacy, or by unworthiness.
"And our prayers shall join with yours to draw down an answering message of
love and consolation from those who watch on high, in anxious expectations of
the spread of Divine Truth. We have answered so much of your objection as relates
to the general outcome of the movement at large. We have shown you that deep
down below the surface there is a something which does not meet the eye. As
in the days of the development of the knowledge of God, in whatever age it may
occur, there are many silent devotees of whom the world knows little, who grow
steadily up to more and more perfect knowledge, so we have told you it is now.
Many there are, very many, who deplore the unlicensed vagaries which shock and
distress them, but which have no power to alter or diminish the faith which
is founded on experience. "
"Pray rather, pray to the Great Father that He will bless your work, and
allow us to guide you still. Pray that your spirit may be raised from the cold,
cheerless atmosphere of earth to commune with the bright intelligences that
wait to instruct you. Few have been so tended; shall it be that few have so
little benefited? Our prayer shall mingle with yours that such may not be, but
that you may be protected from influences of ill, bodily and spiritual, and
that you may be led on to higher fields of knowledge and to clearer and more
perfect trust.
"Father!--Eternal, Infinite, All-wise--we draw near to Thee, and lay before
Thee our petitions, knowing that Thou dost hear us and wilt answer our prayers.
Eternal God, remove from our path the bars and clogs that hinder and hamper
us. Loving Father, shed into the doubting heart a beam of light to illumine
the dark corners, and to drive out the lurking foe. Mighty Master, bear down
to us that consolation which we need in our labour. Great the labour, great
must be the love. Great is the work, great must be the power. Grant it, Almighty
Power! and to Thee will we render our praises. Before Thee we will testify of
our grateful adoration, and to Thee will we bring the free-will offering of
our loving homage. Glory and blessing and honour and praise be to Thee from
angel and spirit through Thy universe!"
Prayer for the sick.
S. M. who is in Ireland, desires to help a sick friend.
"We are not able to use the influence which you generate beyond
a certain distance; nor are we able to overcome the obstacles which oppose
us in reaching those around whom the influence is contrary.
"You
may do much by earnest prayer; not for what you think best, but for the ministry
of good angels round the suffering body. Pray for that, and your prayers may
be potent alike in sickness or in death. In sickness spirit ministers may alleviate
when human help fails. They have power, when they can reach the sufferer, to
do very much to alleviate, and to keep up the vital forces which make for recovery
of bodily strength, and, if the spirit is to go to its new life, it is even
more desirable that we should be enabled to provide friends who shall receive
and welcome it, and guide it amid its new and strange surroundings.
"In any case, neglect not to offer up earnest and active prayer
for blessings which spirits can minister. Did ye know the power of prayer,
ye would use it more. Not as vain man prays for that which he thinks best,
but for the ministry of those who can soothe his sorrows, alleviate his
woes, and bring down blessings on him, richer than any he can picture."
"We know little of the effect of prayer, and are neglectful
I know."
"Yes, it were better that man should know that spirits surround
him ever, and that they can become to him the ministers of blessing, if
he will, no less than the agents of mischief, if he places himself in
the power of the undeveloped."
Prayer for protection and guidance.
"Friend, we invoke for you the ministry of consolation and the
protection of the Supreme.
"Thou Adorable and Ineffable Creator, Sustainer and Guide of the
spirit, Helper of all that cry to Thee, we approach Thee in confidence
and trust, in the spirit of humility and love.
"Father, receive Thy children who flee to Thee for succour. Tossed
on the sea of doubt, bereft of rudder and compass, they have no help
but in Thee. Thine is the power. Thine the love. O in the plentitude
of that love stretch out Thy power to save them. Suffer the angels of
comfort and hope to minister around them. Shed into their hearts the
power of conviction and faith. May the rich stream of assurance flow
into their spirits, uniting them in heart to those who, themselves unseen
though not unfelt, minister to them, raising their souls to higher planes
of progress, and fitting them for the reception of nobler and purer
truths.
"Spirit of Truth, inspire them! Spirit of Hope, enable them! Spirit
of Harmony, dwell in their midst!
"Oh, Loving, Tender Father, grant them the benediction of Thy
Peace. Amen.
"The prayer, heartfelt and earnest, of Imperator S.D."
....
Of the following prayer, which is signed: "I.
S. D. and many others." S. M. is told: "The words
were the language of the Chief who wrote it through your hand by means
of Rector, as being more accustomed to do so."
"The exalted Intelligences, who have been permitted to manifest to you,
have commissioned me to write for you a prayer which we have composed for you,
as the expression of the wishes and aspirations of our spirits; and as a fitting
model for the frame of mind in which you should join us in approaching the great
God. It is well that you attune your devotions to the adoration of the angels.
Meditate on the prayer, and use it as a model for your own devotions. Ye know
little of prayer as we know.
"Eternal Father, Supreme, All-Mighty Lord! Pour down on these Thy waiting
children the spirit of Thy love, that they may be in harmony with Thee, and
with Thy holy angels and ministering spirits. Grant them, Thou God of Truth,
the spirit to follow on even to the end the pursuit of Truth, which comes from
Thee and is of Thee.
"Unchanging, Eternal Lord! Grant them the spirit of zeal and
earnestness, that they may with unwavering purpose reach onward and
upward to Thee, the Fountain of eternal Light.
"Thou pure Spirit! Keep them unspotted and unstained. Cleanse
their thoughts, purify their motives, elevate their desires.
"Spirit of Wisdom! Make them grow in wisdom and in knowledge,
and still to thirst for more.
"God of all graces! Shower on them the plentitude of those gifts which
Thou seest to be profitable for them. Eradicate error, strengthen love of truth,
inspire knowledge, infuse charity, and increase progression, that each in some
sort may join with us Thy ministering angels and spirits, in the harmonious
anthem of ceaseless praise.
"Glory and honour and adoration be to Thee, Supreme, All-loving, All-holy
God."
Prayer given by direct spirit writing at the close
of a seance:
"Mighty God, strengthen our work amongst men, that the adversaries
may no more prevail.
"Spirit of Love, shed abroad charity and goodwill amongst
mankind!
"Spirit of Wisdom, pour forth Thy God-like gifts upon this
earth!
"Spirit of Knowledge, be amongst them, a Guide and Teacher
of Truth!
"Spirit of Power and Holiness, keep Thy children pure and
free from taint of conscious sin. May they realise their blessings,
their helps, their difficulties and dangers; and do Thou, Great
Father, keep us and them. May they be enabled now always to strive
on in faith and hope and love; looking for future progress in the
knowledge of Truth."
Prayer during world-crisis.
"The spiritual atmosphere is now much disturbed, and the clouds
do not seem to lift. It is from your world that the darkness chiefly
comes, and it would appear that trouble is at hand. Men never pass
from an inferior state to a superior state without great and intense
distress, the throes and agony of a new birth."
"You live in an age of dire disturbance. There are hopes in
the future, but between now and then there is the shadow of death.
In the far future, the listening ear can catch the notes of the
angels, and their hymn is the anthem of peace."
"You are now living in an epoch of great spiritual outpouring,
like that which occurred when the Lord Jesus dwelt among men. Even
in this present epoch the light may wane, but we do not think so.
The hour is at hand when the world of spirit will have far more
power over your sphere than at any time of which you are conscious.
Much doubt and difficulty will arise from this. Everything on your
earth is now (May, 1875) in a disturbed condition, the external
evidence of the internal forces of which we are to you the exponents.
Unfortunately, the lower powers can counterfeit almost everything
we can produce. The human race is morally, mentally and physically
diseased, and requires for these diseases long treatment."
"The Christ has recently returned from the Spheres of Contemplation,
and is now specially acting on your world.
"Since we last spoke with you a crisis has taken place in
the Spheres of Contemplation, and they have now been placed in communication
with us. The highest spirits have again undertaken active mission
work in your world. Be patient, earnest and prayerful, seeking for
the Truth, and ever regarding the army of spirits as the messengers
of the Supreme, who are now camped around you.
"May the All-Wise and loving Father pour down through us on
you the plenitude of His benediction, that each and all of us may
be so raised and elevated by the work in which we are engaged, that
hereafter we may attain to those regions which are the Footstool
of His Throne. Farewell."
(Philosophus controlling: )
"The leaders of thought in your world have lost all faith
in prayer. At this time it is very necessary; not merely conventional
prayers, but a bending of the will, and asking the assistance of
the higher spirits. Prayer must be the earnest cry of the spirit
which knows it can bring a friend to its aid, and not mere recitation
of a certain form of words."
(Imperator followed, saying: )
"The present crisis demands earnest prayer; and by prayer
we do not mean that curious recitation of ancient formularies which
pass current among Christians as an address to the Deity. There
need be no outward act; the cry of the troubled soul is enough to
bring help and comfort in time of need. Prayer should be merely
aspiration-the striving after a high ideal by means of the spiritual
assistance of the guardians around you. Prayer does not reach within
the Sphere of Contemplation."
Back to home page for other topics.
