Transformation Through Prayer: How Prayer Has Truly Changed My Life

Prayer is a powerful tool that can lead to significant positive changes in one's life. When used effectively, it has the ability to foster personal growth, healing, and spiritual transformation. This journey of transformation can be seen in both personal and communal settings, as seen through the experiences of many individuals, including my own.

Prayer and Personal Growth

Effective prayer doesn't just ask for comfort or relief; it is a catalyst for change. In my experience, prayer that is centered around seeking a deeper connection with the divine and asking for an abundance of grace and light can lead to a profound positive transformation in one's life. This type of prayer often includes a desire for good to conquer evil, truth to conquer falsehood, and peace to overcome fear and disquiet. It encapsulates a belief in the eternal and everlasting nature of life and love, which can be a powerful source of hope and peace.

Father grant me an abundance of thy Grace and live and light and divine life as whereby all things are made possible unto man that- Good conquers evil!! Right conquers wrong! Knowledge conquers ignorance! Truth conquers falsehood! Peace conquers fear and disquiet! Light conquers darkness!! Love Eternal and everlasting conquers Hate and that Life eternal abundant and Everlasting will conquers All Death that all Arms be made to laid to rest forevermore and that the holy name of God be written in Holy fire upon the hearts and minds of all mankind for thou Art the same Lord whose nature it is to alway have mercy - Father in the mercy hear my prayer! AMEN.

Such prayers are not just requests; they are declarations of faith and trust in the power of the divine. When one consistently practices this kind of prayer, they are likely to experience a deeper sense of happiness, blessing, upliftment, and peace.

Prayer and Healing

One personal example that speaks to the power of prayer is the miraculous story of my sister's baby. When a nurse had informed my sister that the pregnancy would not result in a healthy baby, my sister turned to prayer, saying the baby was going to live in Jesus' name. Against all odds, that baby is now a healthy seven-year-old, very smart, and an adorable addition to the family. This story showcases the potential of prayer to effect divine interventions in real-life situations.

Prayer and Overcoming Addictions

My own life also serves as an example of how prayer can lead to profound personal change. I grew up in a home where addiction was rampant, which created a challenging and sometimes painful childhood. My parents, both dealing with their own addictions, struggled with various life issues, including managing finances and resolving conflicts.

Desiring a solution to these temporary problems, I attended Al-anon meetings. Initially, I was skeptical and reluctant, thinking, "I'm not an addict or alcoholic. Why do I need to go to these meetings?" However, after being encouraged by a trusted family friend, I attended for six months just before entering college.

A meeting A what!! What are you crazy I'm not an addict or an alcoholic.

Through these meetings, I learned about the power of admitting powerlessness and seeking help from a Higher Power. I started praying the Lord's Prayer, the Peace Prayer of St. Francis, and the “Step 11 Prayer” in the morning and the Serenity Prayer at night. After six months of this practice, my views on prayer and spirituality began to evolve, leading me to explore other religious and philosophical traditions such as Quakerism, Classical Christian philosophy, and various Christian denominations.

Prayer and Religious Exploration

My journey of prayer led me to explore a wide range of religious and spiritual concepts. I read works by famous authors such as Alan Watts, Paul Tillich, Vladimir Lossky, and Emmett Fox. I also delved into texts from different religious backgrounds, including Judaism, Sufism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Daoism. This exploration helped me to form a belief in the understanding of a Higher Power in the universe that loves and watches over all things—the Abrahamic God, regardless of one's specific religious affiliation.

From there on I became very interested in the philosophy of religion and decided to minor in philosophy. I attended a Quaker meeting on the Cape where you sit in prayer and meditation for an hour. I read up on classical Christian philosophy and theology. I read up on various writings from Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, Lutheranism, Anglicanism, again the Quakers, and Methodism, and Orthodox Christianity/Eastern Catholicism one being a distinct church and the other being similar in nature just in union with Rome. I read the works of Alan Watts I just finished his doctoral thesis Behold the Spirit and Kallistos Ware, an Orthodox bishop from England, on The Power of the Name: The Jesus Prayer in Orthodox Spirituality.

This exploration into various religious and philosophical concepts reinforced my belief that prayer can bring about real and lasting change. Over time, I came to understand prayer as a means to deepen my connection with the divine and to seek to align my will with God's will more closely.

Conclusion

Prayer has not only helped me to overcome personal challenges but has also led me to a deeper and more meaningful understanding of spirituality. Through consistent and meaningful prayer, one can indeed experience profound transformation in one's life. It is not just about asking for help but about embracing a journey of faith and personal growth.

Remember, if you know how to pray effectively, you cannot help but be positively changed. Embrace the power of prayer, and let it lead you on a path of spiritual transformation and fulfillment.