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  %QUESTION ASK GOD PRAY TELL LISTEN ESCAPE COLLUDE 930123

     We  often  need  to broaden our  conception  of  what
prayer is, and what role prayer should play in our lives.

     Often  we think of prayer as a time in which we  tell
God  what  HE SHOULD DO to help us.  Not so  often  do  we
regard prayer  as a time in which to consider honestly  in
God's  presence  and/or  in each other's presence what our
situation is,  and how we might more honestly consider and
describe  our  situation---so  we might more honestly  and
wisely respond to what our situation actually is;   rather
than what we wish it were.

     Perhaps  we need to regard prayer as a time in  which
to  seek  to transcend  the  collusions,   addictions  and
codependencies  which imprison us.  Perhaps we need to  be
asking  questions in God's presence and seeking to  listen
to  hear God's responses to our questions.  Some of  those
questions might include:

     What  signs  are there that we  and  others  are  not
dealing honestly with our situations?

     Is there silence, when silence is inappropriate?

     Are  people keeping secret that which would be shared
openly and honestly in a healthy community?

     Are emotions shared openly and honestly; or hidden?

     Do we disagree with each other with mutual respect?

     Do we secretly keep score with negative emotions?

     Do we stumble from crisis to crisis?

     Do we forget the lessons of the past?

     Do we listen intently to each other with sympathy?

     Do  we learn from our mistakes,  and  share  what  we
learn?

     Are our personal relationships balanced and mutual?

     Do  we  describe  our own experiences to  each  other
openly and honestly?

     Do we conform with frustration, anger and resentment?

     Do  we truly respect people in positions of power and
authority?

     Do  we  feel that people in positions  of  power  and
authority abuse that which has been entrusted to them?

     Asking  such  questions  openly and honestly together
in  each  other's presence while in the  presence  of  God
could make quite a difference if we listen to answers from
God, and from each other!

                                                                                                                               
                         (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in      
                    (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)  
                                                                                                                               
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