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 %ADDICT CONTROL PRAYER RESPONSIBILITY CAUSE EFFECT 930212

     Often  our  conceptions  of the nature of prayer  are
guided  by addictive attitudes and preoccupations.  Prayer
is  often regarded as a technical  procedure  intended  to
lead to the achievement of some goal.  We may believe  and
feel  that through  prayer we can cause certain effects to
occur. If we believe that through prayer have the power to
cause  good  goals to  be  achieved---then  we  have   the
responsibility to exercise that power appropriately.

     The  addictive/management conception of the nature of
prayer is misleading;  it leads us into tragic efforts and
relationships.   The  more  powerful we believe  that  our
prayer may be---the more  responsibility  we  have  to  be
diligent  in  prayer to insure that we contribute our fair
share to the human  efforts to insure that all goes  well.
God  cannot do it alone.  God needs our prayer efforts  to
help him manage the  universe.  If we do not pray properly
and diligently, then the universe will go to hell.

     There  are other ways in which we may regard  prayer;
ways which are less likely to mislead us. In prayer we may
come together  honestly in the presence of God to honestly
discover   ourselves  and  each  other,   and  to   create
integrative  relationships,   people and communities.   In
prayer  we may come to know ourselves and each other  more
openly and honestly than we have in the past. In prayer we
may transcend our collusions,  addictions and manipulative
patterns  of control and rebellion.  Through prayer we may
not  achieve much;  and yet through prayer we may learn to
walk humbly in  the  ways of mercy  which will fulfill our
potentials and our relationships.

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