Better Living Includes Prayer

Scripture Reading

James 5:16 (ERV)

“So always tell each other the wrong things you have done. Then pray for each other. Do this so that God can heal you. Anyone who lives the way God wants can pray, and great things will happen.”

Definition:

Prayer - Communion with God. 

Forgiveness - Metaphysically speaking is to ‘give for’. It is an exchange as in ‘the ability to give good in return for evil’. Forgiveness is also to release or put back something we are holding that doesn’t belong to us.

Traditionally, Forgiveness is to: 1. Cease to feel angry or resentful towards; pardon (an offender or offence); 2. Remit or let off (a debt or debtor).

Introductory Remarks:

When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he included forgiveness. The two, prayer and forgiveness, go hand in hand. Without forgiveness, there is no prayer. Without prayer, you won’t forgive.

Major Points of the Lesson:

1. When you pray, you gain access to the good that unforgiveness blocks.
2. Prayer releases you from bondage to mistakes of the past and feelings of blame, shame, and guilt. When you speak words of release, you start the action of forgiveness or giving up [the false for the true].
3. Forgive yourself. Pray for yourself.
4. Forgiveness is for you. Others must know this too. Pray for others, but they must find their own way. 
5. Prayer empowers us to release the ‘hot stuff’ we are holding on to.
6. Prayer strengthens you to let go so that God can work things out in Divine Order. 

The Holy Spirit reveals:

• Whether separation or reconciliation is the preferred outcome;
• That it is never too late to forgive;
• That forgiveness never asks you to put yourself or another in harm's way. 

Quote:

Prayer helps you to release the burdens you carry. ‘‘The act of release helps you to become an open, receptive channel through which the intelligence of the universe can flow to you to cleanse your life of worn-out relationships and conditions and make way for your new, expanded good.”
- Dr. Mary A Tumpkin

ASSIGNMENT:

Continue to forgive following Charles Fillmore’s, Sure Remedy . Pray to determine if you are to Release, Reconcile with or Make a Peace Agreement with the perceived offender. The Holy Spirit knows what is best for you.