The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
The ODA T reading for January 22 speaks about praying, and that what we pray for may not be what we truly need. The reading points out we are only able to see a little way and our vision is clouded by our present situation, in the happenings and distractions of our lives. If the problems we have to face are beyond our endurance,we don't have to explain them to God he already knows. You don't have to tell him what he Is expected to do about our difficulties. He knows what is best for us. When we are faced with anything that is not in our power to do our decide ,we need to ask God to show us what steps to take. This is prayer not to ask anything but guidance. The reminder suggests that all true prayer somehow confesses our absolute dependence on God. This is a vital contact with is when we pray that we really are
The quote is from Shakespeare Anthony and Cleopatra; "we ignorant of ourselves, beg often our own harm, which the wise power denies us for our own good, so we find profit by losing of our prayers"
Great page, thank you for sharing, Betty. This concept helps me so much when I let go of the outcomes and turn it over to my higher power. I am so glad I did not get everything I tried to make happen or wanted strongly. Especially without the program, most of what I tried to make happen was the opposite of healthy and helpful to myself or others.
Grateful that the world does not spin on my command, and a power greater than myself denie(d/s) me for my own good
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Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
Good afternoon all - thanks for the ESH above me Paul & Betty. Thank you Betty for your service.
I was raised to pray, but missed the instruction about God's will vs. my will. So - I prayed for outcomes that aligned with my will and then was frustrated when the outcome was not aligned accordingly. It took an open mind and recovery to help me see that I'm exactly where I am supposed to be and that I've not ever been abandoned - I have always gotten what I truly needed, even if it was not what I wanted.
I have gotten better about prayer also. I now consider my prayer as a discussion with another - not a request to or of someone in higher authority than me. I had to learn how to pray for God's will and leave the results alone.
So grateful for all the ESH from those before me and the program! Make it a great day!
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
