A Heartfelt Prayer

I just wanted to put this here today so that you would all know that I have not forgotten you. Maybe some of you would benefit by sharing this. I repeat it daily, in the hope that some inspiration may come to illuminate my life, and show me the path I may take. Of course, I will always appreciate with gratitude any prayers you may offer on my behalf. Thank you for reading this. Shalom.

Dear Papa Theo,
I treasure your holy name in heaven.
Father, I give myself to you without reserve,
trusting what you would have me to become.
Help me to follow you each day,
and bless me both now and forever.
Give me what I shall need to prosper,
and forgive my weaknesses and failures.
Lead me away from temptations, and
rescue me from those who would hurt me.
Expand my understanding and influence,
that I may fulfill the destiny you plan.
Let me see people as you see them,
and the world as it should be.
Thank you for your promises of power, grace and faith,
and for your strength and peace in the hour of my need.
And thank you for your caring and all you do for me,
even if I may not see it.
So let it be according to your will,
Amen.

Father, send your angels to defend me,
and strengthen the gates of my mind,
that I may not be influenced by evil. Amen.

A Statement of Intent:

I wish to explore and discuss the reality at the heart of all religions.
I have thought about this a lot, for many years, and I have developed a few
conclusions and opinions. Many of these may be controversial, or maybe not...

I expect to open a number of subjects for discussion.
Please feel free to comment on any of these:

1. Mystical experience: there are several varieties, including enlightenment
as well as prophetic visions and personal inspiration.

2. Practical ideals: I have discerned these in the world's various sacred literatures
and Scriptures - Truth, Freedom, Love and Wisdom. I feel that they are the
foundations of morality, and the priorities that God wishes us to pursue.

3. Silence: including meditation and worship. The unlimited Way can only be
followed in the silence of one's own heart.

4. Virtue: the transformation of one's character to reflect the perfection of God.
Muslims call this the interior jihad, and it is truly a great struggle.

5. Community: God always wants us to reach out to others in His name, both for
our own fulfillment and for His joy.

6. Creation: this is a very deep subject. God wants us to respect and enjoy his, and
to find the talents He gave us for our participation in this activity.

7. Reconciliation: Clearly there is much that is amiss in this world. Thus we have
the concept of sin. We need to bridge the alienation between ourselves and God,
other persons and Nature. Thankfully, God is ready with His grace to help.

8. Prayer: How do we pray so that we, and God, get the most out of the encounter?
What does God want to hear and to say to us, and what does he want us to get from it?
Are there some secrets that the Masters know better than the rest of us?

As far as I have read in the world's various Scriptures, and I have least dabbled in
most of them, these are the central topics of most interest to God and to ourselves.
The differences are mostly cultural and/or due to differences of the personalities or
agendas of the prophets.

Of course, if you wish to suggest a new topic, feel free to email me, and I may take
it up in a future entry. Even now, I can think of a couple more... Apocalypticism,
and the Afterlife. Hmmm... more to come. I hope to hear your views as mine emerge
here. Variety and harmony also please our God.

May He bless you always with His Presence and His merciful guidance.