True prayer embraces the following steps;

1. Relaxation
2. Concentration
3. Meditation

The above creates the ability for one to enter into the silence. In the “silence” one can then be still and begin to listen within.

The above steps are taken to enter the silence where GOD dwells and where we hear the “still small voice.”

The mystics write that prayer is the ability to listen. Not beseeching a far away GOD for material desires. 

Spiritual prayer is where we contact the “still small voice,” with its words of inspiration, love, wisdom, where we contact and receive the joyful gifts that spirit has given to mortal man for the ages, gifts that have been received by those generations that have had the ability to become still and listen.

It has been written that religious prayer includes

1. Prayer to a nearsighted GOD, who is perhaps a little deaf
2. Prayer to a GOD who is stuck on a throne in a heaven dealing out evil as well as good
3. Prayer that talks at GOD
4. Prayer that talks about GOD to GOD
5. Prayer that you must beg GOD to intercede on your behalf.

The above prayer never gives GOD a chance to speak back to the one who is praying.  If we could be quiet and listen we would hear the way. We would be assured of the presence of GOD.  We must be still and know.  For many of us, being still is the most difficult. We live in an age where we want immediate results.  In a word we have become technology junkies, click and point and receive.  For many, prayer does not work that way.

We must relax before prayer. The term of setting our intention has been clearly used and misused by many – but here the example of setting our intention is clearly used to define the one single purpose for prayer and that is gratitude.

We must concentrate not on a material object or a want or desire – for GOD knows all of those effects, but we must concentrate solely on GOD.  This seems so simple yet, for many this is a very difficult stance because of the expectations that arise when we say the word “GOD.”  God in religious terms can mean – my get out of jail free card.  The entity that will get my rent paid, the entity that will get me a new job, the entity that will bring my lover back, the entity that will smite my enemies, the entity that will revenge me and on and on that is not the spiritual GOD that responds to spiritual man.

We must concentrate on who or what that term means for us and meditate on the term until we get the awareness – feeling – the presence of “GOD,”  which is spirit, which is love that surpasses understanding. Until you can understand the nature of GOD and remove the religious GOD from your intellect it has been written that it is doubtful that your prayers will be responded to.

Remember GOD is a spirit. Man is a spiritual being.  Spiritual man must connect with its spiritual presence through spiritual means, not material.

Again, relax – let go of the material thoughts of GOD, concentrate and know who and what you are praying too and mediate on GOD before you pray. This will bring you into the CHRIST consciousness.