"PRAYER"
From: "As Bill Sees It" p. 321 - Grapevine, June 1958
"RESULTS OF PRAYER"
"As the doubter tries the process of prayer,
he should begin to add up the results.
If he persists, he will almost surely find more serenity,
more tolerance, less fear, and less anger.
He will acquire a quiet courage,
the kind that isn't tension-ridden. "
"RESULTS OF PRAYER"
"As the doubter tries the process of prayer,
he should begin to add up the results.
If he persists, he will almost surely find more serenity,
more tolerance, less fear, and less anger.
He will acquire a quiet courage,
the kind that isn't tension-ridden. "
I believe in the power of prayer. I believe because I have personally experienced the results of prayer. In the beginning, at the point of total surrender, I had three things going for me; AA, a sponsor, and prayer.
The early results of praying were the ability to finally surrender to alcohol, my willingness to allow God to call the shots (I stopped trying to figure out how to stay sober - I didn't know how), and I managed to stay sober one day at a time even though I had no personal emotional, mental, or spiritual assets and very difficult circumstances when I returned home from treatment.
Every time someone would "push my button" (when I would normally take a drink in response), I would quietly turn away, go to another room, shut the door, get on my knees, and ask God to help me. He always did - I didn't drink!
As time went by and I continued to practice prayer, I began to have a little less fear, began to trust a little more that things would turn out O.K. even though I didn't know how that could happen. I ended up divorced (I didn't believe in divorce) - it needed to happen. There was such turmoil and upset with the kids (broke my heart), but I was powerless to change that too. Eventually, we all came to terms with the situation in one way or another. Tensions in the home lessened.
Courage and serenity were a little longer in coming, but with time they did begin to grow in me. By following the directions of my sponsor, working the steps, going to meetings, praying, and listening to those who were working the program and whose lives were improving, I began to improve as well. It was difficult and it was slow, but it happened.
Thank God!
8 comments:
Hey PG, love your post today. Prayer is powerful. Just doing it, never mind if they are answered or not. I always end my prayers with "and let thy will, not mine be done."
Thanks for sharing a little of how you came to be where you are today.
You give good direction and hope for those still unsure.
the 'results of prayer' are simply wow and so very accurate.
I am learning the power of prayer. I find myself stopping what I'm doing several times a day to talk with God. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thank you.
I'm starting to pray more and more. I used to pray all the time and then I stopped because I didn't feel that God even listened. Now I know differently.
Hi PG, I felt like this post was for me! You're not reading my mind or anything, are you??
I'd like to make praying a habit. Somehow, like going to an Alanon meeting, it's still on my "todo" list (four letter word).
Thanks PG.
Hi PG, just saw your comment on my blog. I liked the phrase you used--"lost in the trappings of prayer".
Thanks for all of this.
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