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What People Are
Saying
Offbeat
Prayers for the Modern Mystic: Making
Life Easier Through Innovative Prayer
is a compilation of prayers I have written
over the years. They are my heartfelt
attempts to synthesize the human walk with
the Divine Mystery. A Course in Miracles states that
“prayer is the medium for miracles.” This
book is an expression of many offbeat prayer
forms including songs to help the reader
return to the original state of innocence.
It draws from my experiences of the
mystical, recovery and metaphysics. Even
when we are in the flow, life can be bumpy.
This book, which is “sincere but not
serious,” points to the joy that underlies
all life. Whether reading the book from
cover to cover or merely by opening to a
random page, the reader is sure to find
something to ease the tension of everyday
seriousness. It takes the reader on a
journey into the depths (doubt) and heights
(faith) of human emotion and spiritual
unfolding. I pray that the revelation of the
dark and the light side of life will bring
forth a deep remembering and move the reader
from the mundane to the miraculous.
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“I
love your book. It is filled with
so much wisdom.”
—Alan Cohen
Author of My
Father’s Voice
"Anne's
prayers are the real thing."
—Rev. Edwene Gaines
Author of The Four
Spiritual Laws of Prosperity
“When
Anne writes, she puts her essence on
paper. She knows when to bring humor
into matters and has the heart that
knows when to reach out and touch
your spirit. The words in her
prayers are love letters to God, and
her personal reflections regarding
her life are truly inspiring to all
seekers and those who hunger for a
greater picture.”
—PA’RisHA Elder
Wisdom Keeper of the
Eastern Band Cherokee |
“Thank
you for your book. I have been
reading it and experiencing a
shift at my core. I am feeling a
deep appreciation and affirmation
for others. It changed my
language—reading the prayers
changed my way of expressing
gratitude and affirmation to
others.”
—Barbara Owen
Spiritual Teacher,
Toronto, Canada
“I
bought 30 books and I gave one to
all my friends. Everyone should have
this book.”
—Helen Hutchison
Software Training,
Nacogdoches, TX |
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Introduction
My first experience with prayer was
when I was in the fifth grade. The
class was studying fire prevention,
and each student was given a fire
prevention ring. Mine had Smokey the
Bear on it. The ring was made of
brass, and to me it was beautiful. I
loved wearing it, even though it was a
little large for my finger.
One day, during recess on the school
playground, I lost my ring. It was a
large playground, and it would have
been easy for a small ring to be
ground into the soil. I was crushed.
The ring was nowhere to be found.
Still, I remained optimistic, and I
prayed: "God, please help me find the
ring." Not long afterwards, I did find
it. I was sure God had answered my
prayer.
As a teenager, I was very active in my
church, attending Sunday school and
church services every week. I loved
it. One Sunday, my belief system was
shattered by my Sunday School teacher,
who challenged my concept of God. She
said, “If your concept of God is still
a man with a white beard sitting up in
heaven, you had better start looking.”
A shooting pain went through my heart.
The teacher had pegged me and my view
of God. I felt silly and naive.
Inside, I said to myself, “If God
isn’t a man with a white beard, then I
don’t have a God.”
That day, at seventeen years of age, I
became an agnostic. Although I still
attended the classes and services, I
carried a deep wound of solitude. My
God no longer watched over me. The man
who had listened to years of, “Dear
God, bless mommy and daddy...” was
dead.
After graduating high school, I was
admitted to a Presbyterian college,
went to vespers, and attended church.
I married in 1968. My husband and I
moved from town to town so that he
could climb the corporate ladder. I
joined church after church, looking
for a place that felt right, but I was
fast reaching my emotional bottom.
My husband’s skyrocketing career in
the mortgage business came to an
abrupt halt when he was fired. We had
a four-bedroom house in a countryclub
subdivision, with a matching house
note. To fulfill my husband’s dream of
becoming a home builder, we moved to
Memphis, bought a small house, and put
our dream home on the market. It was
1973. The economy was undergoing a
recession and real estate sales were
at a standstill. We had a small baby,
two house payments, and no income. A
year later, our big house still had
not sold. The financial burden was
overwhelming.
Around that time, I began attending a
Sunday school class for adults. My
stringent spiritual regimen already
included meditation, breath work,
health food, yoga, and the study of
Eastern religion. Despite some strange
spiritual experiences, I had not yet
developed a personal relationship with
God. Who or what was the Divine,
anyway? The question was still a
mystery.
When the Sunday school teacher started
the first class by announcing that the
group would pray for anyone who had a
request, I was really taken aback. As
an adult, most of the praying I had
done in church was impersonal. I
recited the Lord’s Prayer or read
responsive readings. No one ever
offered to pray for me. I was filled
with both awe and skepticism at the
same time. Part of me found the idea
exciting; the other part thought it
was pure silliness.
I overcame my doubts and asked the
class to pray for our house to sell.
There hadn’t been a nibble on it for a
year. Later that week, the real estate
agent called about a prospective
buyer. I was astounded. The offer was
finalized, and my personal
relationship with God began. An odd
twist to the story: The house was
located nearly a hundred miles from
where I grew up - a great distance in
the South - but it sold to one of my
former high school classmates. That
was evidence enough for me of God’s
signature.
My next phenomenal experience with
prayer occurred in the mid-’80’s. By
then I had developed an awareness of
the source of my being. My prayer
style was more in terms of
affirmations than requests.
I was going through relationship hell.
The love of my life was leaving me,
but at the same time, he wouldn’t let
go. I was clinging to him and in the
throes of relationship-withdrawal
symptoms. It hurt so much that I
called my mom for help.
This in itself indicates how desperate
I was, because my mother had some
severe mental problems. She had
started losing her memory, and
sometimes her reasoning was mixed-up.
This day, however, her mind was clear.
She recounted the story of her breakup
and divorce with my father, that
sounded exactly like my situation,
down to the smallest details.
I asked her how she got out. Mom said
that when she wanted to quit smoking,
she had prayed to God to take away the
desire. The very next day, all of her
desire for cigarettes was gone, and
she quit cold turkey. My mother
believed the same power could release
her from the attachment to my father,
who wanted a divorce.
“I didn’t want him to go, but it was
hopeless and I knew it,” she told me.
“I was in great pain, so I prayed,
‘God, remove my need for this man.
Please give me the strength to let him
go.’” Within days, she found herself
able to detach herself from my dad.
Mom was ready for a divorce; her pain
was gone.
I wondered: Does God really answer
such simple prayers? In the abstract
relationship that I had developed with
the Divine, God the Father seemed like
an invalid concept to me. But there
was so much pain inside me. I began to
contemplate the question, “Does God
answer simple prayers?” I heard a word
bubbling up in my mind - Ishmael.
There was a man named Ishmael in the
novel Moby Dick, but that didn’t seem
to fit, so I looked up the name in my
Bible. Sure enough, the story of
Ishmael was there. It was about a man
who prayed to God, and his prayer was
answered. When I checked a
metaphysical dictionary, the
definition of Ishmael was, “God hears
and answers prayers.” I felt a power
rise up within me.
The phone rang. It was the man I
wanted to release. My mind was a
blank, but God spoke through me. I
heard my own voice, filled with
conviction and power, tell him: “I am
addicted to you. You are like a drug
to me. Every time you call or we
speak, I go to pieces. I need to get
sober. I do not want to see you or
talk to you for thirty days. I need
you out of my life.” Once again,
prayer had moved me beyond ordinary
reality into a land of miracles.
Prayers come in so many forms. There
are prayers of faith and praise. When
speaking these, we accept and glorify
the power that brings peace and joy to
our lives. There are prayers of
affirmation, where we speak statements
that help to manifest our dreams and
desires. There are also prayers of
petition, which comprise most of the
prayers in this book. In petition, we
ask God to help us out of a jam,
restore us emotionally, or take our
burdens away.
I do not believe that God is a bearded
man in heaven who helps us out of
jams. Nor do I believe that God is a
woman - although discovering a
feminine face of God in the Goddess
has brought me great joy. Still, there
is a helpless part of me. That part
needs to pray to a power greater than
myself that can restore me not only to
sanity, but to my original state of
innocence, well-being, and abundance.
I pray to God as if that source is
very personal and as if it responds to
me with much greater love and power
than a loving parent would give to a
child in need.
When I pray in that manner, when I get
honest and humble, I always am
released from the worry or anxiety and
restored to sanity.
Some sentences or phrases are used in
more than just one prayer. These words
represent some of my favorite
thoughts. I feel that good thoughts
are worth repeating. A wise teacher
once told me that if I kept hearing
the same things over and over, it was
a sign to pay attention.
When I read the Psalms, the inner
stirring I received was amazing. After
that, I prayed for two things on a
regular basis: for wisdom and for the
ability to write like the Psalmists.
This book is the result of my prayers.
In some small way, I believe that I
have become wiser, with the ability to
write prayers that can stir others. I
hope that in reading this book you can
be released, uplifted, and (in many
cases) amused. God bless you.
Chapter
One
Celebrations
to Start the Day
Our mind set in the morning can
determine the kind of day that we
will have. Every morning I pray for
those I love and for some I don’t
love so much at the time. Next I set
my intention for the day. “My
intention for today is to live a
joy-filled and abundant life.”
Setting the intention is like
rolling out the red carpet of
desire. Intentions pave the way for
the day. It’s a powerful custom.
Brain wave activity slows at night.
When we wake up, our minds are still
operating from a lowered frequency.
We go through an almost hypnotic
state as we emerge from sleep. The
mind is very vulnerable before and
after sleep. Whatever we see, hear,
and even think, goes directly to the
mind without protection. Our minds
need protection.
If you want to develop a state of
consciousness that supports peace of
mind, you will not want to listen to
radio or TV during these times.
Reading the newspaper before prayers
or meditation is also a detriment to
a firm state of mind. The morning
time is the ideal time for spiritual
practices such as prayer,
meditation, exercise, inspirational
reading, dream work, and
journalling. These prayers are
suitable for early morning prayer
and contemplation.
God's
Good Day
I thrill to the possibilities of
life today. I plan on unexpected and
unlimited good. I am prepared to
meet my good. I am filled with
enthusiasm, and I have an
enthusiastic outlook on life. The
outer world is a reflection of my
inner world, so I keep thoughts of
peace, health, abundance, and
gratitude in my mind.
Since my thoughts are creative, I
keep pictures of success in my mind.
Even though I walk through the
valley of the most embarrassing
thoughts, I will fear no evil,
because my intention is to live in
love - and I can count on grace to
deliver me from retribution. I
believe that unconditional good
showers my life and I am prepared to
live in my good. AMEN.
Perfect
Day Prayer
Today is my perfect day because I
choose to create it as perfect. I
choose peace by allowing Your will
to be in my life today. Dance
through me, God. Breathe through me.
Today you are my speaking and my
listening. I know that you go before
me, blessing each moment and
smoothing my path. I take delight in
participating in your Divine Plan. I
am surrounded by inner feelings of
fulfillment, abundance, and freedom.
Today is a turning point. Miracles
meet me wherever I go. I accept your
indwelling presence. My mind opens
to your wisdom. I feel safe and
innocent. I give myself permission
to relax, take breaks, and to have
fun.
Your voice calls out to me when I
forget, and I fall gently into your
loving arms, finding a peace so deep
and still that I am no longer
disturbed by the world.
Your inner Presence provides an
energy blessing wherever I go. My
friends and family are profoundly
touched by your love as it flows
through me. Today is my perfect day
because I choose to create it as
perfect. AMEN.
Have
You Made Your Leap Today?
Celebrate Leap Day
Today is an adventure, God; I had
forgotten. I have looked upon today
as if it was going to be just like
all the other days I have created.
No more. I will not chain this day
to my past beliefs. I set it free. I
free this day to be unknown. I free
this day to be a LEAP DAY, a day I
leap from the past into the present.
I am willing to let go of my humdrum
thoughts and to release my mind to
hum.
I am willing to concentrate more on
my “can do” list than on my “to do”
list. I am willing to concentrate
more on my “want to do” list than on
my “should do” list. I am willing to
be downright peaceful in the face of
my recycled drama. I am willing to
hold back more with my criticisms
and to more freely share my
compliments.
To make it short and simple, God, I
am willing and ready to change my
thoughts, attitudes, and belief
systems... today, tomorrow, and
every day. I am willing to take that
leap of faith every day and to be
open and expecting of my good. I am
willing to take that leap of faith
every day by expecting life to be
free, fun, and easy. Today I leap
into your love. I won’t look back.
Now is enough; Leap Day is here.
AMEN.
Prayer
for Today
God, I seek your wisdom. Give me
sanity, so that before I do and say
things I regret, I might stop to
think and make a meaningful decision
to keep my mouth shut and do
nothing. Give me the wisdom to not
jump to conclusions, and get upset
over meaningless mental mania...
especially when it’s the same old
stuff.
Help me not to freak out over things
that my mind has imagined. And God,
when there are emotions that need my
attention, help me to feel the
feelings necessary for relief. Keep
me out of emotional denial. Teach me
to grieve and to feel anger, fear,
and sadness. Keep me from blaming
others or treating them unmercifully
when I am upset. Help me to allow
others to feel their pain without me
showing them the “bright side” or
spouting some metaphysical sweetism
that really means “Shut up and don’t
feel that; I can’t handle your
feelings.”
Give me the wisdom to know the
difference between someone who
genuinely needs my compassion and
someone who is milking the same
drama for the umpteenth time. It
takes a lot of listening to know
when to speak to or when to listen
to others.
Give me the patience to stay tuned
into your will in all situations.
God, there are so many bugga-buggas
in our culture. It’s not OK to feel
certain feelings or to talk openly
about sex, money, mental illness,
AIDS, or alternate lifestyles. Give
me the wisdom to know when to break
the rules of denial by speaking out
for sanity and openness. And beyond
all, Lord, teach me to feel the
intoxication of your love. AMEN.
Prayer
of Splendor
I praise this day and make it holy.
I give thanks for another day during
which I depend on God. This day, God
will light my soul with passion and
pluck my heartstrings until Divine
music floods my everything. Today
God bestows my encounters with
wisdom.
God’s smile flashes before my
everything, inviting me to a path
that is gentle and loving. I am
swept through this day with support
and affection. This morn I focus on
the light within that moves my body,
feeds my mind, and provides for my
every need. I receive the abundance
God offers me and rejoice in all of
its manifestations. I accept God’s
love in my life by receiving God’s
inheritance.
God’s light is speeding to all areas
of disease and discomfort in my
body. Thoughts of health flood my
body and make it whole and holy. I
take comfort and rest in the house
of the Lord. I praise this day and
make it holy. AMEN.
Offbeat
Prayers for the Modern Mystic:
Making Life Easier Through
Innovative Prayer
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Contact
Information
Anne
Sermons Gillis 234 Morning Song St, Summerville, SC 29485
Phone
Number :
713-922-0242
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