Changes

==Session==

==Session==

===Opening===

===Opening===

Ham: Greetings, children, I am Ham and I welcome you this evening. We shall begin with an examination of prayer. Early prayers can be angry accusations, "God why did you do this to me", or personal pleas for something to be given, "God do this for me".

Ham: Greetings, children, I am Ham and I welcome you this evening. We shall begin with an [[examination]] of [[prayer]]. Early prayers can be [[angry]] accusations, "God why did you do this to me", or personal pleas for something to be given, "God do this for me".

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

Sometimes, in fact often, there is bargaining involved, "God do this for me and I will do this for you". But, as you grow in the spirit, your prayers tend to become less and less self-centered and self-motivated. Increasingly, you learn to truly pray for others and also to pray for changes in yourselves. This shift from asking God to change the world for you to asking God to change you for the world, is a long one.

Sometimes, in fact often, there is bargaining involved, "God do this for me and I will do this for you". But, as you [[grow]] in the [[spirit]], your prayers tend to become less and less self-centered and self-[[motivated]]. Increasingly, you learn to truly pray for others and also to pray for [[changes]] in yourselves. This shift from asking God to change the world for you to asking God to change you for the world, is a long one.

Human beings are still very uncomfortable with the idea of talking things over with God. Prayers are still quite formal and also quite specific. Growth in the spirit tends to reveal a manner of praying which is very unspecific, a more generalized, Father help me to release my selfishness and to become more like you.

[[Human being]]s are still very uncomfortable with the [[idea]] of talking things over with God. Prayers are still quite [[formal]] and also quite specific. [[Growth]] in the spirit tends to reveal a [[manner]] of praying which is very unspecific, a more generalized, Father help me to release my [[selfishness]] and to become more like you.

All human beings have a deep animal urge towards self preservation. This is manifest in craving after comfort, craving after reassurance. There is a deep need to feel safe and sometimes we must excuse human beings when this inner core of selfishness arises. You must understand yourselves in this way that to be completely unselfish would be not to be human. As you look about you in the world, you see this deep core of instinct driving much of humanity and you must forgive these brethren for they are driven by the same inner fear that drives yourselves at times.

All human beings have a deep [[animal]] urge towards [[self preservation]]. This is [[manifest]] in craving after [[comfort]], craving after reassurance. There is a deep need to feel safe and sometimes we must excuse human beings when this inner core of [[selfishness]] arises. You must understand yourselves in this way that to be completely [[unselfish]] would be not to be human. As you look about you in the world, you see this deep core of [[instinct]] driving much of humanity and you must [[forgive]] these brethren for they are driven by the same inner [[fear]] that drives yourselves at times.

Embracing humanity involves embracing all of it and embracing yourselves involves embracing all of you. People who have survived terrible experiences are often later racked with guilt over having experienced that inner will to survival that blocked out everything else. But this is part of being human and your human parts are just as real as your spiritual parts. That drive towards self-preservation was put there by Father for the good of all his people.

[[Embracing]] [[humanity]] involves embracing all of it and embracing yourselves involves embracing all of you. People who have [[survived]] terrible [[experiences]] are often later racked with [[guilt]] over having experienced that inner will to survival that [[blocked]] out everything else. But this is part of being human and your human parts are just as real as your spiritual parts. That drive towards self-preservation was put there by Father for the [[good]] of all his people.

Do not be ashamed of yourselves for being human beings. Do not make the mistake of creating an ideal that is purely spiritual and imagining that you should live in that ideal then chastising yourselves when you fall short. You can, however, through the life of prayer gradually make steps towards the spiritual without abandoning your humanity.  

Do not be [[ashamed]] of yourselves for being [[human beings]]. Do not make the mistake of creating an [[ideal]] that is purely [[spiritual]] and imagining that you should live in that ideal then [[chastising]] yourselves when you fall short. You can, however, through the [[life]] of prayer [[gradually]] make [[steps]] towards the spiritual without [[abandoning]] your [[humanity]].  

We spoke last week of the ideal creating a false reality, the idea of being completely detached and unconcerned with the world. The spiritual life embraces the human life, it does not supplant it, it enhances it. As you continue to grow in the spirit, many things in you life will change. Things will be easier to cope with as you grow in self-acceptance and self awareness. Hardships will come, yes, but you will find it easier to live with them. Have the courage to increase your prayer life. Pray for all of those around you and pray for yourselves with complete sincerity ask to gracefully relinquish the things that do not serve and to embrace ever greater spiritual realities. Learn to expand your relationship with the Father. Bring him actively into your lives with prayer.

We spoke last week of the [[ideal]] creating a [[false]] [[reality]], the idea of being completely [[detached]] and unconcerned with the world. The spiritual life [[embraces]] the human [[life]], it does not supplant it, it enhances it. As you continue to [[grow]] in the spirit, many things in you life will [[change]]. Things will be easier to cope with as you grow in self-[[acceptance]] and self [[awareness]]. Hardships will come, yes, but you will find it easier to live with them. Have the [[courage]] to increase your [[prayer]] life. Pray for all of those around you and pray for yourselves with complete [[sincerity]] ask to [[gracefully]] relinquish the things that do not serve and to embrace ever greater [[spiritual]] realities. Learn to expand your [[relationship]] with [[the Father]]. Bring him actively into your lives with prayer.

===Dialogue===

===Dialogue===

To Whom Should I address My Prayers?

To Whom Should I address My Prayers?