Hello, my name is John. Thank you for joining me for this week's episode of The Prayer path. The mission of the prayer path is to create an auditory pathway upon which you can experience some time in a personal intimacy and loving encounter with the Divine. However, you've come to understand that presence in your life. We use a blend of sacred scripture other spiritual and secular writings music practices and especially silence to inspire your prayer while you may be rooted in a particular tradition. The prayer path is less to do with religious form and more to do with inviting you to connect with the Divine that is a universal truth at the heart of all religions. It is indeed my blessing and privilege to be your prayer guide on the path today. We don't record the / path in a special studio. So, please excuse the sounds of ordinary life. You might hear from time to time in the background. I invite you now to find a place where you can sit comfortably attentive. Where distraction is minimized and settle yourself? Scripture tells us that Jesus asked his disciples. What do you want? Suggesting a clear invitation to surrender before the Divine the desires of our hearts. I'd invite you to take a moment now to call to mind any special desire you'd like to set before the Divine for your prayer path Journey today. And now getting set to begin your journey leave out of your hands heart and mind anything you don't need right now. You are divinely guided. Everything that happens to you. All the people who you meet are pushed in your path for your own growth. Keeping this in your awareness at all times can literally change everything. This week on the prayer path. I felt gently Guided by the spirit to bring you a prayer Journey inspired by a person who while only living a very short life of 24 years has been canonized as a saint has been met a doctor of the Roman Catholic Church. Is recognized as one of the more modern generation of Christian Mystics and has cultivated an enormous devotion that crosses the boundaries of religious tradition. St. Therese of lisieux, you also affectionately known as the Little Flower in her practice of the little way opened her heart completely and courageously poured out unwavering love on all with whom she came into contact. However challenging her simple ways of kindness compassion and love which she determined where how she came closer to God are an inspiration to us all But before I commence our prayer path Journey today, I invite you to spend a few minutes now to prepare your body and mind for prayer. Having already taken your seated posture. I invite you to gently close your eyes if you wish. Take two slow deep breaths in and out through your nose. Which will help you to relax your body. Become aware of your thighs. As they rest on the seat beneath you. Become aware of your feet. As they make contact with the ground. Become aware of your hands as they rest gently in your lap. perhaps in a gesture of receiving allow yourself to become aware now of your breathing. Where in your body can you feel the rhythm of this gift of breath that gives you life? your nostrils your chest your abdomen the rhythm of your inhale and your exhale Find it now. The Divine is always with you. I invite you now to acknowledge that presence. You may refer to the presence as God. truth the universe Buddha nature so many other words to are used to describe this Essence which we seek. The Divine doesn't mind which you use. The only care now is to be present to you. present within you above you Below you. beside you all around you. become present now to the presence Just As You Are That's how it sees you. Except you. And infinitely and unconditionally loves you. Come As You Are rest in this loving tender kind and compassionate presence Feel it bear the weight of you. willingly and lovingly surrender No your prepares. I'll begin the prayer. In today's prayer Journey adopting some words by Joyce rope. I invite you to courageously Ponder where your compassion and love lie. And to pray that through open-heartedness there are virtues might be fortified with in you. Sometimes you'll be listening to my voice guiding you. At other times there would be silent pauses. Be with the times of Silence. Let the quiet of them quiet you. Allow your breathing to remain steady and slow. I'll begin and end. Today's prayer with a short some chant called Osco McRae. It's translated from Irish as Open My Heart. also more cool Moscow more Osco more Moscow Mall Oscar Oscar let's go. Asko Mall Moscow Mall Let's go. Fusco I invite you to ponder now. Where your courage and compassion reside? Pray for these virtues that follow to be fortified in newer open heart. pray to have the courage and compassion to Be faithful to a spiritual practice. Even when constant duties nura you away from it. To resist a response that blames an underprivileged group for the Injustice. They experience. To persist in clearing your heart of its emotional armor and tendency toward building walls. I'm to recover self worth. After being maligned by another's harsh treatment. pray to have the courage and compassion to change your biases prejudices and baseless Views about other religious beliefs. To cultivate an open mind and heart toward those you're inclined to quickly dismiss. To go beyond mere acceptance and enter into relationship with people of diversity. And to speak up for those who do not have the power or means to speak for themselves. pray to have the courage and compassion to choose to live with fewer material possessions. So others basic needs are met. To enter into dialogue when angry differences and misunderstandings create division. To refuse to Harbor thoughts and feelings of Revenge and retaliation toward anyone. And to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and eliminate entitlement from your expectations. pray to have the courage and compassion to except your deficiencies and allow them to teach you about being compassionate. To step out of your tight schedule and choose to be a caring presence with someone. To unclench and release your strong opinions until they drop out of your padlocked grasp. To regather your hope for people's well-being and their situations look dismal. And to focus your wandering mind and listen with full attentiveness to others. pray to have the courage and compassion to stand on a firm foundation of Prayer and approach all persons with compassion. amen Moscow a skull more Ass come on. Moscow let's go. Oscar let's go. isomalt Esco Mall walkers Let's go. Fusco As you come to the end of your prayer Journey on the path today. I invite you to recall again now the hearts desire that you set before the Divine at the start of our journey. Acknowledging your Oneness with and connectedness to all beings. I invite you to add your desire to the desires of all Seekers on the prayer path and in the universe. And wish for yourself and for them fulfillment happiness. and peace acknowledging that what you send into the world affects the world. I invite you to send peace to all people of the world. And pray that all creation might live in well being peace and harmony. I'd like to thank you again for joining me on the prayer path today. I'd especially like to thank all of you who've been journeying with the previous prayers and visiting the prayer path Facebook page. Please do continue to subscribe to and like both the podcast on the page and please do share it with anyone. You feel it might benefit. You can get in touch with me through the voice message or text message functions for any reason, but especially if you have a prayer request, I'd be delighted to include your special intentions with mind. I invite you to remain in prayer or perhaps just silence for as long as you wish after this episode concludes, but until you can join me next time on the prayer path, May the peace and love of the Divine be always with you and your loved ones and the whole creation. Goodbye for now.
Dearest Fellow Seekers. Welcome to The Prayer Path. This week I’ve felt gently guided by the spirit, to bring you a prayer journey, inspired by a person who while only living a very short life of 24 years, has been canonised as a saint, has been made a doctor of the Roman Catholic Church, is recognised as one of a more modern generation of Christian mystics and has cultivated an enourmous devotion that crosses the boundaries of religious tradition. St. Therese of Lisieux, also affectionately known as ‘The Little Flower’, in her practice of her ‘Little Way’ opened her heart completely and courageously poured out unwaivering love on all with whom she came into contact however challenging. He simple way’s of kindness, compassion and love, which she determined were how she became closer to God, are an inspiration to us all. In todays prayer journey, adapting some words by Joyce Rupp, I invite you to courageously ponder where your compassion and love reside and to pray that through open heartedness their virutues might be fortified within you. Have a Peaceful Journey John Timed Running Order (So you can join where it suits you) Hello 0.00; Expressing your Desires 1.41; Invite to Prepare/Preparation for Prayer 3.50; Prayer 11.57; Peace Prayer 26.16; Thankyou and Goodbye 27.42  ---   Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/The-Prayer-Path/message 