Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood him, praying only for knowledge of his will for us the power to carry it out
C2C reading page 165; "the spiritual exercise suggested by the 11th step is a powerful force for good in our lives let us not think I have no time for it.
My share
Early in my Alanon journey, I reviewed the Steps as a whole. and must admit-- I was overwhelmed . My negative self ,could not imagine that I could ever accomplish the tasks. required by the Steps..
The 11th Step jumped right out at me because I thought that perhaps I might be able to pray.-- I was stopped in my tracks, when I realized I was required to pray for HP's will, not mine.- . I always prayed that my will be done . I saw that this Step required trusting the God that I did not understand. . My sponsor pointed out that is I pray for HP's will., The step suggests that I also pray for the power to carry it out.. That way I could agree to be guided and so not fail completely.
. I must admit that HP's will was completely opposite to what I had wanted for my life, however my arms were too short to box with God and so I embraced HP's will and marched onward
Step 11 questions
How do I define the difference between prayer and meditation?,
What can I do to add prayer and meditation to my life today?
Am I willing to be guided today?
What does it mean for me to pray only for God's will and not my own?
What do I need to have the power to carry out God's will?
Have I asked God for that question?
Midnight Jane said
Feb 14, 2018
How do I define the difference between prayer and meditation? Meditation, for me, is stilling the mind and listening. Prayer is active, a direct communication.
What can I do to add prayer and meditation to my life today? I try to add prayer at routine times in the day - when I am driving alone in the mornings, and just before I go to sleep. Meditation is harder for me. My life is so much about output right now. Finding the time and space to be still, and alone, has been a challenge lately.
Am I willing to be guided today? Yes.
What does it mean for me to pray only for God's will and not my own? It means I give up the need to control - and the frustration that comes with trying to control. Sometimes when I am praying for God's will and not my own, I end up debating with myself about the nature of God - whether God is in fact inside me, and so is it really not my will after all. I am finding it hard to give up certain ideas about myself.
What do I need to have the power to carry out God's will? I need commitment, and responsibility to myself and to others. I need acceptance. And also gratitude for the opportunities that come my way.
Have I asked God for that question? This is a good reminder to do so.
hotrod said
Feb 14, 2018
Hello Midnight Jane thank you for taking the time to share your insights on this powerful step. I practice this Step often and when confused I simply sit and pray for guidance. Trusting that I will be given the power to carryout HP' s will certainly helps.
Thanks for sharing the journey
C2C reading page 165; "the spiritual exercise suggested by the 11th step is a powerful force for good in our lives let us not think I have no time for it.
How do I define the difference between prayer and meditation?,
What can I do to add prayer and meditation to my life today?
Am I willing to be guided today?
How do I define the difference between prayer and meditation?
Meditation, for me, is stilling the mind and listening. Prayer is active, a direct communication.
What can I do to add prayer and meditation to my life today?
I try to add prayer at routine times in the day - when I am driving alone in the mornings, and just before I go to sleep. Meditation is harder for me. My life is so much about output right now. Finding the time and space to be still, and alone, has been a challenge lately.
Am I willing to be guided today?
Yes.
What does it mean for me to pray only for God's will and not my own?
It means I give up the need to control - and the frustration that comes with trying to control. Sometimes when I am praying for God's will and not my own, I end up debating with myself about the nature of God - whether God is in fact inside me, and so is it really not my will after all. I am finding it hard to give up certain ideas about myself.
What do I need to have the power to carry out God's will?
I need commitment, and responsibility to myself and to others. I need acceptance. And also gratitude for the opportunities that come my way.
Have I asked God for that question?
This is a good reminder to do so.
Thanks for sharing the journey