Welcome to this guided two-way prayer practice.
Two-way prayer originated in early recovery communities as a daily method for conscious contact with a higher power.
It's a way of asking for direction and then listening.
Before we begin,
You're welcome to use whatever word feels most comfortable to you.
That word may be God,
Goddess,
Spirit,
Creator,
Higher power,
Or great mystery.
I'll use the word spirit in this practice,
But you're invited to translate that into the language that resonates most for you.
My hope is that you've come to this practice after reading a short passage from a spiritual text,
Just a few lines to center you or something that speaks to your conscience.
In early recovery,
This was considered essential.
Meetings weren't enough.
Sponsorship was not enough.
There had to be daily contact with spirit.
On awakening,
Let us think about the 24 hours ahead.
We ask God to direct our thinking,
Especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity,
Dishonesty,
Or self-seeking motives.
This practice is how we do that,
And note this is a writing practice,
So have your journal open and a pen in hand.
Before we begin,
We agree on a few conditions.
We will be quiet.
We will be honest about every thought that comes.
We will test what we receive,
And we will follow through with what we receive.
To begin,
Sit comfortably.
Relax your body.
Release any tension in your shoulders.
Soften your jaw.
And take one slow breath in.
And a long breath out.
Feel your feet on the floor.
Feel your body supported beneath you.
And let your attention settle into this moment.
Now,
Say silently or aloud,
Spirit,
Please direct my thinking today.
Free it from self-pity,
Dishonesty,
And self-seeking motives.
Now,
Ask specifically,
What would you have me be?
What would you have me do?
Is there anyone I need to forgive?
Is there an amends I need to make?
What's the next right action?
What's blocking me from being useful?
Choose a question that feels most alive right now.
And write that question at the top of your page.
Before we begin writing,
Let's acknowledge something gently.
If nothing seems to come,
Ask yourself this honestly.
Is there something in my life I'm unwilling to face?
Is there a person I'm not ready to forgive?
Is there an amends I'm postponing?
Is there something I already know I need to do but haven't done?
Blocks are usually on our side.
And that's not a criticism,
It's just an invitation.
If you notice a block,
Acknowledge it.
You don't have to solve it right away.
Just be willing to see it.
Now begin writing.
And if it helps,
You might want to begin your response with a phrase that allows you to feel connected to a loving and wiser presence.
You might write,
My dear one,
My beloved,
Or even a childhood nickname that makes you feel safe and known.
You're also welcome to simply write your own name.
Begin in whatever way you feel spoken to with love by a power greater than yourself.
And then write everything that comes.
Don't edit,
Don't filter,
And don't argue.
Keep your pen moving.
And we'll pause for writing now.
When the flow slows,
You can stop writing.
Now we test what you've written.
Ask,
Is this completely honest?
Is it pure in motive?
Is it unselfish?
Is it loving?
Does it align with my responsibilities to my family and community?
Does it align with the teachings of my spiritual path?
Anything rooted in blame,
Superiority,
Fear,
Harshness,
Or ego does not pass the test.
So circle what reflects honesty,
Purity,
And unselfishness and love.
Choose one clear action from what you've written.
It might be something you do outwardly,
Or it might be something you do inwardly.
This could include reaching out to someone you trust,
Having an honest conversation,
Taking care of a responsibility you've been avoiding,
Resting if you're exhausted,
Setting a boundary if one is needed,
Doing the work to let go of a resentment,
Or make time for prayer and reflection.
Take one small step towards something you've been putting off.
Clarity deepens when we act on what has been shown to us.
And a quick note,
You will make mistakes.
We're human,
And our listening is imperfect.
If you act sincerely and later realize you misunderstood,
Correct it.
Make it right,
And begin again.
Sometimes following through will bring peace,
And sometimes it will bring discomfort.
If you missed something you sensed you were guided to do,
Acknowledge it.
This is a relationship.
And as we close this two-way prayer practice,
We thank spirit for directing our thinking.
We ask spirit to give us the courage to carry out what has been shown to us.
Now,
Begin to bring your awareness back to your body.
Notice your breath again.
And notice the surface that's supporting you.
Gently wiggle your fingers,
And move your toes.
If your eyes have been closed,
Slowly blink them open.
Take one deep breath in.
Hold it at the top.
And exhale fully.
Notice the room around you.
And feel the steadiness beneath you.
Carry one clear intention from this time into your next 24 hours.
And be sure to thank yourself for creating this space and time to be in conscious contact.
And when you're ready,
You're welcome to move into your day with what you received.
Take care.
