Prayerfulness and Thankfulness

Shamans use prayer as a technique for connecting with the Sacred and drawing its energies into everyday life. To honor the earth, they pray for the souls of the animals that give their lives so that we may eat. To support their village, they pray for the tribe and its continuance. To encourage personal growth, they pray for the self, to know a gentle voice. This prayerfulness is far more than just an act of supplication, however, it manifests in the way a shaman thinks and lives. Prayerfulness constitutes a reverent, respectful attitude and behavior that translates into any situation.

Prayerful thought differs from meditation in that while meditation is an inner conversation, prayer initiates a conversation directly with Spirit. Some prayers ask for aid, other prayers express appreciation for one's blessings or exalt the Divine, and some invoke a purposeful presence. No matter the goal, however, prayer is the song of one's soul to its creator. In prayerful moments we connect with the nucleus of our faith, and all the potentials and possibilities that lie just beyond everyday awareness.

Prayers for aid express our needs and hopes. There is nothing wrong with telling Spirit what you want. Just realize that what you want isn't always good for you. This is where the shaman learns acceptance and receptivity. Should Spirit answer a prayer differently than expected, he or she accepts that wisdom, receives it, and integrates the lesson therein.

Thankful prayers are those that show gratitude for our blessings, great and small. Among families, this is a time to appreciate the binding tie of faith, their blessings, and the love and unity that both generate. For individuals, this prayer acknowledges the gift that every day of living represents, as well as an appreciation for the things that make life a little nicer.

Invocations act as a kind of spiritual invitation. These request the interaction, intervention, or intercommunication from powers like the Ancestors and the elements. This isn't done haphazardly, without serious thought, or without a through knowledge of who you're dealing with. Whatever archetype you call upon in invoking prayers must be suited to the particular time and task, and the task should be something important. Just as you wouldn't dial 911 for help with a hangnail, invoking the greater powers should be reserved for times of pressing need.

Once we understand the importance and types of prayer, the question then becomes: How do I pray effectively? You would think that prayer would come naturally, but it doesn't seem to. A lot of people feel awkward about praying. The idea reminds them of church and rote liturgies that suffocated the inner shaman's creative, expressive voice. For individuals who find themselves in this situation, relax. The prayers of a shaman come from the heart, not from a book or the pulpit.

Other people may feel shy about praying, as if they aren't worthy of Spirit's attention. In looking at my own childhood, this seemed to be the case. I always prayed for others, but not for myself. One of the goals of Shaman in a 9 to 5 World is to help you see each person (that means you, too) as a sacred, important creation. When we pray for ourselves, we acknowledge our importance, and we ignite the spark of Spirit within so that it can shine throughout the day.

Begin your prayers as this chapter began, then, with thoughtfulness and silence. You cannot pray with intention unless other mental clutter is stilled. Also begin with truth. Spirit knows you as intimately as a parent knows a child. So dispense with any pretenses. Forego King James-style verses, and just use words that are comfortable on your lips - and say what you feel.

Next, be earnest, reverent, humble, and patient. Earnestness gets the universe's attention. Reverence is something that Spirit should always receive from us. To revere something means to honor it and not take it for granted. Humility keeps us aware of the fact that our voice is but one of millions, all of whom have needs. Spirit hears us all, but answers need before desire. Patience makes the waiting easier. Prayer rarely exhibits instantaneous manifestation. Instead, it creates a wave of energy that must reach the right source and then return with an answer. Patience becomes an important helpmate to identifying a response to prayer - whenever, wherever, and however it comes.

The final aspect of prayer comes in the form of thankfulness. A thankful heart is one ready to fully give and receive. When we don't appreciate our magic, something in it dies; similarly, when we don't appreciate Spirit, it stops speaking. When answers come from prayerful moments, remember to say thank you. Find the voice of gratitude within and let it ring out sure and strong. Be it for the sunrise, health, a good job, or just a quiet moment to listen - give thanks.

Prayerfulness and Thankfulness is excerpted from Shaman in a 9 to 5 World by Patricia Telesco with permission from The Crossing Press. Visit their Internet site at www.crossingpress.com.