Prayer?

NotebookLM:

In Joel Goldsmith’s teaching, true prayer is not what we say or think to God, but what God utters within us. It is an inner state of receptivity, silence, and communion rather than a spoken request or mental petition.

What Prayer Is Not

• Not Petitioning or Asking for Things: Prayer is not asking God for material objects or circumstances, such as health, wealth, food, housing, or changing external situations.
• Not Influencing Deity: Goldsmith teaches that attempting to persuade, beg, or bribe God is a remnant of paganism or a “Santa Claus” concept of God. Because God is infinite wisdom (omniscience) and already knows every need, attempting to inform or instruct God is unnecessary and futile.

The Essence of True Prayer: A Listening Attitude

• “Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth”: True prayer is defined by a receptive, listening attitude within the inner sanctuary of consciousness.
• Seeking the Presence Alone: One enters prayer not to gain a power to fix worldly problems, but solely to experience the realization of God’s presence and grace (“Thy grace is my sufficiency in all things”).

The Distinction Between Treatment and Prayer

• Treatment: Treatment is the preliminary, mental preparation where statements of truth, scriptural passages, or arguments are used to quiet fear, dismantle illusions, and elevate consciousness.
• Prayer: Prayer begins when treatment ends—when all conscious thinking, declaring, and arguing stop, and an absolute silence allows the “still small voice” or divine Impulse to be felt.

Key Attributes of Prayer

• Sacred and Secret: True spiritual prayer takes place entirely within individual consciousness and is kept secret from the world.
• Praying Without Ceasing: It is an ongoing, continuous awareness of the indwelling Presence maintained throughout ordinary daily activities.
• Unselfed and Universal: True prayer surrenders human self-interest and embraces all mankind, prioritizing praying for enemies and forgiving offenses over seeking personal favors or victories.