[tmtranscripts] Ham on Prayer

[David G. Schlundt, Ph.D.]

Ham 5-30-04

Greetings children, I am Ham and I am happy you have come so that we may 
interact and discuss. This evening our discussion will begin concerning 
prayer.

Prayer is a powerful technique for reaching toward God. It is a method 
reinforcing attitudes of humility and meekness toward our father. Often 
human beings pray for certain specific outcomes but prayers are more 
than your wishes. A prayer can be a simple "help me" or "I need you" 
entreaty. And this act of reaching out for help is a powerful tool to 
aid your spiritual growth.

The Master said, "Happy are they who are poor in spirit, for they will 
be filled." This is the attitude of true prayer. This prepares the soul 
to receive the divine touch.

Every person is in a state of incomplete growth. The divine touch 
stimulates parts of the soul to grow so that the soul is balanced and 
steady. This growth prepares the soul for its work in the world. The 
most powerful prayer is the asking for growth.

The growth itself is productive of dynamic action and interaction in the 
world. The growth itself is your answer to your prayer. The world will 
not change but the souls interaction in the world will change. Prayer 
does not confer control in the world but spiritual growth does create 
self-control and self-control can and does condition circumstances in 
the world.

Growth must come before you are ready to handle the circumstances you 
may desire. It would not help you to have the outer circumstances to 
your liking if you are not able to handle those circumstances well. 
Spiritual growth is the engine driving your lives. It is the thing that 
can and will affect you outer circumstances. And always, you will find 
yourselves in circumstances that will enable your growth. For your 
growth is the true purpose of your lives.

Growth is what shapes and guides your destinies. From the perspective of 
your indwelling spirit your growth is the all important mission of your 
combined existence. Each person receives from God and gives to the 
world. It is the mission of the indwelling spirit to bring God's love 
first to your heart and through you to the hearts of others. As your 
lives become more and more attuned to the purpose of the spirit, you are 
enabled to give more and more of yourselves to others. It is this giving 
that is the secret of your treasure in heaven.

Each of you is very actively growing. Each of you prays and worships in 
the Spirit. Each of you desires spiritual growth above all else, and so 
you are open to the growth stimulation the Spirit provides. Sometimes, 
often times, spiritual growth is painful and difficult. It would be 
easier, it seems, to stop right here, to solidify your feeling, 
reactions, attitudes and opinions, but even though growth is hard, 
stopping growth is deadly and poisonous to the soul.

It is best to be open and to strive to open even more to the Spirit's 
stimulus. Growth is not something to be guided or controlled by your 
mind, rather it requires openness of mind. For you cannot presume to 
know better than God knows. The Father may very well refuse you the 
things you pray for, but if you are open and growing, he will bring to 
you those things best for you growth of this you may be certain.

The Father cherishes your trust. His Spirit always moves to strengthen 
your trust in Him. And so with time you understand the reasons why you 
are given what you are given. And the reasons why certain desires are 
withheld. The Master said, "Would a good father give a child a serpent 
simply because he asked for it?" The Father may not grant your wishes, 
but He cares for your needs, the needs of your soul. As you grow in the 
world, as you come to understand the ways of the Spirit, you will find 
that the Father gives you exactly what you need. He does not give you 
more, nor does he give you less.

The greatest need of the soul is love, and as you awaken to love you 
will be given more. Your love, your capacity for love will never 
diminish. Love must grow and love must flow from you outward to others. 
Love is not something that you and the Father can have in secret. When 
you love God the world soon sees that He loves you, for His love flows 
through you and touches everyone around you.

My children have complete and total faith. Let there not be one drop of 
doubt in your river of trust. Give your souls fully to the Father's love 
without reservations or question and in that love find your answers. 
Find your purpose and find yourselves.

Q: Abraham talked to us once and basically this group was to be put on 
accelerate growth. Please explain what this means.

A: He meant that the spiritual food that you were to be given, that you 
have been given through these groups would be productive of accelerated 
rate of spiritual growth.

Q: I expected the test and the trials to come faster to accomplish the 
accelerated growth.

A: You are given those tests which you can handle. If you are growing, 
you are preparing and the test come as you are prepared to receive them. 
But let us also think of growth as producing spiritual fruit. Fruit is 
for the benefit of others as well as yourself. The fruit is the sharing 
of your growth, so as you grow in the spirit you are more giving and 
more able to give. Yes there are tests, but these tests are to 
strengthen you, not to grade you.

Q: I have had a consistent prayer over the years of "let me be of use". 
Yet I do not feel that this prayer has been answered because I feel 
pointless and useless and not contributing.

A: My daughter, these feelings are not real. They are not indicative of 
you stature and standing in the universe. What you are confusing is 
purpose. You are, my dear, fulfilling God's purpose. But of course the 
goals of time are not the goals of eternity. You may have some 
unfulfilled earthly goals, goals of your choosing, and you may wonder as 
the child and the serpent wonders why the Father has withheld such a 
beautiful prize. Instead of a lot of pointless conjecture of why this or 
that human project did not fulfill your human expectations, instead 
thank the Father for protecting you and for giving your soul the perfect 
requirements for growth, for growing you are my dear. You will be none 
to ready when the Father calls you. All of your life is preparation for 
the Father's work and He will give you those things which are required 
for your growth over those things which would give ego gratification. Do 
not be in any doubt that the Father is using you. Do not doubt that you 
are fulfilling his will, for you are. Be at peace with things the way 
they are and know for certain that the Father places his errands before 
you. Service is the delight of all God-knowing children. Be delighted at 
each opportunity both small and large to serve. Is this helping?

A: This is a great relief.

Q: It has to be alright the way it is before it can get better?

A: Yes

Q: Anything for Rebecca?

A: Yes my daughter, gradually as you grow in the spirit you find you are 
able to handle ever more difficult tasks with an increasing grace and 
confidence. Do not be fearful of the future for the Master walks besides 
you each step of the way.

Q: Anything for Me?

A: Certainly my son, you are also finding a level of balance and 
grounding which has alluded you in the past. You are finding that your 
strength is not to be feared or denied. It is not necessary to run from 
yourself and gradually you are coming to understand that you my son have 
your own place in the universe. A place which cannot be taken from you. 
The Father in heaven has claimed you as his child, his beloved son, this 
status is yours for eternity. The Father already loves you infinitely, 
now it is you who must grow in love for Him, and in this process you 
will come to love yourself even as the Father himself loves you. Find 
security in that love and all is well.

Q:Jarad

A: Of course, my son be at peace. You have before you a great task. This 
is given with love, not sternness. The Father will create those 
circumstances that are right for you and he will remove those 
circumstances which are not right. You my son must trust in the Father's 
wisdom, his guidance and his purpose. And yes much of this is 
impenetrable for the human mind, so faith and trust are yours. The trust 
of a child will guide you.

Any advise for Wendaring concerning her spiritual quest and the people 
she is working with?

A: Certainly, my daughter these experiences will help you to grow in 
your spiritual understanding. Be careful to remain grounded and do not 
be carried away in human wishing. You will have the insights and 
guidance you need. Have faith.

Q: Personal message for Norbert.

A: Yes my son, you are doing very well and have come through some 
difficulties with increasing confidence and a growing spiritual depth. 
Find increasing love in your heart and in the truth of those around you. 
Recognize your own ability to discern truth, but also recognize that 
truth is not ever complete in this life. It is always partial.

 

Q: Anything for me:

A: Of course. My daughter you do well. You are making great strides in 
the spiritual realm. You are working ever more completely for the spirit 
and are accepting his purpose for you in ever greater degree. More and 
more you are opening your self to your own potential and you are 
accepting your spiritual potential bit by bit, day by day. In fact, all 
things are becoming new, for spiritually you are gaining ground and this 
spiritual perspective is becoming more and more dominate in your 
thinking. Have peace my daughter, the way will open for you, don't be in 
a hurry to make decisions, rest for a while. You are doing just fine.

My friends be at peace. Allow the Father's love to surround your hearts 
so that they are cushioned in love. Whatever harshness befalls you. Do 
not be concerned over the future, rather live completely each day, in 
love, faith, charity of the spirit and a growing willingness to give 
everything to God. In this manner your way will open and your needs will 
be met. That is all. Farewell,

-- 
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
David G. Schlundt, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology
Department of Psychology
Vanderbilt University
301 Wilson Hall
Nashville, TN  37203

Phone: (615)322-7800
Fax: (615) 343-8449
Email: David.Schlundt at Vanderbilt.edu
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
To science God is a possibility, to psychology
a desirability, to philosopy a probability, to
religion a certainty, an actuality of religious
experience

The Urantia Book, page 1125
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