Gratitude Prayer
by Jennifer Donaldson

Thank you for the opportunity to share with you something I have come to understand of powerful significance to all. Many of us carry in our hearts (and on our shoulders) a deep desire to heal the suffering of this world. Many now feel the call to spread light, to reach out our hands and end the separation that causes such spiritual pain.

Let me share a practice that transcends the (perceived) limitations of time and space, and allows us to offer loving energy in service from wherever we are. It is the practice of Gratitude Prayer. Now this does not need to be done in a church on your knees, or with your hands together, fingers pointing up. It will come to you intuitively from your heart, while you are walking in nature, or sitting quietly before meditation. For me, it often begins as a melody in my head as I am waking up, and then in the shower a phrase will come spontaneously, or sometimes even several verses (surprisingly in meter and rhyme!)

A simple phrase such as “Thank you for this day” can be repeated over and over in a little chant that accompanies your mundane rituals like getting dressed, or going downstairs. Some days I start in bed with just thanking every level of my being, from the cells of my body to the vastness of my soul. And then as I move into the morning, I thank Spirit, God, the Universe, All That Is, for each miracle that comes to my senses, the blue sky, the chirp of the chickadee, the flurry of crystaline snow swirling in a gust of wind.

Sound is a powerful creator, and so a prayer whispered or spoken is stronger than a silent one. A prayer sung is many times stronger still, moving as it does through many tones. If you also feel, as I do sometimes, like moving with your prayer as well, this intuitive dance- coming from your spirit within your body -will amplify the prayer again.

When the weather is warm, I love to go out barefoot onto the grass and greet the day and Mother Earth, moving intuitively and singing whatever words spring from my heart. It feels amazing to trust this and I always feel aligned and joyful, when after a few minutes I am “done”. It is a simple practice, but it requires a willingness to trust your own divinity to speak through you in this way, and a heart-felt desire to practice blessing as your offering to All That Is.

What happens with this energy is that the Universe is able to use it for the highest good. It may be it is returned to the Earth so that She may grow a crop of food somewhere in the world, or bring rain where it is needed. It may be that your gratitude is used to bring solace to a anguished child crossing over from a life of war or famine. The energy is moved to wherever it is needed. This sounds like a miracle, but it is perfectly true. Energy has the ability to do this, move and create, and the angels and guardians of our world will gratefully accept our loving offerings of thankfulness and put them to best use.

This is true also for our own needs. To pray from lack, “beseeching”, or asking FOR something is not as powerful and effective as thanking God, All That Is, for knowing our needs and desires before they are spoken, and for already being in process of assisting us to manifest whatever we need. Our job is to trust and be open to receive. Maintaining the practice of gratitude is the fastest way to align your energy with Spirit, and fulfill your greatest heart’s desires.

In loving blessing, Jennifer

[Jennifer is a graduate of the New Seminary for interfaith ministry and a teacher of the Apprenticeship, a spiritual study program guided by Ascended Masters Jeshua and Mary Magdalen. ]