Edward Viljoen: Partnership Prayer

Partnership Prayer

By: Edward Viljoen on Wednesday, May 27, 2009

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Of the more common topics for prayer I receive partnership is way up there in frequency. Over time I have developed an awareness of how subtly folk cling to the idea of partnership and how that clinging shows up as a below the surface irritant or anxiety in their prayers. I have, since becoming aware of this, included in my prayers a strong theme of non-control. For example:

Love is all there is. I am a product of its action. So I respect myself and I love how Creation has made me. Therefore I have adopted the tendency to put myself in harmonious situations in which my highest qualities attract those who find it easy to love me. In this way I am frequently experiencing mutual and appropriate attraction to people around me and I realize the joy of deep connection with attempting to create it. Reciprocal love then becomes available to me in consciousness and I discover in me a feeling of freedom and welcome to the idea of partnership. This establishes in a sense of dignity and self confidence because I realize that I cannot be anyone other than the person Love has made. It feels good to be aware of this. It feels free to be aware of this. Amen.

I am remembering a Saturday Night Live skit in which Govenor Sarah Palin says to Senator Hilary Clinton something like: to have something you just have to want it. To which Senator Clinton through strained laughter says something like: oh if I had only wanted the Presidency a little more.

Wanting and welcoming are two important attitudes of mind that in my opinion play a significant role in prayer. One seems to repel and the other attract.

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1 comment:

Rev. Ouida J. Cooepr-RodriguezMay 27, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Thanks for this lovely prayer and the awareness of the differences between wanting and welcoming...I'll certainly be writing a sermon out of this... :-)
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“While goodness, kindness, compassion, and faith might seem like ordinary concepts, when it comes to actually living them in the face of life’s daily challenges, it’s easy to get stuck. Edward Viljoen has given us a gentle, illuminating, compassionate guidebook to living from the goodness that lies at the heart of who we really are.”
—Alan Seale, founder of the Center for Transformational Presence, and author of Create A World That Works and Intuitive Living

“Ordinary Goodness reminds me I can see goodness and kindness every day. Edward reminds all of us, that despite our failings, we really can be both good and kind. Brew a cup of tea and curl up with this insightful and achingly beautiful account of the mystery, paradox, and wonder of your life. You’ll be glad you did!”
—Petra Weldes, author of Joyous Living Journal

“If kindness were a country, Ordinary Goodness would be its travel guide. In this book, Edward Viljoen delves into a perfectly ordinary yet arguably neglected virtue—kindness—and reveals its source, its rewards, and a well-defined approach for integrating kindness into your very bones. Combining his personal history with his decades of experience as a minister, Viljoen is eminently qualified to teach us that the ordinariness of kindness may actually be the most dazzling quality we might possess.”
—Randall Friesen, publisher of Newt List Books

Edward Viljoen was a recent guest to my radio show, "In The Spirit." I had read his book, "Ordinary Goodness" and was happy to talk with him about it. I like the way he inserts stories from his own life to illustrate various points. In this cynical age, this book is a tonic a guide to live a good life by being good to others. We cannot be truly happy until we do. Thank you, Edward for bringing a much needed topic to our attention.

—Gary Goldberg, host of In The Spirit

The Power of Meditation

“Edward Viljoen’s new book, The Power of Meditation, is a gift. It serves as a practical guidebook for those who are new at spiritual practice, as well as a beautiful reminder of simplicity and essence for those who have been engaged in spiritual practice for a lifetime. Edward helps us find the strength we need to be present with whatever life brings. He takes the reader by the hand, dispels the mysteries, and makes this elusive thing called meditation very real and doable.” —Alan Seal, author of Create a World That Works

Bhagavad-Gita For Beginners

Edward, I bought your new book yesterday and read it last night! I have to tell you....I finally "Get it"!! I cannot tell you how many times I've tried to read the Bhagavad Gita, but never got very far before I realized I had no idea what was going on. But after reading your primer, I now get it and feel quite confident that when I pull the full Monty version down from the shelf I won't feel nearly as lost!! Really was such a great read! I'm glad it can live on my Kindle. I anticipate reading it often! Thank you so much!!! Loved it! LouAnn Thomas