Why I’m on my knees daily (and you should be too)

Sometimes life brings us to our knees, so we can start to pray.

When was the last time you were down on your knees? When you closed your eyes, bowed your head and let it all out to the Universe in a heart-felt, tear-stained, honest to goodness prayer?

For some of us, prayer has negative associations - understandably so. Having grown up in strict religious homes, prayer brings up painful memories of reciting countless Hail Mary's and Our Fathers’ to seek forgiveness and avoid retribution for our ‘sins’. For others, prayer is an act of desperation reserved solely for when we’ve exhausted all other options. But what if prayer wasn’t about asking God for what we want, but positioning ourselves to receive what Life already has?

When I started including prayer as a part of my daily ritual, I was less anxious, had more clarity and a deep and abiding peace began to permeate my life. When the world tried to define me by my past mistakes, prayer reminded me who I really was. When I began to doubt my worth and seek validation outside myself, a few moments in the presence of God showed me everything I needed could already be found inside me. It was as though a massive weight was lifted off my shoulders when I realised I didn’t have to navigate this life alone and there was a never-ending source of strength and Divine guidance available to me in every moment.

Prayer, for me, is like a spiritual reset button. It’s an act of surrender that reminds me all the beautiful things I have to be grateful for. By aligning my thoughts with a higher perspective, prayer helps me rise above life’s obstacles and get a glimpse of a some meaning and purpose behind my circumstances. When things don’t my way, I open my perception, and the missing pieces of the puzzle come into view. Then, I can feel how to move forward.

So if we’re not reciting passages from the Bible or bargaining with the Divine, how are we supposed to pray?

First, ask yourself, who does it feel right to pray to? Is it God, The Universe, Your Higher Self or even a guardian angel? Carve out a time in your day that feels sacred. It could be as simple as getting in the shower and having a conversation about your day. What went well? What are you worried about?

Even if the only prayer you ever said was ‘Thank you’, that would be enough.

Eckhart Tolle

Try gratitude. Give thanks for all the wonderful things in your life.

Lay it all out. Tell God what’s going on, give them a rundown on the current state of your life - the good, the bad and the ugly. Sometimes just saying things out loud sparks new insights and gives us clarity we didn’t have before. Go into detail, and don’t be afraid to ask the big questions. Even if you don’t get an answer right away, it’ll come later. A great question to ask is, “What do I need to let go of in order to move forward?” Repeat your prayer daily and be on the lookout for a response. Don’t worry about ‘taking up too much time’ or coming across as needy, time doesn’t exist in the metaphysical and the Universe loves hearing all of our challenges, fears, hopes and dreams.

Give it all up. Often, we get so caught up in what we think we should be doing, or what the world (our parents, friends, society) wants us to do, we neglect the gentle murmurs of our Soul as it tries to guide us toward our true purpose.

Surrender doesn’t just mean ‘giving up’, it means aligning your desires with the calling placed on your life. When you surrender your best laid plans and intentions to the Universe and say, “Okay, now you take it from here.”

We are already programmed to self-actualize and reach our full potential in this lifetime (in the same way a tiny acorn already holds the blueprint for a massive oak tree and an embryo already has everything it needs to become a baby). All we have to do is continue following that still, small voice within.

One of my favourite prayers is, “Use me, Lord, that I might know the joy of being used by you.”

Churches are great for prayer, but so are mountains and cars and showers and dance floors.

Anne Lamott

Of course you can also pray for safety, protection and clarity. You can pray for world peace and the alleviation of suffering everywhere. You can also magnify the power of the experience by including others in your practice. When you wake up in the morning, say a prayer with your partner. Ask for protection over their lives, favour over their circumstances and pray that your relationship would grow stronger through the trials you face. If you have children, find a prayer that resonates with you and teach it to them. Start at the dinner table and together before bed, you will be amazed at how quickly their young minds are shaped by repeating life affirming words.

If all else fails, just have a conversation.

God/Source/the Divine isn’t angry with you, nor does He/She want to punish you for anything you’ve done. They want to be part of your life, to comfort, guide and help you become the best, happiest version of yourself. Wherever you are right now, no matter how long it’s been or how much resistance you feel, take this opportunity to open up the lines of communication.

I’ll start.

Dear God…