Prayers of Petition
Julia Cameron's Seeking Wisdom, week 2
Welcome to the week two post for Julia Cameron’s Seeking Wisdom! Keep reading for my reactions to the second chapter, followed by the weekly check in.
Where did you get the idea you aren’t allowed to petition the universe with prayer?… Make your case. Believe me— it will at least be taken into consideration.
-Elizabeth Gilbert
In this chapter, Cameron introduces the first of three types of prayers to be experimented with. Prayers of petition, she says, are the first things we think of when we think of prayer. That is, asking God for something we want or need, which is also occasionally asking for guidance.
Prayers of Petition
Cameron takes a generous view of God, stating that “God always meets our true needs.” And that if a prayer is answered with a “no,” we can trust there is a reason why, and it is in our own best interest. Of course, acceptance does not always mean happiness, and, we are allowed to be angry.
The Humility of Prayer
“When we pray, we tacitly acknowledge God as creator, and us as his creations. We are humble enough to ask for help. At its root, prayers is an acknowledgement of our limitations. We defer to a power greater than ourself, asking for divine aid,” Cameron rights.
Fine, but asking for help can be hard! I guess this is a case of getting out of your own way and admitting you can’t do it all on your own (much as you might want to).
Cameron goes on to talk about how the view that “our base nature harbors desires which are counter to God’s intention” is a both a “pessimistic and Calvinist view.”
I don’t know about you, but I’ve felt pretty pessimistic in adulthood, and particularly in relation to writing and art-making. How could I not, when there are so many gatekeepers, so many ways for things to not work out or come to fruition, and it’s just me serving up my heart on a platter?
Still, if I’m guilty of thinking things won’t (or don’t) work out, sometimes they do.
If It Be Thy Will…
So much of this book for me, so far, is coming up with counterpoints to Cameron’s arguments. And not to be obstinate, I just think there’s often a deeper layer to what she’s saying that she’s not acknowledging.
Cameron writes, “A prayer of petition implies intimacy with God. Asking for our desires, we expect to be understood.” BUT, I want to cry, intimacy requires trust!
How do we trust God, especially since many of us might have very valid options for not with how things have gone the last few years? Cameron doesn’t provide any insights here.
Trusting Guidance
It takes practice to learn to trust the guidance we hear. There are always times when our human worry will take over, and it is in these times that we must especially try to ask for- and listen to- a Higher Power. Out anxiety is quelled when we allow a higher voice of wisdom to speak.
If I could locate myself in any of Cameron’s words from this chapter, it would be these. But again, how do we get to a place where we allow a higher voice of wisdom to speak? This feels very vulnerable.
Also, what does this have to do with writing?
Check In
How did your week go?
I was scrambling to catch up after spring break and getting yet another call from preschool. My toddler had yet another double ear infection! Next week promises to not be much better; Monday is a student holiday (why.). Anyway! I did do a few days of Morning Pages, and spent Saturday afternoon in a poetry workshop, which was delightful. I also started a little patchwork crystal pouch; more on that soon. In general, I am needing more play in my life. It’s the point of the school year where I wish it would just freaking end already because I’m tired of the grind. (Says the person who just ordered THIRTY titles for their sixth grader’s lit for next year and hopes to read them all this summer1.)
If you’re reading along with me, feel free to check in in the comments!
How many days this week did you do your morning pages?
Did you take an Artist Date? How was it?
Did you take your walks?
Did you try asking for guidance in writing, and then listening to the answer?
22 are graphic novels, but still.