While I don’t think I have been abused by religion, I am taking the time to do the exercises as outlined in the book; Recovering From Religious Abuse, 11 Steps to Spiritual Freedom written by: Jack Watts. I do know I have been hurt by religion, but hurt and abuse as described and presented in the book, and I believe are two different things. I will admit, one of my greatest concerns is that I may have at times been an abuser. I don’t think I have been but this journey will hopefully help me understand where I am at, and in the process, help others as I journal each day of the steps outlined in the book.I need to make sure I seek the guidance of God in my life. Today’s study had me reflect on two prayers, The Serenity Prayer and The Prayer of St. Francis. In both prayers, God is the one we are going to. He is our sole source of help, inspiration, guidance, and power to overcome the difficult things. I think that remembering that He is our source is important, but so is the need to give God credit for the good things He has already done.
The prayers are as follows:
The Serenity Prayer – Reinhold Nibuhr
God,
Grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And Wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
As it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right.
If I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next
Amen
The Purposeful Prayer by St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light; and
Where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
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