As I studied Steps to Knowledge, the book of spiritual practice of the New Message from God, it first seemed like a relatively solitary practice. There were some people I would correspond with, but the steps were mostly speaking to my life story.
How shall I pray for a student of Knowledge?
As I progressed, the importance of my interactions with other students became clearer. Steps spoke of how every accomplishment is a group effort. The mission I came to the world to accomplish requires the development of others. A hope began to emerge for the success of my fellow students.
How shall I pray for a student of Knowledge? Step 121, “Today I am free to give,” and Step 122, “I give without loss today,” encouraged me to give strength of character and strength of faculty of mind. Something like this emerged:
“I give my fellow students contentment with following the Steps as given. I give them building and balancing the four pillars of their lives [relationships, work, health and spirituality]. I give them trust in their deepest inclinations.
I didn’t notice this the first time I studied Steps to Knowledge, but in the second time through, I noticed this paragraph of Step 342, “I am a student of Knowledge today,” as a prayer for students of Knowledge. It seems to work to pray it for one’s self, or to pray it for someone else.
Today you are a student of Knowledge. You are following your preparation step by step. You are learning to be unburdened of your own judgment and anxiety. You are learning to be confirmed by the presence of Knowledge within you and by the presence of love within your life. You are learning to honor yourself and learning to appreciate your world. You are learning to recognize your responsibility and learning to recognize the world’s need for this responsibility to be carried forth. You are learning to be still within and meaningfully engaged without. You are learning to receive. You are learning to give. You are learning to recognize that your life is being redeemed.
How shall I pray for a student of Knowledge? This is my prayer for you.
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Very well expressed, thank you Douglas. One more Step you might find very powerful Douglas.
Step 298
MAVRAN MAVRAN CONAY MAVRAN
TODAY’S INVOCATION CALLS UPON THOSE who practice Knowledge with you in the Greater Community so that the strength of their undertaking and their great achievements may embellish all of your attempts and all of your practices as a student of Knowledge.Today’s invocation engages your mind with all minds which are engaged in the reclamation of Knowledge in the universe, for you are a citizen of a Greater Community as well as a citizen of your world.You are part of a great undertaking existing both within the world and beyond, for God is at work everywhere.The True Religion, then, is the reclamation of Knowledge. It finds its expression in each world and in each culture, and there it acquires its symbolism and its rituals, but its essence is universal.
PRACTICE UPON THE HOUR REPEATING TODAY’S INVOCATION and as you do so, take a moment to feel its impact.You can find a way to do this in all of your circumstances today, and this will remind you of your Ancient Home and the potency of Knowledge that you carry within you. In your deeper practice periods, repeat your invocation and then enter into the sanctuary of Knowledge in stillness and in humility.When your practice period is complete, once again repeat today’s invocation.Allow your mind to engage itself with that which is beyond the limited scope of human involvement, for Knowledge speaks of a greater life within the world and beyond. It is this greater life which you must now entertain. It is this greater life which you must now receive, for you are a student of Knowledge. Knowledge is greater than the world, but Knowledge has come to the world to serve.