Introduction
In a world filled with constant stress, anxiety, and fear, finding inner peace can seem like an impossible task. But what if there was a simple, powerful tool that could help you overcome fear-based thoughts and lead you to a more peaceful, loving state of mind? In her book "The Only Little Prayer You Need," author Debra Landwehr Engle introduces readers to a transformative six-word prayer that has the potential to change lives.
This book isn't just for religious individuals; it's for anyone seeking greater peace and happiness in their lives. Engle's approach is based on the idea that our thoughts shape our reality, and by healing our fear-based thoughts, we can create profound changes in our lives and the world around us.
The Power of a Simple Prayer
A Life-Changing Moment
Debra Landwehr Engle's journey with this powerful prayer began on a cold January day in 2013. While driving her car after picking it up from the mechanic, she noticed an annoying rattle in the dashboard. As the sound grew louder, Engle became increasingly frustrated and annoyed.
In that moment, she became acutely aware of the negative thoughts swirling in her mind. Unable to quiet these thoughts on her own, she found herself instinctively turning to a higher power for help. In a whispered plea to the Holy Spirit, she uttered the words that would change her life: "Please heal my fear-based thoughts."
To her amazement, when her husband Bob got back in the car for the drive home, the rattle in the dashboard had stopped. This seemingly small incident led Engle to a profound realization: her internal perception had changed her external environment.
Shifting Perspectives
This experience taught Engle the truth behind Wayne Dyer's famous quote: "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at begin to change." She realized that this simple prayer had the power to root out negative thoughts and shift her perspective from fear to love.
Unlike traditional prayers that ask for changes in the external world, this prayer focuses on changing the individual from within. By asking for our fear-based thoughts to be healed, we open ourselves up to a new way of perceiving and interacting with the world around us.
The Unique Nature of This Prayer
Healing from Within
Most prayers we're familiar with ask for something in our external environment to change. For example, we might pray for a loved one's health to improve or for financial stability. While these prayers can provide temporary relief, they often don't address the root cause of our fears and anxieties.
The prayer introduced in this book is different. Instead of asking for external circumstances to change, it asks for a change within ourselves. This shift in focus has profound implications for how we approach our problems and fears.
A Practical Example
To illustrate the difference, let's consider a common worry: paying the mortgage. A traditional prayer might be, "Please help me find the money to pay my mortgage this month." While this may provide temporary relief, it doesn't address the underlying fear and anxiety about money.
In contrast, saying "Please heal my fear-based thoughts about our mortgage" goes deeper. It doesn't just lift the immediate burden; it helps release the need to recreate that fear and hold onto it. This prayer works to heal our addiction to fear-based thoughts, freeing us to live with greater peace of mind.
The Power of Perspective
The wording of the prayer is crucial. By using the term "fear-based thoughts," we acknowledge that no matter how big our fears seem, they are ultimately just thoughts – and thoughts can be changed. This prayer helps us shift our perspective, asking for inner change with the understanding that our external world will change as a result.
Incorporating the Prayer into Daily Life
Building a Habit
To fully benefit from this prayer, it's important to incorporate it into your daily routine. Consistency is key, but it's also essential to approach the practice with flexibility and patience.
Some suggestions for integrating the prayer into your day include:
- Saying it first thing in the morning upon waking
- Incorporating it into your bedtime routine
- Reciting it whenever you make a cup of tea or coffee
The key is to find moments throughout your day where you can pause and say the prayer, allowing it to become a natural part of your routine.
Patience and Persistence
When first starting this practice, it's important to be patient with the results. Some people may experience immediate changes in their thoughts or circumstances, while others may not notice any immediate effects. The key is to stick with it, letting go of expectations and allowing yourself to become an observer of the changes that unfold.
It's common to experience initial enthusiasm followed by a dip in motivation. You might find yourself coming up with reasons not to practice the prayer or even forgetting about it altogether. This resistance is normal – it's your ego's way of clinging to familiar fear-based patterns.
Overcoming Obstacles
To overcome these obstacles and fully embrace the prayer, try the following:
- Write the prayer down and place it in visible locations around your home and workspace.
- Set reminders on your phone or computer to prompt you to say the prayer throughout the day.
- Share your commitment with a friend or family member who can offer support and accountability.
Remember, no matter what challenges arise, the key is to keep saying the prayer. With time and practice, it will become an integral part of your life.
Connecting to Inner Serenity
The Two Sides of the Mind
To understand how this prayer works, it's helpful to consider the concept of the two sides of the mind, as described in "A Course in Miracles." According to this spiritual teaching, our minds have two aspects: the ego and the higher Self.
The ego is like the proverbial devil on our shoulder. It's driven by fear, prone to drama, and often demands immediate attention. The higher Self, on the other hand, is like the angel – calm, serene, and grounded in love and divine connection.
In our daily lives, the ego's voice often drowns out the whispers of our higher Self. This is because the ego is constantly fed by the fear present in the world around us – from alarming news headlines to personal insecurities and worries about money, relationships, and the future.
Nurturing the Higher Self
The prayer "Please heal my fear-based thoughts" provides a powerful tool for quieting the ego and connecting with our higher Self. By creating a moment of stillness and intention, the prayer allows us to tap into our inner essence and the love that resides within us.
This practice doesn't demand that we completely eradicate our fears or negative emotions. Instead, it gives us the strength to shift our perspective from fear-based thoughts to love-based ones, such as acceptance, compassion, and forgiveness.
Choosing Love Over Fear
The next time you find yourself approaching a challenging situation and feel fear or anxiety rising, try saying the prayer. It will help you recognize that your worries and insecurities are just your fears talking, and remind you that you have the power to choose love instead.
By consistently using this prayer, you create space for your higher Self to guide you, leading to greater peace, clarity, and inner serenity.
Identifying and Healing Negative Thoughts
The Diet of Drama
Our world is filled with constant noise and chatter – from news broadcasts and social media to workplace gossip and personal worries. This constant influx of information and drama creates what the author calls a "diet of drama" that we unconsciously consume daily.
To truly benefit from the prayer, we need to become aware of our negative thoughts and the fear-based patterns that drive them. This involves tuning out external noise and paying attention to the thoughts that arise in our minds.
Techniques for Self-Awareness
Several techniques can help you identify and examine your fear-based thoughts:
- Journaling: Set aside 5-10 minutes each day to write down your thoughts without judgment.
- Mindful walking: Take a walk without distractions and observe the thoughts that arise.
- Silent commuting: Remove your headphones during your commute and pay attention to your inner dialogue.
- Regular check-ins: Ask yourself what you're thinking at key times of the day, such as first thing in the morning or last thing at night.
As you practice these techniques, it's important not to judge yourself for any negative thoughts you uncover. Instead, try to observe them objectively, as if you were watching a parade go by. You might even say to yourself, "Look at that – another fear-based thought about money" or "There's that worry about my health again."
Creating Inner Peace
While we can't silence the external world, we can cultivate peace within ourselves. The prayer "Please heal my fear-based thoughts" provides a daily opportunity to release negative thinking and start fresh. By consistently practicing this prayer and becoming more aware of your thoughts, you create the conditions for inner transformation and greater peace of mind.
Accepting What We Cannot Change
Facing Multiple Challenges
Life often presents us with multiple challenges at once, and it can be overwhelming to face them all. The author shares the story of Shelley, a woman who attended one of her workshops on the day she lost her corporate job.
Shelley was dealing with a host of problems:
- She had just been fired from her job after months of intimidation from her boss.
- She and her husband were unable to sell their house due to severe structural problems.
- Her mother was unexpectedly moving in with her.
- She was struggling with the effects of Graves disease, an autoimmune disorder.
Despite these challenges, Shelley maintained a calm and positive demeanor throughout the workshop.
The Power of the Prayer
When asked how she managed to stay so composed in the face of such adversity, Shelley credited the prayer. She explained that she said it on an hourly basis, sometimes even minute to minute, to remind herself of her inner strength and ability to overcome her problems.
In the past, fear had dominated Shelley's life. But by consistently using the prayer to heal her fear-based thoughts, she found a sense of peace and even became open to new opportunities, such as starting her own business – something she would never have considered before.
Shifting Perspective, Not Denying Reality
It's important to note that saying the prayer isn't about going into denial or pretending that problems don't exist. Instead, it's about freeing yourself from the grip of worry and fear surrounding things you can't change.
Shelley was still dealing with her challenges, but the prayer helped her revise her approach to them. The biggest difference was that external events no longer had power over her internal state of being.
This shift in perspective allows us to face life's challenges with greater resilience and peace of mind. By asking for our fear-based thoughts to be healed, we open ourselves up to new ways of perceiving and responding to difficult situations.
The Ripple Effect of Happiness
Defining Happiness
Most people have an idea of what their perfect life would look like, but ultimately, what we're all searching for is happiness. However, defining happiness can be challenging, and not everyone feels comfortable with the term.
In a women's spirituality workshop hosted by the author, participants discussed their views on happiness. Some felt the word was overused or superficial, preferring terms like "peaceful" or "joyful." After discussion, the group concluded that happiness brings:
- Freedom
- Forgiveness
- Fulfillment
- Greater peace of mind
Importantly, being happy doesn't mean constantly feeling elated or joyful. Rather, it's about feeling safe, supported, and at peace with oneself and the world.
The Author's Definition
For Debra Landwehr Engle, happiness is the absence of fear and the presence of pure, uncorrupted love. It's a universal human desire, transcending race, religion, gender, sexuality, and culture.
Can the Prayer Change the World?
Many people who have benefited from the prayer wonder if it can help solve larger global issues like violence, poverty, famine, and corruption. While the prayer may not directly dismantle systemic problems, it can create positive change on a personal level that ripples outward.
Returning to Shelley's story, once she began using the prayer and experiencing greater peace, she noticed positive changes in her family as well. Those close to her began approaching problems with more patience and acceptance, freeing themselves from fear-based thoughts that had previously held them back.
Small Changes, Big Impact
While the prayer can't single-handedly end global conflicts or solve complex social issues, it can help individuals make small changes that contribute to greater peace and understanding. As each person strives to be kinder, more accepting, and less driven by fear, these positive attitudes and behaviors spread to others.
This ripple effect of happiness and inner peace has the potential to create significant positive change in communities and, eventually, on a global scale. By healing our own fear-based thoughts, we become better equipped to contribute to a more compassionate and harmonious world.
Practical Applications of the Prayer
Recognizing Fear-Based Thoughts
One of the most valuable aspects of this prayer is its ability to help us recognize when fear is holding us back. For example, if you've been putting off a goal or project – like writing a book, losing weight, or starting a side business – pay attention to the excuses you make.
If you find yourself repeatedly saying, "I've been busy, so I haven't gotten to it yet," it's likely that fear is the real obstacle. When you catch yourself making these excuses, try saying aloud, "I'm going to do it." This simple act can help you notice and hold yourself accountable for the negative thoughts trying to creep in.
Applying the Prayer to Daily Challenges
The prayer can be applied to a wide range of daily challenges and situations:
- Work stress: "Please heal my fear-based thoughts about my job performance."
- Relationship conflicts: "Please heal my fear-based thoughts about my partner's behavior."
- Health concerns: "Please heal my fear-based thoughts about my medical test results."
- Financial worries: "Please heal my fear-based thoughts about my financial situation."
- Self-doubt: "Please heal my fear-based thoughts about my abilities and worth."
By consistently applying the prayer to these areas of your life, you can gradually shift your perspective and approach challenges with greater calm and clarity.
Creating a Supportive Environment
To maximize the benefits of the prayer, consider creating an environment that supports your practice:
- Share your commitment with supportive friends or family members.
- Join or create a group of like-minded individuals who are also practicing the prayer.
- Set up visual reminders in your home or workspace to prompt you to say the prayer throughout the day.
- Keep a journal to track your experiences and insights as you incorporate the prayer into your life.
Remember that the goal is not perfection but progress. Be patient and compassionate with yourself as you develop this new habit and mindset.
The Transformative Power of Love
From Fear to Love
At its core, this prayer is about shifting from a fear-based perspective to a love-based one. When we heal our fear-based thoughts, we open ourselves up to experiencing and expressing more love in our lives.
This transformation can manifest in various ways:
- Greater self-compassion and self-acceptance
- Improved relationships with others
- Increased empathy and understanding for different perspectives
- A deeper sense of connection to the world around us
- More joy and appreciation for life's simple pleasures
Cultivating Love-Based Thoughts
As you continue to practice the prayer, pay attention to the love-based thoughts that begin to emerge. These might include:
- Gratitude for what you have
- Compassion for others' struggles
- Faith in your ability to handle challenges
- Trust in the unfolding of life
- Appreciation for the present moment
By nurturing these love-based thoughts, you create a positive feedback loop that reinforces your new, more peaceful state of mind.
Spreading Love to Others
As you experience the benefits of this shift from fear to love, you may feel inspired to share this practice with others. Remember that the most powerful way to spread this message is through your own example. As you become more peaceful, loving, and resilient, those around you will naturally be drawn to your energy and may ask about your secret.
When sharing the prayer with others, emphasize that it's not about adhering to any particular religious belief but about tapping into the universal power of love and inner peace.
Conclusion: A Path to Inner Peace
"The Only Little Prayer You Need" offers a simple yet profound tool for transforming our lives from the inside out. By consistently asking for our fear-based thoughts to be healed, we open ourselves up to a new way of perceiving and interacting with the world around us.
This six-word prayer – "Please heal my fear-based thoughts" – has the power to:
- Shift our perspective from fear to love
- Increase our self-awareness and emotional intelligence
- Help us face challenges with greater resilience and peace
- Improve our relationships and overall well-being
- Contribute to positive change in our communities and the world
As we navigate the complexities and challenges of modern life, this prayer serves as a beacon of hope and a reminder of our innate capacity for love, peace, and happiness. By committing to this practice, we embark on a journey of personal transformation that ripples outward, touching the lives of those around us and contributing to a more compassionate world.
Remember that this journey is not about perfection but progress. Be patient and kind to yourself as you incorporate this prayer into your life. With time and practice, you may find that this simple tool becomes a powerful ally in your quest for inner peace and a more fulfilling life.
As you move forward, carry with you the knowledge that at any moment, no matter what challenges you face, you have the power to pause, take a breath, and say these transformative words: "Please heal my fear-based thoughts." In doing so, you open the door to a life filled with greater peace, love, and joy.