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Practical Prayer

Rev. Bill Marchiony, DD & Carol L. Lawrence

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The most effective prayers in virtually every religion and spiritual practice throughout history follow the same pattern. Rev. Bill Marchiony and Carol L. Lawrence talk about the five-step formula for Practical Prayer, and the shift in perspective that can be required to allow our prayers to create real new experiences in our lives. Each weekly episode digs into the topic from a fresh angle, providing insight on the ways that our beliefs, our upbringing, our education and our society come to ...
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In watching the little kids at Halloween, Carol gave thought to the masks we wear, the roles we play, and how we present ourselves differently to different groups at various times. Rev. Bill brings in the ideas of appropriateness, and authenticity, noting that we can engage differently at different times without hiding our true selves. After more t…
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After more than 170 weekly podcast episodes and a friendship that started during the pandemic, Carol and Rev. Bill FINALLY met in person. The meeting brought out old ways of thinking and fresh new ways to misunderstand what was happening. The two dig into the experience, and the metaphysics behind it. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer…
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Carol notes that there are two concepts, one of of Manifesting... repeating affirmations to create a change in our lives, and one of Divine Timing, in which a power and intelligence way beyond ours is bringing things together. She urges Rev. Bill to point out whether they're connected, and how they work for us. Thank you for listening to the Practi…
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Carol points out that "evolution just happens - you don't get to vote," and that people around her are resistant to change, even though it's going to happen anyhow. Rev. Bill points out that even when nothing changes, there is still newness and change happening. Just try taking one great breath that will last forever! Thank you for listening to the…
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Carol says that religion is dos and don'ts and dogma, brought together with judgement. She believes that spirituality lies beneath it, and can get lost. Rev. Bill agrees, and compares the difference to the ways that we learn to dance. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen! There's more inform…
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Carol has become increasingly aware of the difference between being purposeful, and perfectionism, and the ways that people can deny the presence of the Divine in daily activities. Rev. Bill shares his background as a recovering perfectionist, along with insight about what else shows up when we let go of having the answer. Thank you for listening t…
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It's a double-topic as Carol brings up the disconnect between our feelings and the "serious" nature of our intention-setting and Creative nature. Rev. Bill confirms that our intentions are fired by our feelings, and the importance of belief and enthusiasm in the change that we're inviting. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - p…
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What goes around comes around... karma... You reap what you sow.Carol has found that Traditional Religion includes this idea, but doesn't spend much time talking about it. Rev. Bill explains the New Thought perspective, and how it is a natural expression of the same creative process that is always at work. Thank you for listening to the Practical P…
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This is a Rebroadcast of Episode 34 from January 2022 Carol wants to know about God’s plan, and how predestination and free will fit together. Rev. Bill talks about finding the unique combination of skills, talents and abilities we’re been gifted with, and how we can put them together for good. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcas…
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In her early days in traditional religion, Carol was given a specific, standard technique for meditation. Over the years, the guidance on How to Meditate has changed. Rev. Bill describes the goal and purpose of meditation, and the idea that any technique that gets to the goal is valid and worthwhile. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer …
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Both Carol and Rev. Bill got the idea to revisit this topic from the early episodes of the podcast. It's partly to re-establish this important idea, but even more importantly to share the evolution and growth in understanding that each has been through in the years since beginning the partnership. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer pod…
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Carol was surprised by a conversation with a colleague who is intent on growing their organization the same way that would have been done before COVID. She's wondering about whether our thinking has to evolve when circumstances change. Rev. Bill points out that every change - and every moment - is an invitation for a new idea. Thank you for listeni…
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Since her first days of studying Practical Prayer, Carol questioned who it is that she was praying to. This is one of the elements that sets Practical Prayer apart from the traditional prayer with which she was familiar. Rev. Bill brings up creation stories, trees, and other metaphors to help her understand that it's not so much "who" but "where." …
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Carol's experience with old friends from her days in traditional religion has made her notice that some are inclined toward judgement and even rejection when she talks about her new perspective. Rev. Bill suggests that this could be an assumption - a person's unspoken desire to know that someone agrees with their world-view and beliefs before being…
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Carol is interested in what happens when our use of the Creative process works wonderfully to create new experiences like magic, and then suddenly stops working. Rev. Bill brings it to a broader context, noting that the transformation happens not because we want it to happen, but because we truly believe that it can. Thank you for listening to the …
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In Carol's earlier life, healing prayer was done all the time, but Faith Healing was outside of "church". Rev. Bill digs into the convergence of medicine, healing, and faith, and why one doesn't supersede another. (Rebroadcast of Episode #54 on 6/15/2022) Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen…
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Carol recalls reading Ralph Waldo Emerson when she was very young, and then re-encountering it later to discover that his ideas apply - again - to what's going on today. She and Rev. Bill discuss the ways we can address these "new thought" ideas with people who think in a different way. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - plea…
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Carol found herself telling people that after the age of 50, their experiences will be repeats of previous experiences. Then she found that she was experiences an uncomfortable number of repeats. Rev. Bill helps unpack what's going on, and how to use creative words in a helpful and uplifting way. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podc…
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The fundamental notion of "God is all there is" has been coming up for Carol, especially as people consider the idea of putting their self-care and spiritual practice on a summer hiatus. Rev. Bill discusses why that insight - really understanding the naturte of Oneness- is a transformational understanding for people as they dive into the New Though…
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As we begin our practice of Practical Prayer, we don't have to start with "The Big Stuff", even though it's been demonstrated in miraculous healings, prosperity, and transformation. Rev. Bill explains the power in starting small to prove to ourselves that it works, and using our newfound confidence to build from there. (Recast from 10/13/2021) Than…
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Carol explains that people asking for prayer has always felt a bit awkward, for a number of reasons. Rev. Bill explains the power of Practical Prayer done by another person trained in the practice can provide powerful healing - as good as the requester can imagine, and maybe even a bit better. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast…
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Carol claims to have an "interesting" family dynamic that makes people immediately comfortable with her. A recent experience showed that the comfort is much deeper than she thought. Rev. Bill helps to describe the spiritual context that allows Love to lead, bringing comfort and alignment even when we don't expect it. Thank you for listening to the …
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Rev. Bill has been facing delays and frustration all day, to the point of starting the podcast session a half-hour late. He and Carol discuss the metaphysical aspect of turning away from the events of the day and opening to the Divine flow that's always at hand. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to…
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Our language - the words we use, and the ways we use them - have a tremendous influence on the effectiveness of our prayers. As Rev. Bill explains, the answer is going to be Yes, so we would do well to be very clear about what we're asking for. (Recast from 9/22/2021) Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your frie…
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Carol quotes a Buddhist teaching, which says "when you experience an experience, it comes and goes. When you resist an experience, it persists." Rev. Bill dives into the metaphysics, and the two explore why this happens, and what it's all about. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen! There's …
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"It is with great gratitude for this Goodness that I speak this word of Truth, knowing that it is made manifest without hesitation." Carol is captivated by the end of this prayer for Harmony and Balance from Rev. Bill's "Practical Prayer" book (p.16). The two spend the episode discussing the meaning, the nuance, and the manifestation. Thank you for…
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The methodical exploration of the steps of a Practical Prayer continues with two of the prayers from Rev. Bill's Practical Prayer for Real Results book that made a huge initial impression on Carol. They are both prayers for a perfect meeting. One uses spiritual "God" language, and the other uses "stealth" language that's appropriate for a business …
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Carol takes us back to the basics, with the idea to step through each of the steps of a Practical Prayer with an explanation of what's going on in each one. She and Rev. Bill settle on "Money to Spend, Share and Save" one of the prayers for financial prosperity from the "Practical Prayer for Real Results" book. Thank you for listening to the Practi…
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Carol wants to know what Rev. Bill thinks about "Awakening", or people who say they're awakened. There is also a question of whether awakening is an event or a process. The conversation evolves to include being saved, being woke, and being empathetic. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen! Th…
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Things happen, and then we have an experience, engagement and understanding of them. Rev. Bill observes that this is the way New Thought works. He and Carol explore the way this has played out in recent days with a rare northeastern earthquake, and a solar eclipse, among other things. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please…
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Carol observes that, in Traditional Religion, the ego is viewed as a person being full of themselves, or wanting to be in control in some way. Rev. Bill discusses New Thought perspectives on the helpful and unhelpful aspects of ego. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen! There's more informat…
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Carol continues the conversation about manifesting, diving into the idea that we don't manifest anything. She also found that all sorts of stuff started happening after the Manifesting episode. Rev. Bill agrees that it's God, or the Creative Power that does the manifesting, and we simply provide guidance (or intention). Thank you for listening to t…
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Carol and Rev. Bill dig into the HUGE difference in the understanding of sin between traditional churches and the New Thought teaching. The conversation turns to the ways that sin gets wrapped into judgement, ranking some sins as worse than others, and the power differential that it can set up. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcas…
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A recent Opinion piece in the NY Times described the current trend in "manifesting" as part of New Thought. Rev. Bill, in a posture of righteous indignation, points out that it's not, and why not. Carol observes that "manifesting" is an inch deep and a mile wide, whereas New Thought has great spiritual depth. Thank you for listening to the Practica…
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Carol's experience with "traditional" prayer was that God could answer Yes, No, or Maybe. She always found it troublesome because it starts a prayer with doubt about its effectiveness. Rev. Bill describes how the doubt we find in our own consciousness is actually a powerful diagnostic resource to help us understand our beliefs, and what to change t…
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Carol's account on Facebook was suspended, for reasons that were not apparent. Efforts to correct the situation didn't work, but for some reason she wasn't bothered by it. Rev. Bill helps take the experience to its spiritual context, and how this might fit into the bigger picture of what's going on for Carol. Spoiler: The account had been hacked, a…
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Carol and Rev. Bill go on a wide-range and freewheeling conversation about creation stories, science vs. religion, and the basics of the Science of Mind textbook before settling in on the notion that, no matter what we're praying for, we can always add the intention to experience peace of mind as our newness unfolds. Thank you for listening to the …
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Step three - the Realization - is the heart of a Practical Prayer. Carol wants to talk about it, and the importance of the steps leading up to it. Rev. Bill points out that the Realization is the same as what the self-help movement calls an affirmation, except that it's powered by the Divine creative force that creates everything, everywhere. Thank…
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Carol is back from a fabulous family event that was better than anyone could have planned. It brought to mind that we are in a co-creative process with the Infinite, in which there are some things that are ours to do, and others for us to surrender, open and allow. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends…
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Carol can't get away from "The One". She does a lot of different sorts of creative work, and every time she wants to get into the head space of other creators she realizes that they are ALL channeling the same creative force - the One. Rev. Bill dives in with the observatiion that getting away from The One is not going to work, because The One is a…
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When Carol initially got into the New Thought philosophy she put a lot of energy into learning the language, and the way to say what we mean, and what we want. She and Rev. Bill discuss how important it is to be clear about how our words are RECEIVED. What we intended is not nearly as important as the impact of how it lands. Thank you for listening…
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Carol and Rev. Bill continue the conversation about bringing something new and fresh into our lives, this time with a focus on letting go of what we've had up until now. In the same way that we must exhale to make room for another breath, we must clear a space - in our consciousness or our closet. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer pod…
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Carol observes that we can't just pray and expect something to change - new it happens when we do something different. Rev. Bill suggests that our intention, our consciousness, is where the change begins, and that we get to let go of our attachment to what we've had so far, and partner with the Infinite, doing what's ours to do in order to bring th…
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Carol usually does things in an orderly serial progressions - from A to B to C - but finds that the episodes of the podcast have not tended to build on one another in that way. Rev. Bill points out that every week we're talking about the same thing - Oneness - from a different perspective, and that means that we're free to engage in a fresh way in …
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Carol wants to know why Jesus didn’t do Practical Prayer… or did he? And how do we pray like Jesus? Rev. Bill gives us the instructions from Jesus on how to pray, and create our own miracles. (This is a rebroadcast of Episode 13). Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to listen! There's more informatio…
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There's a tradition of focusing on what we want to be "new" at this time of year. Carol found that, in her years on the traditional pulpit, people wanted their life to suddenly and miraculously be transformed when the calendar rolls over. Rev. Bill points to the way that harvest season has made way for winter, and that newness is inherent as we pas…
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Carol wants to talk about Oneness, and Rev. Bill is emphatic about how central it is to the New Thought teaching. Carol wants to take it to a personal level, when we find ourselves having to acknowledge that people involved in bad behavior and activities. Do we really have to acknowledge that we are one with the "crazy" people? Thank you for listen…
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Carol has noticed that people sometimes get "stuck" between the second and third steps in their Practical Prayer, describing it as "spiritual indigestion." Rev. Bill observes that this happens when what we're praying for is at odds with what we believe we deserve. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends …
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Rev. Bill is joined by Dr. Robert Brzezinski, the mastermind behind the New Thought Media Network and an ordained minister in the Centers for Spiritual Living. They discuss the language of Practical Prayer and Spiritual Mind Treatment, which are actually the same prayer technique. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please inv…
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Carol wants to talk about "Release". It's the final step in a Practical Prayer, and so ingrained in Rev. Bill's thinking that he can overlook its power and importance. They also talk about the importance of letting go of our attachment to allow our Good to flow. Thank you for listening to the Practical Prayer podcast - please invite your friends to…
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