The Intent of Prayer vs. The Effect of Prayer

Written by Patricia Zimmerman

Finding God and the Power of Prayer

Many people believe the only place to find God is in a church. This is not true. The only place you can truly find God is within your own soul, for God is Love. You can feel God’s presence in a church, in nature, or wherever your heart experiences love.

Church buildings can provide a sacred space where people feel reverence and thanksgiving. The collective spirit can be uplifted into the Love and Light of God, much like it can be in nature. In this sense, a church service acts as a single, unified prayer capable of touching the universe.

However, not all prayers are equal in energy:

  • Some prayers are faint ritual observations, with little real energy.

  • Others are expressed in extreme distress or anxiety, which can distort energy and even contribute to universal imbalance.

  • Effective prayer requires a smooth, loving energy flow, which benefits the soul and the universe alike.

Intent vs. Energy in Prayer

The intent of a prayer may differ from its energy flow. For example:

  • A self-centered, greedy prayer may be intense, but it lacks love and alignment.

  • A prayer for the well-being of another, offered in balance and love, positively contributes to both the individual and the universal consciousness.

Each soul has a pre-birth agreement, which includes lessons and experiences chosen for spiritual growth. Prayers that attempt to change these lessons may conflict with the soul’s purpose.

How to Pray Effectively

  • Pray for the “very best and highest good” for yourself or others.

  • Avoid directing intense emotion toward a specific outcome. The conscious mind is rarely aligned with the soul’s plan.

  • By allowing energy to flow freely, your prayer contributes harmony to both the individual and Earth’s consciousness.

  • Trust that the outcome will be as it should be, according to the soul’s contract.

Prayers for the Living and the Departed

  • Prayers for loved ones who have passed bring comfort and healing.

  • Balanced prayers for those who are alive support their spiritual growth and ongoing lessons.

  • Prayers in balanced energy—aligned with love and pure intent—are the most beneficial for all souls, living and departed.

Blessing to you on your journey!