They say prayer is talking-to God, while meditation is listening to God.. The two very well can go hand or hand. Or not. It’s up to you. All I know is parenting is stressful. And prayer and meditation are great tools to help you parent.
“With all these school shootings. I’m seriously considering home schooling.” Postings like these on Facebook Moms groups abound. And I can relate. I’m anxious ridden constantly. Especially after just starting to send my toddler to preschool. Anxious. Nervous. What do I turn to? Prayer. As a child I attended a Christian church. That’s how I learned to pray. In college, I took a world religion class as the notion of God has always intrigued me. And whatever you believe, whether it’s God, Allah, Buddha, Higher Power, the Universe, or even your Higher Self, it helps to take a minute to sit in silence and pray.
What I’ve learned about Meditation
In college (which was longer ago than I care to admit) I took a formal meditation class. Contrary to what I once heard about meditation, it is not “trying to clear your mind” or “having no thoughts”.
Meditation is actually sitting down and deep breathing. It’s a form of self care.
Meditation can be watching your mind. Detaching from the emotions of your thoughts. If a thought pops up, say, “Oh! I’m so worried about my baby falling”. Acknowledging it as a thought about the future and releasing it.
Meditation can be visualizing. Visualizing yourself wrapped in light. Visualizing your children wrapped in light.
And Meditation is not about taking away all the challenges of life. It’s about learning to surf the waves of challenges of life.
Having Cancer Has Helped me To Pray and Feel Closer to God
When I got pregnant, I hadn’t prayed in years. I had also fallen off practicing the Transcendental Meditation I had learned a year prior.. But my hopes (and prayers) for the life inside of me brought me closer to God. I would pray for my baby in the womb.
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer (while pregnant), I really amped up my daily talking to God. I prayed constantly throughout the intense cancer treatment I went through in 2020.
I remember looking up at the ceiling during my radiation sessions and just praying right before they pushed they pushed the button.
Before my double mastectomy, with the world in chaos around me, I prayed.
During each chemotherapy treatment for that year, I would pray.
And everyday I pray as I take my daily pill medication that I am supposed to take for ten years. Taking those pills actually helps me to remember to pray. Prayer is now as routine as brushing my teeth.
My prayers aren’t grand words or sentences. They’re me talking to God like any person. They’re to ask for healing and help. They’re to ask for protection for me and especially for my baby.
Mostly, my prayers are about gratitude. Thanking God for my life. For the life of my little one. I will always be grateful for our many blessings.
Because I am grateful. And I hope to impart that same gratitude and same relationship with God to my daughter.
What I Teach My Child About Talking to God
My child is only three and we have not found our “church” or house of worship as of yet. I would like her to learn about different religions and allow her to choose what she believes. Personally, I believe all religions lead to the same God.
Just because I don’t have a particular religious affiliation, doesn’t mean I’m not spiritual. In fact, I consider myself to be very spiritual.
I teach my daughter that there is a Universal God that created us all. That we are all equal and connected. And that we can all talk to God anytime not just on Sundays or holidays.
And we pray together often. Sometimes multiple times a day.
Ideas for Meditation and Prayers if it’s All New (or Renewed) for You
There’s no wrong way to pray or meditate. It’s all right! Whether you are speaking out loud or in your head, or writing in a prayer journal just talk to the Higher Power.
What to say when Praying:
- Thank you! (That’s really all you need to say)
- How you are feeling.
- Your worries and concerns.
- Asking for healing.
- People you want to forgive.
- Requesting Guidance.
- Talk about your hopes and dreams.
- Requesting Protection.
My Favorite “Famous” Prayer
The Serenity Prayer was written in 1933 and adopted by Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12 step programs.
It goes as follows:
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
