Written by: Kathleen Ginn
1st April 2025

In this blog post I will be sharing my understanding of how affirmative prayer and intention are an important self-care practice of Spirit Keepers.

Metaphorical Story Showing Choice of Focus
The story of two wolves is a Cherokee Indian legend illustrating the most important battle of our lives―the one between good and bad within us and the power of choice. Here is how the story goes:

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.

“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.”

He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

What is Prayer?
Prayer is a natural reaction for many who find themselves in a bit of a pickle and feeling overwhelmed by a particular situation.

Prayer is a form of spiritual practice which involves communication with a higher power, deity, or spiritual entity. It can take many forms, including:

• Affirmative prayers: a metaphysical technique that focuses on a positive outcome for a negative situation.
• Meditative prayers: These involve focusing on a specific mantra, image, or concept while connecting with a higher power.
• Silent prayers: These are internalized thoughts and feelings directed towards a higher power.
• Spoken prayers: These can be recited from religious texts, composed spontaneously, or simply spoken from the heart.

How Does Prayer Affect Brain Wave Patterns?
Limited research suggests prayer as a self-care spiritual practice may have some influence on brain wave patterns. Some studies have shown that during prayer or meditation, individuals may experience:

• Decreased beta wave activity: Beta waves are associated with mental activity and alertness.
• Increased alpha wave activity: Alpha waves are associated with physical relaxation and a state of calm alertness.

What is Intention?
Intention is essentially your purpose, aim, or goal for something and refers to a mental state where a person commits themselves to a course of action.

Examples of intentions:
o Every day: “I intend to finish this report by 5pm today.”
o Long-term: “I intend to learn a new language this year.”
o Relationships: “I intend to be a more patient and understanding partner.”
o Spiritual: “I intend to cultivate more compassion in my life.”

Intentions can be seen to be:
• Action-Oriented: Intentions are closely linked to actions. These actions guide your behaviour and decisions, influencing how you approach tasks and challenges.

• Core Concept: Intention is about having a clear and focused mind. It is not just about wanting something but actively choosing and committing to it.

Why are Intentions Important?
• Focus & Direction: They provide clarity and direction, helping you stay on track and avoid distractions.
• Manifestation: Some believe that by setting clear intentions, you can increase the likelihood of achieving your goals (though this is a subject of debate).
• Mindfulness: The process of setting intentions can increase self-awareness and help you align your actions with your values.
• Motivation: A strong intention can be a powerful motivator, driving you to take action and persevere through challenges.

Affirmative Prayer is a prayer integrated with the power of intention. Therefore, let’s be clear on what the difference is between the two.

What is the Difference Between Prayer and Intention?
Prayer and intention, while related, have distinct characteristics:

Prayer:
• Focus: Primarily directed towards a higher power, deity, or spiritual entity.
• Form: Can be silent, spoken or involve ceremonies and rituals.
• Nature: Often involves supplication, asking for guidance, blessings, or intervention. Can also be a form of praise, thanksgiving, or confession.

Intention:
• Focus: Primarily directed towards a desired outcome or goal.
• Form: Can be a conscious thought, a mental image, or a written statement.
• Nature: A mental state of commitment and focus on achieving a specific aim.

Key Differences Between Prayer and Intention:
• Direction: Prayer is directed outward, towards a higher power. Intention is directed inward, towards a personal goal or desired outcome.
• Outcome: Prayer often seeks divine intervention or guidance. Intention focuses on personal effort and action to achieve a goal.
• Relationship: While distinct, they can overlap. Prayer can be used to set intentions, and intentions can be infused with spiritual meaning.

In summary, prayer is a form of spiritual communication, while intention is a mental state of purpose and commitment.

Using Affirmative Prayer in Healing and Wellbeing
As stated above, affirmative prayer is a type of prayer or metaphysical technique that focuses on a positive outcome rather than a negative situation.

Here’s a breakdown:
• Belief in the Outcome: A key element is the belief that the desired outcome is already a reality, even if it’s not yet apparent in the physical world.

• Focus on the desired outcome: Instead of dwelling on problems or illnesses, affirmative prayer centres on the desired state of health, well-being, or other positive outcomes.

• Present Tense Affirmations: It often involves stating these desired outcomes in the present tense, as if they have already occurred. For example, instead of praying “Please help me get better,” an affirmative prayer might be “I am healthy and strong.”

Example of an affirmative prayer for yourself:
Instead of: “Please God, help me find a job.”

Affirmative Prayer: “I am now guided to my right and perfect employment.”

Example of an affirmative prayer for your clients:
Instead of: “Please God, help my client ‘Sandy’ find a way back to health and wellbeing.”

Affirmative Prayer: “Sandy is now guided to knowing, loving and healing herself through intentional healing practices.”

Using Intention in Healing and Wellbeing
As stated earlier in this post, intention is commitment to a desired outcome. It is about the actions that follow the affirmative prayer by working with a specific set of steps or techniques. Much of modern healthcare is about not having to action much change in mind, body or spirit.

As a Spirit Keeper and healing facilitator, working with a client to set a specific intention for their own healing and wellbeing is an important step in their healing journey. However, to take time to create an intentional specific programme of research, activities and self-care practices is an even more powerful way of supporting them to follow the commands of physician-patient know, love, heal and free yourself as part of their healing journey. Wisdom can be heard, however, it can only become functional when it is embodied through action.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
It is important to note that the effectiveness of affirmative prayer and intentions may vary depending on individual beliefs and practices. However, many healing practitioners find these techniques to be valuable tools in their work.

In conclusion, affirmative prayer and intentions can be powerful tools for healing practitioners and spirit keepers, offering several potential benefits:

1. Enhanced Focus and Intention: Affirmations can help practitioners clarify their goals and intentions for each healing session. By actively stating their desired outcomes, they can create a more focused and directed energy field.

2. Increased Confidence and Self-Belief: Regularly affirming their abilities and the positive impact of their work can boost practitioners’ confidence and self-belief. This can lead to more effective healing sessions and a stronger practitioner-client relationship.

3. Manifestation of Desired Outcomes: Some practitioners believe that affirmative prayer and intentions can help manifest the desired healing outcomes for their clients. While the mechanism is not fully understood, this belief can be a powerful motivator for both practitioners and clients.

4. Personal Growth and Well-being: Engaging in affirmative prayer and intention setting can also benefit the practitioner personally. It can help them cultivate a more positive mindset, reduce stress, and enhance their overall well-being.

5. Positive Energy Field: Affirmative prayers and intentions can create a positive and supportive energy field within the healing space. This can help clients feel more relaxed, open, and receptive to the healing process.

Metaphorical Story Demonstrating Intention & Affirmative Prayer
The old oak tree stood sentinel over the meadow, its branches gnarled and twisted by a century of storms. Beneath it, a tiny seedling, barely a sprout, struggled to push its way through the thick mat of grass. The oak, with its vast, interconnected root system, drew sustenance from the deep earth, its leaves catching the sunlight, converting it into life-giving energy. The seedling, however, was weak, its roots shallow, its leaves barely unfurling.

The oak, in its wisdom, observed the struggling seedling. It knew the harshness of the world, the biting winds, the scorching sun, the relentless trample of grazing animals. It felt a surge of compassion, a deep-seated desire to see the seedling thrive. And so, it began to send subtle currents of energy, not of dominance or control, but of gentle encouragement, of unwavering support.

The oak, through its vast network of roots, subtly nudged the seedling’s roots deeper into the earth, guiding them towards pockets of rich, moist soil. It whispered through the wind, shielding the delicate sprout from the harshest gusts. It subtly influenced the sunlight, ensuring the seedling received the warmth and nourishment it needed.

The seedling, though unaware of the oak’s influence, began to respond. Its roots grew stronger, delving deeper, reaching further. Its leaves unfurled, growing larger, more vibrant. It began to push through the grass, its stem strengthening, its spirit growing bolder.  Years passed. The seedling grew into a sapling, then a young tree, its branches reaching towards the sky.

The oak, now ancient, watched with pride as its protégé flourished. It knew that its own strength had not diminished but rather multiplied through the nurturing of another.

And so it is with the human spirit. We are all interconnected, each of us a part of the vast, living tapestry of existence. Our intentions, our prayers, though seemingly small and insignificant, have the power to ripple outwards, influencing the lives of others, creating a chain reaction of growth and transformation.

Just as the oak nurtured the seedling, we can nurture each other, offering support, encouragement, and unconditional love. We can send out our intentions, our prayers, like seeds of hope, planting them in the fertile ground of the collective consciousness. And as these seeds take root and blossom, we will all be lifted higher, our spirits soaring towards the light.