Corresponding Text Section
Chapter 9: The Plan of Atonement
2. The Sure Answer to All Prayers
Everyone who has ever tried to use prayer to request something has experienced what appears to be failure. This is not only true in connection with specific things that might be harmful, but also in connection with requests that are clearly aligned with this Course. Instances of failure to receive what has been requested of a harmless or positive quality might be incorrectly interpreted as “proof” that this Course isn’t reliable. In response to such a conclusion it should be remembered that this Course repeatedly states that its purpose is to facilitate the release from fear. If you were to receive answers to prayer requests that would end up perpetuating your fear, or making you more fearful, this would defeat the purpose of this Course.
Let us suppose, for instance, that something you request of the Holy Spirit is what you believe you really want, but that on some level you are still afraid of it, that is, of receiving it. If this were the case, the answer to your prayer would no longer be what you truly want, i.e., without feeling conflicted about it, even if it is what you think you want. This accounts for why certain specific forms of healing are not achieved, even though the state of healing is. It frequently happens that an individual asks for bodily healing because they are fearful of physical symptoms or harm. However, at the same time, if they were healed physically, the threat to their thought system would be considerably more fearful to them than the physical symptoms they are requesting to be released from. In such a case, the person would not really be asking for release from fear, but rather for the removal of a symptom that they themself had already chosen to experience out of fear. Such a request would, therefore, not be for actual healing.
Sacred scripture emphasizes that all prayers are answered, and this must be true if it is also true that no genuine effort, including the effort of prayer, is ever wasted. The very fact that one has asked the Holy Spirit for anything is ultimately an invitation for attunement and ensures a response. But it is equally certain that no response to prayer requests given by the Holy Spirit will ever be one that would increase fear. While all prayers are responded to, it is possible that under certain circumstances Spirit’s Answer will temporarily not be able to be heard. It is impossible, however, that Spirit’s Response to any invitation for attunement can be lost. In fact there are many responses and answers to prayer that you have already received in spirit but have not yet recognized. I assure you that they are waiting for you. It is indeed true that no genuine effort is ever wasted.
A sure way to know that your prayers are answered is to always trust the Truth in your sisters and brothers. Be faithful to their reality, free from confusion or bewilderment, even when they have forgotten it, for your faith in them is your faith in yourself. If you would know the Divine and Its Answer, believe in me, because my faith in you cannot be shaken. Can you ask of the Holy Spirit truly, and doubt the Truth in your brother or sister? Trust in them because of the Truth in them. By placing your attention on this and discarding all else, you will unite with their reality, and your communication together will be true, being unconflicted. As you hear the Truth in them, you will hear me.
Listening to Truth is the only way you can hear It now, and finally know It. The message you receive from your sisters and brothers is your choice. What do they say to you? What would you have them say? Your decision about who they are determines the message you receive from them. Remember that the Holy Spirit is in them, and Its Voice speaks to you through them. What can your holy sisters and brothers truly communicate to you except Truth? But are you listening only to this?
Your brother or sister may not remember who they are, but there is a Light in their mind that knows. This Light can shine into your mind, dispelling the darkness between you so you are able to hear the Truth they bring. This Truth is the Holy Spirit’s Answer to you. Is your faith in them strong enough to allow you to listen and hear? Awakening can only be with our sisters and brothers. The Holy Spirit extends from your mind to theirs, and answers you. No one can hear the Voice of the Divine in themself alone, because no one is alone. And Spirit’s Answer is only for what we are.
You will know the trust I have in you when you extend it. You will trust the Guidance of the Holy Spirit, and believe that It is for you, when you hear It in others. It must also be for your sisters and brothers because It is for you. Would the Divine have created a Voice for you alone? Could you hear Its Answer except as It answers all of the Divine’s Children?
Hear of your sisters and brothers what you would have me hear of you, for you would not want me to be deceived. I love you for the Truth in you, as our Creator does. Your deceptions may deceive you, but they cannot deceive me. I cannot doubt you, knowing what you are. I hear only the Holy Spirit in you, Who speaks to me through you. If you would hear me, truly hear our sisters and brothers, in whom the Divine’s Voice speaks. The Answer to all your prayers is in them. You will be answered as you hear the Answer in everyone. Listen only to this, and you will hear Truth.
Trust in our sisters and brothers because I believe in you, and you will learn that my belief in you is justified. Believe in me by trusting in them, for the sake of what the Divine gave them. They will answer you if you learn to ask Truth of them. Do not ask for blessings without blessing them, for only in this way, through blessing them, can you learn how blessed you are. By following this Way you are seeking the Truth in you. This is not going beyond yourself, but toward yourself. Hear only the Divine’s Answer in Its Children, and you are answered.
