A prayer of gratitude is a prayer of celebration. We count our blessings. Rather than pray in entreaty, "Guide me and guard me," we pray with conviction, "I am guided and guarded." We do not need to beg for our good; we need only notice it, accept it and affirm it. We might pray, "Thank you for my serenity," rather than "Please grant me serenity." Affirmative prayers assume our requests are already fulfilled. Affirmative prayers assume our right to a divine dowry. We stake our claim as the beloved child of the universe. Of course God will gift us with, "Yes."

It takes practice to gain ease and comfort with affirmative prayers. For many of us, affirmative prayer is a radical act, presuming as it does that we are on good footing with God.

We are.