Respect, according to the dictionary, is a deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. Respect is the one of the highest tributes we can pay to God, ourselves, or to another.

In this moment, I call forward the feeling of awe knowing that inherent in this quality is God. God is all there is – Creator of all. There is nowhere that God is not – It is equally present everywhere. It is Love, Goodness, Peace, Beauty, Health, and Happiness. I respect that.

I respect that I am made in the image and likeness of the Creator and that, like It, I am love, goodness, peace, beauty, health, and happiness. I am more than I think and all that I need is already contained in me otherwise I could not desire it.

Knowing that I am whole and fully orbed, I affirm and declare that all the skills and resources I require to do my work are already mine. I live in confidence knowing that my heart is free of worry and unrest. I am certain that all that is required to complete all my tasks is already here or on its way. I am confident in my own abilities, and I respect my own being. The Creator stands with me now and always.

I am so grateful for this knowing – so grateful that my respect knows the Creator and that this respect knows my integrity. I am happy that all that I need and all that I will ever need are already mine to experience. Knowing that this is so, I simply release my word and rest. And so it is! Amen!

Rev Martha Quintana is Senior Minister at the Rio Grande Center For Spiritual Living, Albuquerque, New Mexico.