Is there something you desire to receive? Maybe more than one something? If so, you may find it easier to receive if you know the law of substitution. I first learned about this law from New Thought author Florence Scovel Shinn in the Game of Life and How to Play It, which she self-published in 1925.
Ms. Shinn tells the story of a woman who was interested in having a certain man fall in love with her. The woman asked Ms. Shinn to treat (pray) for this. The author agreed to pray for divine selection, the man who was meant to be hers by divine right. If this particular man was intended to be her partner, it would be so. The woman made no progress with this gentleman, but did attract another with whom she fall in love and experienced great happiness. As Ms. Shinn explained, “This shows the law of substitution. A right idea was substituted for a wrong one, therefore there was no loss or sacrifice involved.”
Along these lines, many spiritual teachers state that being specific in our prayers is fine, as long as we add “this or something better” to our request. This addition allows the law of substitution to take effect. If you’ve been stalled with your receiving, don’t be afraid to consider the law of substitution. Remember that according to Ms. Shinn, there is no loss or sacrifice when the right idea is substituted for a wrong one.