The power of affirmative prayer

When I first arrived at Unity, I did not pray. It made no sense to me: This idea that we prayed to a God ‘out there somewhere’ who was supposedly receiving prayers from millions of people, all asking for different things, many of which counteracted another. Whose need was greater? Did a good person have prayers answered ahead of someone not deemed good? Who decides who is good? Asking this God to answer my prayers just did not work for me.

Truthfully – it does not work for me now. Why? I do not pray to a God ‘out there’. Unity has helped me experience God within me, instead of a being separate from me, whom I need to beg to get help to ensure all my needs are met!
 
Unity describes God (Source, Creator, Infinite Love, Divine Mind, Universal Presence or whatever term works for you) as ‘Beingness’. In other words, the experience or qualities of goodness, described by us in many ways (love, wisdom, life, strength, peace, joy etc.) Where do I find these qualities? They are already within me, as God and I are one. The very words and teachings of Jesus are real and true for every single one of us, when we make this our focus: when we ‘follow in his footsteps’. (For more detail about Unity’s beliefs click here: https://www.unityuk.org/beliefs.html)
 
Affirmative prayer guides us, through our thoughts, words and actions, to tune into this energy or experience of oneness to know that our good is already here and available – it is a matter of re-tuning our minds and hearts into this experience. It calls forth our good, here and now.
 
It is such a different way of praying. No more begging or feeling unworthy or superior. Affirmative prayer is ‘knowing’, at a deeper level, that we are all equally important, beloved and loving, because we already are one with God and our good.
 
Of course, this is not always our experience, so a huge shift in how we think and respond to our world is called for. This shift in consciousness is what changes us. Yet we can do this because God and I are one and we have tools to help us.
 
Affirmative prayer is one such tool. For it is positive and in the present moment. We often use the statement I AM – just as Jesus did. “In the Mind of God, I am alive, and enlivened, through the power of Divine Life.” “I am healthy, whole and well.” “I am guided to my infinite good.” “I am peace – and I respond as peace in the world.”
 
This is how we pray in Unity. This is how we pray when we come together for Unity’s annual World Day of Prayer in September. We will explore this way of praying at our September retreat, focused on health and healing.
 
Join us online for our World Day of Prayer. Join us in person at our retreat at The Kairos Centre, SW London, and experience the power of affirmative prayer for yourself.
 
I look forward to sharing both these events with you. For it is when we come together, that we really learn, grow and serve our world.
 
Rev. Kimerie Mapletoft
Director of Silent Unity and Daily Word UK