The Practice of Prayer

As we say so often in Unity, prayer is the cornerstone of our teachings and practices, because prayer changes us.

Why? Perhaps because, as Unity minister and author Eric Butterworth wrote, “Prayer in Unity is designed to help us discover God’s presence. …. As we get a greater perception of our relation to the universe, there is no one to pray to … only a universal flow to get into; a spiritual energy to pray from ... The science of prayer is not a technique for getting into God, or for getting God into us. It is the awareness of our true self in its largest possible context and the key to changing things by altering our self-limiting attitudes.” (The Universe is Calling Ch. 1)

Take a moment to reflect on this quote, for there is a lot here. Was this something that was taught to you as a child? Certainly, I did not experience prayer this way, which was probably why prayer did not work for me, until I re-discovered Unity.
Like me, I think many people were taught to pray to a God-presence outside themselves, begging for things to be different and to get God’s attention; praying from a sense of unworthiness and lack. This is perhaps why so many in the world today do not pray until they are desperate and feel they have nowhere else to turn. Not as powerful, loving or connecting an experience as prayer can be.

Of course, as children, we take onboard the self-limiting beliefs of our parents, guardians and teachers, and they the same before them. As children we are like sponges, for without even realising it we soak up and take on the beliefs and demands of our community and culture, to fit in and stay safe. How understandable this is. Yet as Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13: 11-12, “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”
We are called to know ourselves as God knows us – not as someone unworthy, but as made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26).

Prayer in Unity, along with meditation, is the way we can deeply access God-within and our True Self.
Does this speak to you personally? If this sounds interesting and you would like to know more, join us on Zoom to share:

• Our morning Daily Word reflection and meditation, 9-9.25am (Sunday 10-12.25am)
• Our midday prayer service, 12-12.25 Monday to Friday (exc. Bank holidays)
• Our new class – Unity Prayer, running every Wednesday evening in November.

My personal experience of prayer in Unity has without doubt not just changed me, but opened my eyes to see face to face with Love, Wisdom, Truth, Joy and Peace – all God-inspired qualities inherent in us all.
Prayer changes us – let yourself be changed to release the divine flow, the Christ energy within you.