The Power of and Infinite Possibility

Week 2: The Power of Prayer: Communion with the Divine

Facilitator Guide

Week 2: The Power of Prayer: Communion with the Divine

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1. Welcome – ​

2. Opening prayer

3. : Divine Ideas My​ mind is open and receptive to an unlimited flow of divine ideas.

Decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways. Job 22:28

4. inspirational quote

Our thoughts are and we are always praying. ​ Our thoughts are prayers; listen to what you’re saying. Seek a , a state of peacefulness And know that is always there And every thought becomes a prayer. Lucile Olson

5.Check in – “aha” moments, desire manifestations, seedling updates, concerns, etc. (Limit to 2 minutes per person.)

The week’s material

If you put your soul against this bar with me, the Power that made the Universe will enter your sinew from a source not outside your limbs, but from a holy realm that lives in us. Sufi poet Rumi ​ ​

Prayer is the foundation of Unity. The healing powers of Affirmative Prayer began in the 1880s when Myrtle and Charles Fillmore each experienced physical healings from their prayers and faith in God. Today, prayer remains the guiding foundation, as witnessed by the more than two million people annually who contact Silent Unity for prayer support.

According to recent Pew Research Center’s “Religious Landscape Study”:

1. At least ½ of Americans pray daily; less than 25% say they seldom or never pray. 2. Prayer isn’t exclusive to the religiously affiliated – 20% of the unaffiliated pray daily; 18% of the unaffiliated pray weekly or monthly. 3. Prayer is bipartisan and multi-cultural.

4. The more religiously observant Americans are, the less likely they are to view science and religion as antagonistic.

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In other studies: 1. Prayer is positively associated with well-being and physical health. 2. In older adults, negative effects of financial problems on health were seriously reduced among those who regularly prayed for others. 3. Prayer is psychologically beneficial for those who perceive God as loving – BUT may cause anxiety for those who view God as distant and unresponsive. 4. Prayer has been found to reduce unhealthy behavior. 5. Prayer helps promote the value of sacrifice as well as the strength of relationships. 6. Prayer and are highly effective in lowering our reactions to trauma and negative events. 7. The parts of the brain involved in prayer are the medial prefrontal cortex and the posterior cingulate cortex – mid front and back portions. – the parts involved in self-reflection and self-soothing. (shown by MRI images). When these reflective regions of the brain are activated, parts of the brain associated with taking action are inactivated by shifting one away from frightened and stressful survival mode into an “intentional state.” 8. “Feel good” chemicals – including oxytocin – are released in the brain during prayer. 9. Medical evidence now supports the view that prayer helps in the healing process.

Other scientific studies of prayer have measured the effect of prayer on the growth rates of bacteria, plants and tumors in animals – even biochemical reactions.

Researchers in France and at the University of Tennessee used prayer to inhibit the growth of fungi in petri dishes from as far away as 15 miles.

The MANTRA Study Project at Duke University in 1998 used a double-blind study of 150 cardiology patients. Those in the “prayed for” group showed a 50-100% reduction in adverse effects after angioplasty and cardiac catheterization, compared to standard therapy group without prayer. Many religions were represented in those praying – Buddhists monks, Catholics, Unity and others.

Per renowned prayer researcher Larry Dossey, MD, “Consciousness, in general, and prayer in particular, is nonlocal – the mind is not localized or confined to one body but extends outside it ... implying consciousness and prayer are infinite in space and time – omnipresent - everywhere in time and timeless, eternal.”

In the mainstream Western view, prayers must be sent to the deity/Divine, who then deflects the ​ ​ prayer to the object of the prayer. We cannot simply pray for someone/something; our prayers must ​ ​ first be directed to the source of the power.

Discussion: What results have you seen/experienced from prayer? To “whom” were you praying?

The many kinds of prayer

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For many of us, our first memory of prayer is, “Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.” What a great thought for a young child as the lights were turned out and he/she was left alone to ponder his/her death during the night.

Some of us were required to memorize and recite a bevy of ritualistic prayers, whether we understood them or not. Others of us “knew” we were safe, in the presence of a loving “being” – and we talked to this Presence.

It’s said that praying is “talking to God,” and meditation is listening. So, what are we saying?

1. Asking for what I need/want/give me (supplication).

2. Asking for what we think others need/want/deserve – intercession.

3. Affirmative prayer – affirming the possibilities and our faith in the outcomes. “Thy will be done.”

4. Gratitude – expressing our appreciation and gratitude for our infinite blessings.

5. Emotion/feeling – no words or outward expression. (We’ll discuss later.)

If the only prayer you ever say is, ‘thank you,’ that is enough. Meister Eckhart (? – 1328, German mystic and theologian)

What is prayer?

Prayer is the power that unites us within the cosmos. Gregg Braden

It’s probable that man’s first prayer was “Help me!” or “Save me!” when in danger from a wild animal or foe - pleas to an unseen force. Or maybe the first prayer was one of awe and wonder when looking up at the night sky.

Discussion: How do you/we define prayer?

Prayer is our process to communicate with the Divine – using spoken words or thoughts. • Does the Divine need to be told of our needs/desires/thoughts? Or, does the Omnipotent ​ ​ force already know? (Think quantum entanglement – instant and ongoing communication from the ​ ​ moment of creation)

• In ASKING for something, are we confirming the LACK of it? WANT is a state of lack – not ​ ​ ​ ​ having. DESIRE is a state of calling forth.

Jesus and prayer 4

Throughout his ministry, Jesus incorporated prayer into every aspect of his life. He prayed – blessed/gave thanks for the food before every meal, giving thanks to the Source. He prayed before and after every “miracle” as he harnessed the energy of the Universe.

After raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I know thou hast heard me always; but I said this because of the people which stand by, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. John 11:41 - 42

His most renowned prayer – The Lords Prayer – was his response to being asked how to pray. This ​ ​ prayer contains , requests and gratitude.

Jesus didn’t have to stop and think up a prayer; he was in ongoing communion with the Divine. (The Father and I are one.) He prayed both in groups/public and alone.

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men when thou prayest, … enter into the closet and when thou hast shut the door, pray to the Father, which is in secret. Matthew 6: 5-6

Discussion: What role does faith play in prayer? Is faith necessary for the desired results?

Semantics and agendas

Most religions have a definite set of names, terms, rules and regulations that must be followed. Add in some cultural nuances and you have a recipe for disagreement and conflict at multiple levels.

Among the names for the unknown force/presence we experience are: • God • Great Spirit • Heavenly Father • Yahweh • Source • Divine Mind • Divine Cosmos • Divine Cosmos • Higher Power • Divine Matrix • Universe • Mind of God • Creative Mind • Allah • Jehovah

Western religions/cultures tend to describe/believe in an old, powerful human-like male being “up/out there somewhere” with varying attributes and attitudes. The Old Testament God is one of vengeance, demanding complete compliance and adoration. Based on Jesus’ teachings, the New Testament God is a loving, caring “shepherd/father/provider” whose love is unconditional and eternal – a Creator who desires a personal relationship (The Father and I are one.”). Fearing a loss of power and resources, in the fifth century the Church removed all Biblical references to a direct one-on-one relationship with the Divine and instead created a system of intercessions that are required to access this God Fundamentalists further created even more demands and requirements for access to “find favor” with God.

Eastern religions and spiritual movements believe in a divine, indescribable power but not a specific named being that creates and orchestrates all that is.

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Unity: There is only one Presence, one power and one activity active in my life and in the Universe: God, the Good, omnipotent.

But we are fine substituting a myriad of names and references to the Divine. Personal choices based on our experiences and perceptions are welcomed. We believe that we are each made of and “in the likeness of” this Creator; therefore, we cannot be separate. Just like drops of water in the ocean, we are one with, enveloped by and connected to this Presence. There is nowhere where God is not – no distinction where that Divine energy stops and ours starts.

Discussion: Do we pray to or become one/commune with this Presence? Does our ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ conception of this Presence matter?

In Teach Us to Pray, Charles Fillmore said: “Omnipresence is that spiritual realm which can be ​ ​ penetrated only through the most highly accelerated mind action, as in prayer. Thus, in unfolding this inner kingdom we are dealing with a reality beyond our ordinary comprehension of man.”

“Our most effective prayers are those in which we rise above all consciousness of time and space. In this state of mind, we automatically contact the Spirit of God.”

When I pray, I feel my heart go deeper into my God. Daniel Nahmod

Charles Fillmore taught that the God is power, wisdom, substance, love, life, mind and truth. “It is man’s exalted idea of God and his disparaging ideas of himself that have built the mental wall that separates them.”

Most of us were taught that God is separate from us because we are less than, unworthy. (Blame Eve and that whole Garden of Eden incident.) It’s hard to erase those ingrained tapes – though we FEEL the connection, the Oneness with the Sacred.

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience. Teilhard de Chardin (1 May 1881 – 10 April 1955) ​ ​

Discussion: In The Dynamic Laws of Prayer, Catherine Ponder said: “In true prayer, we ​ ​ turn within, not without – in communion with God.” Do our prayers go outward – out there – or to the Divine within? Does it matter if we pray out loud or silently?

Our sense of Oneness is usually most profound in the silence – when we are free from outer distractions and interference. Catherine Ponder said that we must be willing for everyone involved to be just as blessed by prayer as you wish to be. She also says that:

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Prayer releases the highest form of energy in the Universe as it links you with God energy, which is your Source when you pray, you release an atomic force. Through prayer, we tap into the … operation of higher laws of supreme mind and spirit.

How does prayer work? We don’t yet know the scientific principles – other than the demonstrated influence of our intention.

In Secrets of the. Lost Mode of Prayer, Gregg Braden explained that our ancestors preserved the ​ ​ knowledge of prayer – why it works and how we may use it in our lives – in massive temples, hidden tombs, ancient monasteries, language and customs that haven’t changed in 5000 years. This information has been pushed aside or hidden.

Blessing is the ancient secret that releases us from life’s hurt long enough to replace it with another ​ feeling. Whether you hold the FEELING of blessing for a nanosecond or a day, you temporarily suspend the cycle of pain, anger, resentment, etc. This opens the door to healing and moving forward in one’s life.

He goes on to say that we must EMBODY in our lives and conditions that which we wish to experience in our world. We must FEEL as if our prayer has already been answered – rather than plead for help ​ ​ from an outside source.

th Experiments late in the 20 ​ century confirmed that we are “bathed in a field of energy that connects ​ us with all the events of the world.” In this Divine Matrix/Mind of God, etc., our prayers/thoughts within us are carried into the world around us: Where do I “stop” and you “begin”?

Prayer speaks to this field. FEELING IS THE LANUAGE OF PRAYER. We connect with the Presence – ​ ​ this Web of Creation, Spirit of God – without words. We FEEL GRATITUDE – as if the prayer is already ​ answered.

Ask without hidden motive and be surrounded by your answer. John 16: 24

The existence of the Field suggests that a great intelligence is responsible for our physical world. We must assume behind this force the existence of a conscious and intelligent mind. This is the matrix of all matter.” Physicist Max Planck

Do not pray for peace. FEEL peace. BE peace. And dwell in gratitude. Prayer is a state of BEING – not ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ something we do or say.

Questions? Comments? 7.Meditation

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We relax, knowing that the Presence that breathes us, protects and restores us. We are safe, loved beyond measure.

In this time of communion with our Creator, our Source, we rest in the silence the … same silence that fills each atom and the Universe. We know this Sacred Presence is God, the Most Holy. In this silence, we are filled with peace, with love and with joy. This is our prayer.

We simply are. At one with all that is. Just as the night sky is endless, infinite beyond our imagination, so is our connection to this Sacred Love. This is the place of infinite possibility – where miracles and blessings are made manifest by our feelings of gratitude for all that is, all that ever has been and all that ever shall be.

And we rest in this silence, knowing that we and the Creator are one, inseparable, eternal. We are enveloped by the presence and power of the Divine.

We return to this physical place, filled with a new peace, a new sense of possibility. We say, Thank you, God, for this opportunity to commune and share the joy of life. And so it is. Amen.

8. Prayer partners As prayer partners we hold each other in the presence of love and light each day. Once a week, at an established time, we come together across the distances to stop and pray with our partner. Journal your thoughts daily after your prayer time: What do you feel? What do you know? What guidance have you received?

To assign prayer partners: Write each person’s name on a piece of paper and place into a bag or bowl. Then draw out two at a time.

Return the names to the bag or bowl and draw out two groups of four. Each twosome and foursome will decide their day and time to “meet” online or in a conference call to pray.

Each person will set his or her intention for the week to be held in prayer – and record it in the journal pages.

Assignment: 1. Read the material for Week 3– The Power of Prayer: Opening to the Infinite. ​ ​

2. Be ready to discuss the questions in the weekly study guide.

3. Record your thoughts, questions and “aha” moments in the week’s journal pages. 8

4. Continue to monitor your seedling and bring a photo of its weekly growth.

5. Hold the vision of a heart-felt healing in our world.

9.Closing prayer

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