Prayer and Meditation: Our Connection With God

Many years ago I taught some Bible clubs and Sunday School classes for children. One of the songs we would teach the children was “Whisper a prayer in the morning, whisper a prayer at noon, whisper a prayer in the evening, to keep your heart in tune.” I think this song goes right along with one of the Principles that we teach in Unity, and that is, “Prayer and Meditation are our connection with God.”

A lot of people talk about prayer and meditation, and there are a lot of books about prayer and meditation. Talking about and reading about prayer and meditation are good things, but until you start practicing prayer and meditation, you have no idea what the benefits of prayer and meditation are.

As the little song states, prayer keeps your heart in tune, and I would add to that, especially if you combine prayer with meditation. As we spend time in prayer and meditation then we become familiar with the voice of God leading and guiding us. We tune into this voice, and become familiar with it like the familiar voice of our best friend that we can distinguish from any other voice.

Prayer and meditation also help to expand our experience of God. We come to understand that God is not an old man with a long white beard, “out there somewhere,” sitting on a cloud wanting to wreak judgment on us. We begin to realize that as I John 4: 16 states, “God is love.” God can’t do anything but love, because God’s essence is love. God is omnipresence, which means that God is everywhere present. God isn’t just “out there,” but is right here with us every moment, loving us.

My invitation to you is to spend a regular time every day in prayer and meditation. It doesn’t have to be a specific time of the day. Morning works well for some people, but others find other parts of the day or evening better for them. You can start with just ten minutes, but I have to include a warning, This Has Been Known to Become Habit Forming. This is one habit you won’t want to break.

If you have any questions about starting your own prayer and meditation time, or if you have any questions or comments about it, please feel free to contact me using the Prayer Request form at Positive Prayer. You can also submit your prayer requests there. We are always here to pray with you, and to support you on your journey.

HOPPER HAPPENINGS
On a personal note, Wes has one more week of training at Silent Unity, and then he and I will be on the same work schedule there. It has been fun to bump into him on breaks, and to hear how he and his fellow trainees are coming along. What a continued blessing it is to work there, and to get paid for praying. We are looking forward to our trip to AZ the 26^th of October, and to get to see friends there. I will be speaking at Unity of the White Mountains in Lakeside on October 29^th in their new location. I am excited for them, and proud of how they have been growing and bringing a wonderful consciousness to the Show Low/Lakeside/Pine Top area.

I still haven’t dug out my winter duds and linens, yet, but that will probably happen in the next couple of days. The last few days have been in the 50s for our highs, and sweaters and long sleeves are definitely needed. The Universe continues to chuckle, and what I have learned from this experience, is that I will carefully pack away my summer clothes and make sure they are somewhere I can easily locate when the temperatures climb back up. Life is definitely an experience, and only for the living.

Positive-Prayer.org site launched

A recent affirmation in the "Daily Word" is so appropriate to keep repeating, and perhaps it will speak to you, too. It states, "My life is unfolding in divine order with the perfect timing of events and circumstances. My good is ready for me, and I am ready for my good!" Wes copied this affirmation onto small cards that we have placed around the house to keep the words going through our minds. We know it is the Truth as we continue to pray about our next step in ministry, and where we might be headed from the Kansas City area. We do know that God is in charge, and all is in divine order! Meanwhile, we have been blessing our home and neighborhood where we have been for almost 2 1/2 years, and are grateful for the time we are here for now. We have been so blessed, are blessed, and will continue to be blessed in the future.

The last time I wrote, I told you about a new adventure that I am starting. It is the Positive Prayer Ministry, an on-line prayer ministry. This ministry will expand further when we move to a different location, and then I will be able to give information in regards to my availability to perform weddings, christenings, house blessings, and memorials. With the help of Wes who lovingly prepared the web site for the ministry, the web site is up and running, and I'm so proud of it. I trust you will visit it, http://www.positive-prayer.org, let us know what you think, and sign up for future "Hopper Happenings" that will come only by your request. At the web site you will be able to place prayer requests, and receive a prayer letter back, if you wish.

I would be so grateful if you are also willing to spread the news to your family and friends about this place on the web where they can submit prayer requests, and know their prayer requests will be held in prayer for thirty days with assurance of complete confidentiality.

I am so appreciative of your loving support as we have journeyed these last two years. In these "Hopper Happenings" I have attempted to share with you some of what has been going on with Wes and I as I went through ministerial school. You mourned with us as we said good-by to our faithful companion of over 9 years, Xena, and you celebrated with us as I graduated and was ordained this last June as a Unity minister. Thank you for journeying with us, and being there for us with your love and encouragement.

On October 26th we leave Kansas City and will drive to Show Low, AZ. We will arrive there on the 27th, and I will speak at Unity of the White Mountains in their new location in Lakeside. We will be back in Kansas City on Oct. 31st, just in time to hand out Halloween treats.

Wes started working at Silent Unity this last week, and really enjoyed it, and the people he was training with. It will be a wonderful opportunity to share this work with him. He will be on the same schedule as mine, when he has completed the training, so we can carpool together.

We are enjoying the beautiful Fall colors, and the cool, crisp days here. Leaf raking is in our near future. Part of the blessing of living in the Mid-West.

Thank you for also keeping us up with what has been occurring with you and yours.