Dear Spiritual Family,
Are you receiving more prayer requests these days? Our friend, Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith has, over the years, suggested that the news headlines can be viewed as “prayer requests.” Wherever these promptings for Divine help come from, it is reasonable that we do our best to meet them. And equally desirable that we feel our prayers are effective.
We were in Austin, TX over the long weekend that just passed. It was a very consequential visit for us, reconnecting with many friends from our years of service at Unity Church of the Hills and speaking at two different services there. It was an experience of pure joy – celebrating the life of a wonderful man and bringing a message of hope and healing to the hundreds gathered on Sunday morning.
Unexpectedly, we were greeted on Sunday morning by a very close friend who is an amazing leader in Austin in general and in the Turkish Muslim community in the U.S. in particular. Though his demeanor was his usual, calm and deliberate, it was obvious that he was deeply distressed over the tremendous loss of life in his native country. He was on hand to gather funds representing the Dialogue Institute that he is part of and that is providing earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria.
We had an opportunity to visit that afternoon in his home – he, his lovely wife and me, Rev. Steve. We discussed the plethora of challenges his country faces – political prison for thousands of innocents, the plight of all those affected by the earthquakes there and in Syria – the list is long. I listened carefully, mostly in awe of what is before them.
At the end of their sharing, I asked if I could pray with them. The compassion that we shared in those moments was palpable and real. I only hoped that my prayer would be helpful to these two people, their family and friends and countrymen.
After we returned from Texas, Mary reminded me of the lesson in the Teacher’s Manual of A Course in Miracles, that God always hears the prayers of the heart. Words, though sometimes helpful are but symbols of symbols, but the prayers of the heart are always heard. Truth, as we understand it and as taught by the Masters of the Ages, invariably brings peace. Though our minds often get distracted by what is happening in the world, God never changes. The very Essence He made, as each of us, never changes. That Essence cannot die or suffer or be attacked. It simply Is.
When we take this Truth on, as the platform from which we pray, our hearts are full, and we can rest assured that our prayers are heard by a loving God.
Thank you for your prayers for all those for whom you pray. You are a precious channel of the Love that heals and blesses.
We love you dearly,
Rev. Steve and Mary
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