Today’s blog
Lynn Murphy Mark
A bundle of energy
At my Unity church there is a lot of emphasis on the power of prayer and meditation. As a prayer chaplain for the last four years I have learned for myself that the energy of a prayer is like ripples on a pond: the intention is the stone going into the water and the consequences are the ripples on the surface. The ripples create an ever-widening circle as does the message in the prayer.
Science has revealed the importance of energy and vibration in the Universe. Because we are made of star dust our very existence is that of a radiating source of vitality. We each follow the rules of the infinite space that we live in, a space interlaced with visible matter, invisible dark matter, and the power of constant motion on a cellular level. Atoms and their components vibrate constantly. When I remember that I can see myself as one big collection of atoms always on the move.
Since this energy is a gift that comes with being alive it makes sense that our energetic field can reach beyond the boundaries of our bodies. That means we are capable of sharing it with whoever, or whatever, we come in contact with. And we don’t have to be in close proximity to another being in order to send waves of peace, or compassion over a distance. I think of that beautiful song, “From a Distance”, that says, “…we are instruments marching in a common band…” and, “…From a distance there is harmony and it echoes through the land…”.
There have been studies of a phenomenon called “quantum entanglement” showing that two separated particles can interact instantaneously. When this was proposed to Einstein he was not convinced, and using scientific language, he called it “spooky action at a distance…”. Well, if that’s good enough for old Albert, it’s proof enough for me.
So, I can live with prayer being called “spooky action”. When I pray with a person sometimes they will say they felt the energy of the words moving between us. I feel this every time I go into my heart space and let the words of a prayer form, and an intention arise. There is also a quote from Psalm 19, “May the words from my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable unto you, O God.” I say them before I take my spot in the church’s prayer zone.
Yesterday I had three congregants come with prayer requests. I no longer worry that I will be short on words. I know that sound waves will carry my response to a request from me to the petitioner. Sometimes we pray for people who are far away. I know there is energy that travels from the two people engaged in intentional thought to the recipient. Although we prayer chaplains release the prayer to God, I have had people tell me that our prayer made a difference even when distance is involved.
This morning I got a Facebook request from a friend whose daughter has a severe spinal deformity. It is a bad case of scoliosis. The young woman is having surgery tomorrow to straighten her spine as much as possible, and her mother is requesting prayer. She is going to set up a “text tree” so she can send us updates while we pray for her daughter. This is the kind of request that my prayer chaplain group handles all the time. We are each free to ask for prayer from our colleagues.
Prayer is so important in the Unity faith that there is a part of the organization called, “Silent Unity”. It is a 24/7 prayer vigil that has been ongoing since the early 1900’s. Anyone can call at any time, with any kind of prayer request, and someone live will pray with the caller. In case you want to try it, call 1-816-969-2000. You will get an affirmative powerful prayer that flows from just outside of Kansas City to any place in the world. That’s a lot of energy exchange right there!