Prayer can sometimes be a "slippery slope." Because of the way that most of us were introduced to prayer, we can easily find ourselves praying for something. You might ask, What's wrong with praying for peace or compassion or healing? After all, the prayer slips in our prayer box at church give us a suggested list.There is nothing wrong with that. Just be aware that when we pray for something, we are acknowledging that thing is lacking...that it's something we need.Of course, that can be the truth as we are currently experiencing it in our physical world. However, Unity teaches us that which we focus on grows in our consciousness--and also manifests in our physical experience. We also know that the source of all that we need -- i.e., God -- is always available to us if we just remember to tap in.So should we focus on the need, or the fulfillment of the need? It's a subtle difference, but a critical one.There is a simpler way to look at this. UiA member Daniella said it perfectly just yesterday: The purpose of prayer is to awaken.Amen! Let us put aside the need to "do it right" or to understand the subtleties. Let us resolve to awaken. Period.Thanks to Daniella for that succinct insight! - UiA LUT Mary Hanson
