Prayer hotline offers strength in Silent Unity

Are you finding the New Year not quite so new, because the "same old, same old" followed you right in with it? Are New Year's Resolutions harder to keep than you thought, while old habits seem to cling like sticky store price tags, or spidery cob webs?

Some troubles just seem to continue year after year. It might be health problems, or a car that constantly needs fixing, or an adult child that can't seem to find his or her way. It might be your finances: bad investments, high credit card interest rates, or college loans due. Perhaps a dream has stalled, hasn't come true, and now it seems like it never will.

If this is the case, what's really new about the New Year? Psychotherapists know they will be busier in January than any other time of the year. It makes sense; the high and the hoopla of the holidays are over. After Thanksgiving, life's problems get set aside so all can partake in Christmas merry-making. Come January the Christmas tree is put away, and guess what steps forward? 

The great thing about God is you never need an appointment to lay on HIS couch, and talk to Him. No high fees either. You aren't limited to talking for just an hour, you can talk the whole night. The best not-new idea of the New Year is prayer, it's the answer. 

An example of the power of prayer can been seen in the life Myrtle and Charles Fillmore, founders of the Unity prayer movement. Myrtle was born in Ohio, and contracted tuberculosis early in life. She went to Oberlin College, became a teacher, and in 1877 moved to Texas hoping to recover. Unfortunately Texas wasn't a cure for Myrtle. Around 1886, back in Missouri, now married to Charles Fillmore, the couple attended New Thought classes taught by Dr. E.B. Weeks. Myrtle recovered from tuberculosis, and Charles from a childhood accident. Both attributed their subsequent recoveries to prayer, and methods taught by Weeks.

In 1890 they organized a prayer group, later to be called "Silent Unity." In 1891 Unity Magazine was first published. This was the birth of Unity, what is today a worldwide movement, a way of life based on prayer.

Silent Unity today is a 24/7 prayer line, using affirmative prayer, giving strength to those in need, and open to anyone, for any concern, or trouble. They simply ask, "How may we pray with you?" Call 1-800-NOW-PRAY (669-7729). They accept you in your tender moments, and in your heartbreaking needs. For over 125 years they have been a trusted friend and prayer partner. You can also contact them by mail, 1901 NW Blue Parkway, Unity Village, MO 64065, via the uPray mobile prayer app, or the prayer request form at unity.org. They answer over 5,000 calls and letters a day – no charge!

Unity Spiritual Center of Westlake holds to this prayer tradition with a Wednesday evening Prayer Hour starting at 7 p.m. Join us!