Unity of Phoenix
What is It Like to Be a Prayer Chaplain?
In 2003, when I said I was going to be a Prayer Chaplain at my church, some of my friends and family were quite surprised. I had never been “religious” and their image of me did not match their image of a Prayer Chaplain. In my first Prayer Chaplain retreat, we read Emilie Cady’s book, Lessons in Truth. I had always seen myself as a seeker. She wrote, “Know once and forever that you are not seeking God, but God is seeking you. Your longing is eternal energy wanting to manifest, you need not strive, only let it, learn how to let it.” It brought tears to my eyes. I knew I was in the right program – divine order! As I prepare for my fifth Prayer Chaplain retreat, I know being a Prayer Chaplain is not about the image or the badge; it is about deepening my Prayer: Our focus is praying with others at services and in our monthly calls to our congregants. Rev. Lei Lanni Burt always reminded us that, when we pray with others, “We give away the original and keep the carbon copy.” I am always honored when someone asks me to pray with them. I see it as an opportunity to join our soul energy in affirming the Truth – that God is in everything, no matter what the prayer request, it is about affirming Christ within and the divine flow in which we are immersed. Affirming the Truth – reaffirms it in me. I have been doing monthly phone prayer with some of my congregants for five years. To be a part of their journey is a joy and a gift. Commitment and My Word: Being a Prayer Chaplain is about commitment and service—being available for prayer at four services per month, making monthly calls, and attending a monthly Prayer Chaplain meeting. No matter how life shows up, travel, the fray, the pleasures, I do my life and honor my commitments. Mother Teresa said, “The pathway to Peace is Faith, Love, and Service.” I always come away from Prayer Chaplain service with more energy, peace, and a renewed connection to spirit. Prayer Chaplain Meetings and Retreats: As our spiritual leader, Rev. Alice models and requests us to expand our spiritual consciousness. She and Dorothy Moore ensure our gatherings are a delightful combination of fun, connecting to an amazing group of souls, and opportunities for spiritual growth. She facilitates that with new and interesting ways to offer us processes to heal, to gently confront our fears and limited thinking, and to prompt us to see our greatness. Every retreat, I laugh a lot, cry, and have some profound healing, release, or learn some new way “to only let it….” Perhaps this is the year for you to become a Prayer Chaplain. Listen to see if God is seeking you in this way! Prayer Chaplain Program Lets My Light Shine
I am close to completing my first year as a Unity Prayer Chaplain. I chose the path of Prayer Chaplain to become more involved within the Unity community. I love the Sunday services and saw the Prayer Chaplain program as a way to use my abilities and talents in positive ways. Our Unity vision affirms that each us of are a spiritual light for peace, love, and healing. Serving as a Prayer Chaplain has given me the opportunity to put this vision into practice. I do not feel like this is a duty, but rather that it is an opportunity ... the opportunity to reach out to others and become more of who I am. Today I am one with the Chaplain team, one with Unity, and one with the presence of God that embraces us all. The light within me illuminates more brightly, and I thank the Prayer Chaplain program for allowing me to shine. I plan to continue as Prayer Chaplain for the upcoming year, and welcome anyone and everyone to join me. As I have found, there is nothing to lose and so much that can be gained.
I stepped through the doors of Unity of Phoenix Church in April of 2005 for the first time. I was feeling a little guilty that I was there and not at my regular church. But at the same time, I felt comfortable like I was at home. I had no idea that there was a church that was teaching what I had felt in my heart for so many years. I had heard the universe calling long before to come to Unity, but being the loyal person (or stubborn) I did not listen. But the Universe kept calling. When I felt the nudge to become a Prayer Chaplain, I was ready to listen (although a little hesitant). I did not know what I would do as a Prayer Chaplain. But I did know that I should listen and that God would take care of everything else. He did, everything just fell in place. Prayer Chaplain training with Rev. Alice and Dorothy Moore was so powerful! I had never felt comfortable praying out loud with other people, but what they taught us was to let go of what was going on in our head and to go to our heart and listen to Spirit. God would work in and through me. I learned so much during our training about myself, and what I was holding on to that was holding me back. It was so amazing to see how Spirit was working in each and every one of us to move us forward if we would just listen. Each month we have regular Prayer Chaplain meetings with Rev. Alice and Dorothy to continue to expand our spiritual growth. I truly thought when I decided to become a Prayer Chaplain that I was doing it to serve others, but what I have gained in the process is immeasurable. This past year has been a year of spiritual growth and amazement for me. If you have felt that nudge to become a Prayer Chaplain it is no coincidence. The Universe is calling; are you listening?
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