The Theology of Healing Prayer

I would guess that there have been more books, poems, short stories, and songs written about prayer than any other religious practice, and so as I reflect on my personal theology of prayer, I am struck with a sense of awe and wonder for the power of prayer, and what it has meant to so many people from so many various religions. As I reflect on my own life( and I was taught to pray at an early age in the Southern Baptist tradition ), I associated prayer with physical healing, because I experienced a profound  physical healing through my childlike fervent prayers when I was very young.    Perhaps, this is one reason I was drawn to the Unity movement, because its underpinnings are associated with healing prayer.

If you look closely at healing prayer, you may see, as I do, that all prayer is healing in its very nature. When we pray, a healing takes place. It may be a physical healing, an emotional healing, a lack -limitation healing, a spiritual healing or a mental healing. When Jesus prayed, it was often for physical healing for an individual. Often this individual had been sick for a very long time, and Jesus would always ask if the individual wanted to be healed. I believe Jesus knew we can only be healed with our total acquiescence. If we are not 100% surrendered to Spirit when we pray, the outcome can be questionable. When we pray, are we saying that we want to be healed, or we want to have something righted that is out of place? Which is more important?  When we healed at a spiritual level, all other sorts of good things happen. There is an old adage in 12 step programs; “when we straighten out spiritually, then the physical, mental, and emotional will follow.” There have been times in my life when I just could not see the truth to this old adage. When you want something so badly, a physical healing, relationship problem righted, financial crisis averted; it is challenging to pray for spiritual understanding.

Prayer is healing, whether it is for a broken relationship or a broken arm; prayer is the power that heals. And how does this power of prayer work? It works as Charles Fillmore indicated, when he said that prayer is the most powerful form of mind action known to man. Prayer is power, healing power: and it can range in effectiveness from very effective to very ineffective. Effective prayers are rendered by those who believe fully in its power, like I did as a small child. Ineffective prayers are given by those who want to stick their big toe in the pool of prayer to see if it’s warm or not.  We are better off diving in headfirst into the deep end, throwing open our hearts and minds to the absurdness and faith in answered prayer. Think of it this way, would your prayers be more effective if they are given with humility and grace, or with an air of uncertainty and doubt. If we are indeed channels for God’s expression on this earthly level of existence, then it would only make sense that as we open our hearts and minds fully in prayer that our prayers would be more potent.

I want to thank Unity for teaching me how to pray as an adult. When I go with into the silence, and shut the outer door on thought and distraction, I can sense a connection with Spirit. It is in and through this connection with Spirit that prayers are given and answers are received. This interchange, if you will, takes place in the spiritual realm and is not necessarily discernible to the physical ear. If, as we say, Spirit is the true reality of our existence, then prayer is the way we communicate in the “real” world.

Deontological and Teleological Ethics

I was pleased to discover in Meta Theo 1 this week the difference between deontological and teleological ethics.  My pleasure came from being able to identify  these concepts of reasoning when applied to a moral or ethical decision.  Until class this week,  I simply had to guess at what was happening in this process. I had observed this process in action many times , but I had no idea what it was called. Now I know, and it brings a mischievous satisfaction in being able to spot it and name it. If I can name it, then I can claim it!

 It seems that most people tend to get in line behind the person who is proclaiming deontology as the way to make an ethical decision. After all, this seems like the safe way to go; ascertain what the rules are and apply them systematically to the decision or situation at hand. Pretty clear-cut; end of discussion. But wait, along comes another viewpoint, known as teleological ethical interpretation, whereby the end result is considered before a decision or viewpoint is rendered. If the end result is good, then the means will justify the end. Now this method may sound a little wishy-washy, and a tiny bit controversial, because taking this path implies a judgment call.

 I wonder if one could look at a particular decision, dilemma, or situation and predetermine which method, deontological or teleological, would be most appropriate for the question at hand? I think I heard you say,” I don’t think so “, but then isn't that a deontological viewpoint? Looking at the dilemma or the question at hand and gauging the seriousness of the situation, seems to me to be an appropriate way to choose which method to use. Think of it this way, it would be like going to a card game and playing with phony money versus playing with real money. Seems if one is involved in a poker game for fun, then we wouldn't have to be so concerned about the rules. But, if we were doing some hefty betting, then we would for sure want to be very clear on the rules. So, applying this analogy to the real world, if we have a minor dispute or an insignificant disagreement, let’s allow a little variance in the rules, as long as the outcome looks favorable. But, if we have a life or death situation where the outcome is critical, then perhaps, we better pay close attention to the rules as we move toward a decision. Another way of stating this might be to say, let’s lighten up a little bit on not so serious issues, and be open to applying a teleological process. But when the stakes get high and the issues get very serious with significant implications, bring on the deontological approach. Now, I don't propose that this idea is a hard and fast rule ( deontological) , but more to be used as a guideline when approaching ethical or moral decisions in one's life. 

At this point, you may have thought I have lost my mind altogether, however that is not exactly true. It depends on whether you’re looking at it from a deviant deontological viewpoint or a terrific teleological viewpoint. In a matter as subjective as losing one’s mind, perhaps it might be best to throw both methods out and look at the situation from a contextual viewpoint. Considering the amount of reading, homework ,study  and term papers that are  due soon, contextually I would plead temporary insanity. After the trimester is completed and we are home in front of our fireplaces reading light fiction or watching soap operas on TV , sanity may return, but only for a short while. Winter term is on its way. 

The Unity Church of Tomorrow.

One of the most pressing issues facing Unity leaders today is how do we most effectively  teach Unity truth to those who want to hear it. Do we continue trying to act like a church and have Sunday lessons and Sunday worship services, or do we revert to the Fillmorian concept of study groups, prayer groups and small gatherings where truth is taught and prayer is offered. In those times, Unity didn't compete with other Christian denominations. After all, so much of what Unity teaches can be garnered by individuals through personal reading, informal book study groups, or simply being a loner working these truth principles in solitary. Why would individuals come together to form a community in order to study truth? It seems perfectly reasonable that one could learn truth principles from internet websites, motivational speakers, specialized workshops, small informal groups meeting in coffee shops and conference rooms, and a personal commitment to spiritual growth and unfoldment, without having to attend church or a community on Sunday mornings. What does a Unity church constitute? What are the ingredients in a Unity church service that make its existence not only worthwhile but able to thrive? What aspects of traditional church services are found in a Unity church? Does the existing paradigm of church structure and order fit with Unity theology? 

Unfortunately, the Unity movement is not in a position at this time to answer all these questions, however many view such a nebulous condition as good. They might say that the Unity movement is constantly unfolding, changing and morphing into something new every day. No one would disagree with this idea; nevertheless it’s like the old saying” if you don’t know where you are, it makes going anywhere darn near impossible”.

I am not sure that walking into a Unity church, the visitor should find chairs in a row, hymnals, candles, a podium, a piano, and all the other accouterments found in the traditional church. If Unity is different, and in my mind, there is little doubt of that, perhaps we should look different. Perhaps we should conduct our services differently, with uniqueness and a flare for the spiritual seeker. Did I hear someone say “church in the round”, a “guide” not a minister, seekers not a congregation, questions and answers discussed during the service, time in the silence without interruption, and performers (dancers, musicians, drummers, and artists). 

Well you say, you can change the structure, but we still need a church, a place to experience God, a place to come together in community and be part of something bigger than yourself; to welcome visitors and guests and to give them the opportunity for spiritual growth that you and I have had. This is most assuredly true, but where Unity is going, I don’t think any religious group has gone before, and we better figure out where we are now so we can get there tomorrow.

Unity churches are generally divided into two camps. The Fillmore camp, where practical Christianity is taught, Jesus is talked about and the Bible is read from, and the New Age camp, where “self- help” concepts are talked about and anything which might be considered Spiritual is taught.  I believe the Fillmore camp congregations can be considered churches in the sense that they are a Christian community coming together to move more deeply into a Christian experience. The New Age camp congregations are indeed more of a Spiritual Center where people come together to socialize and to be around people of like minds. 

There might be a third camp arising within the Unity movement which could be called the “Unified Religious Sect”, which are those centers where several religions are taught and possibly practiced. This new movement is certainly more of a center, than a church, a center for education, enrichment and intellectual growth.

Now is a great time to decide which train we want to be the conductor for, and my guess is , most of us already have decided. If that is the case, let’s be clear with our intentions and not be swayed by what others are doing or saying. We are here to be of maximum service to our brothers and sisters,and we are  on our own “God endorsed” mission to lead others on their path toward spiritual freedom and unconditional love. In the meantime, let's enjoy the ride. You never know what lies ahead around the next bend, especially in a Unity Community. 

Realized Eschatology

Realized Eschatology:  Is it possibly possible?

How could the study of final things be realized? Most all Christian religious believers think that the end of all things is yet to occur. Almost daily, we see someone or some sect profess that the End is Near! This is a sufficient reason to repent of one’s sins and bring out the wailing walls. I don’t want to get caught with my pants down if the end is really near, do you? But then perhaps Jesus was telling us, albeit in a cryptic manner, the end has already come! The end of suffering, the end of hatred, the end of (wo) man hurting (wo) man, the end of looking to the future for salvation .The end of all matters of final importance has come, and now we see clearly that Jesus’ life and story was one of completion, not suspense.

Jesus said that he came so that we could experience life more abundantly, if we would follow his example. His life was a testament to living fully in the present moment. The birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus was a complete story, one that you and I will also experience, not someday, but now. We all are born to a virgin mother, one whose perfect expectations and dreams for her new baby boy or girl are unblemished. We all live our lives teaching and learning truth, whether we care to admit it or not. And then our bodies eventually , some sooner than later, die and we are buried in a cave of what we can’t see when we live. Death holds a mystery so powerful; few are willing to not be afraid as it approaches. But then, a resurrection occurs, not physically, but spiritually, we (or our souls) are brought back to earthly conditions, through the process of reincarnation. Not bodily reincarnation, but soul reincarnation, whereby our souls are brought to earth for a purpose. That purpose varies with each individual, and what “business” they need to finish. In the case of Jesus, his message was not finished, and so his soul body came back to finish it.

So the end, my friends, is near; in fact, it’s so near it is actually right now. I feel blessed to be aware of the Now, the present moment, and relish and hold dear the teachings of Jesus the Christ, our way shower and friend. He clearly lived in the awareness of the splendor and grace of the Father. His life was a complete demonstration of the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end of all life.