How do we find power? That is a great question. Like many of you who have written in, I too feel a sense of powerless in these unprecedented times. It’s scary to feel powerless. Ultimately, lack of power is our problem, so we have to find a power greater than we, that we can tap into. So, how do we find that power?
Back in college, I read Dr. Jonathan Swift’s essay, “A Modest Proposal” about a radical way to end hunger in Ireland. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1080/1080-h/1080-h.htm
Swift figured out a way to get Ireland’s attention by suggesting something so ironic and so profound – that Ireland end hunger by eating the offspring of the poor. It was quite radical and satirical, but it shined light on a huge problem plaguing Ireland at the time.
We too are facing a huge world-wide problem. Here is spiritual direction – an action we can take for those who desire to act in some way.
What if we collectively got together and prayed a prayer for the world?
Our prayers wouldn’t have to take long. What if we took 5-10 minutes to sit in silence and send out a prayer to benefit humanity? It doesn’t seem like much, but it can have huge impact on the larger world.
The tool of prayer during times of crisis has been used by the major world religions for millenia.
One of my influences, Norman Vincent Peale, wrote the book “The Power Of Positive Thinking.” In it, he writes “prayer is a sending out of vibrations from one person to another and to God. All of the universe is in vibration…When you send out a prayer for another person, you employ the force inherent in a spiritual universe. You transport from yourself to the other person a sense of love, helpfulness, support—a sympathetic, powerful understanding—and in this process you awaken vibrations in the universe…”
- Christians have long used prayer as a tool for great healing.
- Muslims use Ruqya for spiritual healing.
- In Judaism, the Mishnah tells how the Jewish community might end a drought, famine or plague.
- The Quakers use prayer and silence during their worship services.
- The Baha’i community uses prayer and meditation to rise to their highest potential.
- Hindu’s have chanted the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra to bring peace and healing to the world.
Here is a prayer I suggest about how I pray for God’s will to manifest in my life. http://rabbicosnowsky.com/a-surprising-prayer-for-gods-will-to-be-done-not-mine/
Even Agnostics and Atheists can join in prayer. We are not asking a Deity to do our bidding or compelling God to end this virus.
Instead, we can ask for the power to have strength, courage and renewed vigor to help others. We can ask for our fear to be lessened so we can be of greater use to one another. COVID-19 has no regard for a person’s religion, age, race, political affiliation or bank account. Our humanity has become leveled to the point where we are all equally vulnerable. Our ability to survive will depend on our ability to support one another through this time.
I propose we take 5 minutes to pray for the world’s humanity. Won’t you join me this Thursday, March 19th at 12:00EST?
Let me know in the comments section if you’d like to join me. It’s a small step, but it can have huge impact for healing, grace and wholeness for all of humanity.
