At Unity, a day dedicated to prayer

We have a day dedicated to St. Patrick, to good ole St. Nick, even a day for administrative assistants, and the one I saw most recently was a day for redheads. There are still a lot of "untaken" days in the year; Unity has chosen Thursday, Sept. 14, as World Day of Prayer, with 24 hours devoted to the sacredness of prayer. Not just for redheads or admins, but for all faiths; this is a day to honor your prayers, to honor you, and the personal and detailed intentions that are woven into your heart.

The theme of this beautiful day is "Peace in the Midst," with many interactive, sacred activities both at Unity headquarters in Missouri, and here at Unity Spiritual Center in Westlake. There are many activities and paths to choose from, all created to strengthen your spirit, and connect you to the Divine.

It all starts on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. with live-streamed power-packed prayer and music, followed at 8 p.m. with the opening service and keynote address, all from Unity Village in Missouri. You can light a virtual candle and add your prayers to a prayer list online at unity.org. 

A 24-hour prayer vigil at Unity of Westlake begins at 9 p.m. It will be filled with prayer, various types of meditation, drumming, music and labyrinth walks. There will be meditation with mantra and mudras, sacred meditation art and crystal bowl meditation. Prayers can be moved and danced to, or whispered in the silence. There will be prayer stations, prayer ribbons, a prayer tree, prayer lists, prayers of gratitude, and interfaith prayers. There will be a a table dedicated to children, and a piece of paper waiting for your peaceful touch to fold it into an origami peace crane. Rotate around the eight prayer stations, and enjoy the activity offered at each. Each hour the Daily Word will be read, and powerful peace affirmations said. A specific schedule of activities will be available.  All ages are invited and all activities are free. The doors are open and welcoming, come for 10 minutes, a few hours or more; what you take away will be great indeed. Unity Spiritual Center is located at 23855 Detroit Road, 440-835-0400.