Rev. Robin Volker

Each year, Unity in Community participates in Unity World Day of Prayer. We begin at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday and pray until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. This year's dates are September 8th and 9th. Here are some comments from those who attended last year.

"In this moment, there is nowhere else I'd rather be than right here. There is no other job more important than being present to this prayer energy. What a privilege! What an honor! Use me, dear God! I am so blessed."

"How wonderful to be so intentional with meditation and prayer! How wonderful to be here in this body, yet at the same time to be able to access the divinity and unity that I really am. As I sit, I open myself in new ways. I think of the many ways I can be of service in this world. I reflect on the many blessings that have come into my life through Unity. Love, love, and more love is my prayer."

"Spirit fills me with love and light…. I remember. I believe. I know. I honor the light of God that is me. I come home to my essence, and it carries me from this moment forward. No longer do I walk alone in darkness. I am filled with the Christ Light of wisdom."

"I am one with all that is in this place right now. I am connected to the Universe through prayer. I am a prayer. My prayer is unconditional, offered freely, and lovingly to all. My prayer is pure love, pure light – falling on every atom on this planet and out into space. The most freeing element in my life is unconditional love – sent out and sent in. I have a multitude of life blessings to guide my steps and thoughts. Through unconditional love, I am free, whole, Christ-centered, and fully alive. Thank you, God."

"Life's path doesn't always seem clear to me, but being here for this special event makes some of the clouds and mist of life blow away. Being centered in prayer was a gift I gave to me, but I realize now it really is gift to those around me as well. After walking the Labyrinth, I realized, discovered, remembered – that happiness and peace are only choices I can make for myself. No matter how I try or what I do for another, I cannot be tied to their reactions to my actions because only they can choose their happiness, peace, or harmony."

"Last year, I walked the labyrinth for forgiveness. I thought I was finished with that, but there it was – still calling to me. This year, I stood at the beginning of the path wondering what it held for me. Then the hymn from Sunday began to circle in my consciousness, "Open My Eyes." There it was, "illumination in all ways." As I paused on the corners of the cloth to remind myself of openness, so many revelations flashed through me…I will keep focused on discernment and truly intend to do what's mine to do. I will be patient (as my angel card suggested) and keep heading to the light. Yes, Illumination is a beautiful word."

" I pray along with all the others around the world that we can put aside our differences and focus on our similarities. I pray that no matter our religious beliefs that we can co-exist in peace and harmony. I pray that all prejudice and judgmental thinking will be blown away on the wind. I know and affirm we can make this world an amazing place, one day at a time, one breath at a time, one hug at a time, one laugh at a time."

"I am grateful for World Day of Prayer. It is a time of quiet, a time for God, a time for the world. We are joining together through prayer and meditation, making the world a more peace-filled, light-filled, and love-filled place. This is a respite in my hectic day. This is a time for me and my God! What a joy! What a blessing! I get emotional because I have stuffed my feelings, saving them for this day, for here I know I am safe to let them out. Here in this place, I don't have to be anyone but myself. That is so refreshing."

" I entered the labyrinth, I plunged forward as if I was on an on-ramp to an interstate. I continuously had to "make" myself to slow down my steps. Gradually, I slowed down, concentrating on each step…When I reached the prayer center, I sat cross-legged. At first, it was difficult to let go and be still. I pictured myself at the cliff's edge with the faith to step off and soar, but I just couldn't. My hands were resting on each leg, palms upward. Suddenly I felt my father's big, rough, calloused hand grasp my right hand. (My father recently made his transition.) Then, my mother's soft, cool, elegant hand took hold of my left hand. (My mother died seven years ago.) I thought, 'Wow! This is so nice to be together again.' And then, effortlessly they lifted me upwards, and we were all three gliding. Then they drifted out of sight, but I could still feel their presence and rewarding peace as I sat in prayer."

" I am not a prayerful person usually, but these hours of quiet contemplation have been a blessing and enlightenment. I am thankful for this opportunity to become closer to God and to feel my place in the Universe - one with all God's creation."

"I was here at the beginning, and then I came back in the night. Now I am back again. Each time, the experience is uniquely different. Each brought its own special blessing to my life. Each time has made beautiful memories for me to keep. Now, I am near the end of this wonderful time. My labyrinth walk this afternoon allowed me to center and calm my mind. Our Reaching Out picture has been filled with words of inspiration and love. I feel so blessed to be a part of this experience called Unity. As I prepare to leave, I want to remember how to come back to center. I want to be able to continue to look at each new experience through the eyes of love and to honor our divine connection in thought, word, and deed – now and always."