Right now, you can help! Here's how thousands are LIFTING CITIES in Prayer

Yes, your prayer can help—wherever you live around the world!
    Together, we can lift the spirits of our cities and energize people to revive our communities. (Here is one city's model you could follow.)

IN DETROIT 2009:

WHEN TO START: Anytime! But Sunday August 23 is the starting point for thousands of people—giving us three full weeks of daily prayer before we gather.

WHEN TO GATHER: Come to Detroit at 11 a.m. Saturday Sept. 12 for a rally. Bring your prayers to write in blank books we'll provide. These prayer books will circulate through congregations across Michigan to encourage more prayer, creativity and volunteerism focused on our state's hub city.

WHERE: We're gathering in a large open area outside Metropolitan Church, 8000 Woodward Avenue just north of the New Center area. This is a diverse religious effort, open to people of all spiritual affiliations. Our co-chairs this year are the Rev. Kenneth Flowers, pastor of Greater New Mount Moriah Baptist Church, and the Rev. Tonya Arnesen, pastor of Metropolitan, a United Methodist church. Both are committed to building religiously diverse communities.

WHAT TO SAY: Pray in your own tradition. To keep this very simple, the core prayer can be just 5 words: "I Lift Detroit in Prayer." BUT, we encourage people to adapt that prayer. Focus on your own big city or core community—wherever you live. During the three weeks of prayer, expand on the 5 words to form a prayer all your own. We encourage people to reflect spiritually on your role in building a healthier community.

WHAT IF I DON'T LIVE IN MICHIGAN? This is a creative model that people are adapting in their own communities. The spiritual key is: Rather than waiting for leaders to inspire us—these weeks of prayer empower us to become, as Gandhi put it, the answer to our own prayers.

WHAT IF I CAN'T COME TO THE RALLY? Make an effort! Last year, 1,000 people gathered along the Detroit River. This good-news story was so powerful that it wound up on the front page of the statewide Detroit Free Press. But, if you can't make it, pray along with us wherever you are. Send your prayer to the rally with a friend. Ask your congregation to "host" a prayer book after the event.

HOSTING A PRAYER BOOK: After the rally, we want congregations to display a prayer book and encourage further prayers. Please inquire early if you'd like to host a book.

CAN MY GROUP OR CONGREGATION PARTICIPATE? Sure! We welcome that! Unlike other religious events, this is all about grassroots prayer by individuals and groups of friends. You can ask your local prayer or study group to pray along. You can ask your civic group, as well, to focus in a general spiritual way. Come as a group to the rally. It'll be fun and lift your spirits! Host a prayer book afterward.

QUESTIONS: Email us at readthespirit@gmail.com

WHAT HAPPENED in 2008?

    By fall 2008, people were praying across North America. They were praying in Canada—in Calgary, Alberta—all the way down to the tip of the American South in the Florida Keys.
    Some people adapted the idea to focus on "communities" other than cities: Union College in Kentucky hosted a campus-wide prayer campaign for the betterment of students and faculty. And, folks living in Alabama's Wiregrass region lifted their grassland community in prayer.
    Here's a link to the high-spirited story we published after the big rally in Detroit last year. It may inspire you to take part this year.

    STAY TUNED TO THIS RESOURCE PAGE FOR UPDATES. We will add information to this site throughout the summer.

    We always invite you to TELL US WHAT YOU THINK. Tell us especially if you plan to participate where you live! We want to share these good-news stories. Email ReadTheSpirit Editor David Crumm—or, we're also reachable on Facebook, Twitter, Amazon and other social-networking sites. Search for "David Crumm" on those sites and you should find us.

Comments

[Rev. Marylou Palmer]

Here in Key West our economy is very much linked with the tourist dollars available else where in the country. So our Unity congregation is linking up with others to demonstrate our faith in the power of prayer!

Celebrating God's Abundant Blessings for all!

[Esteb]

I hope that folks participating in this will devote themselves as strongly through their actions. To help a struggling economy, invest your money locally, like purchasing local fruits or vegetables, or frequenting local independent cafe's. Buy your clothing from local retailers. Dine at local restaurants. If you live in the suburbs, support urban planning policies that promote a more socially collective responsibility for Detroit and the metro area instead of putting more taxes on the backs of Detroiters who live in the city proper. (Folks who live in the burbs have access to Detroit's wonderful sights and museums, but don't pay as much for them as residents living in the city proper.) If this prayer movement helps stir you to practical actions in helping Detroit's economy, great. But don't let your only form of support come from just words."

[David Gifford]

I am from the Detroit area and first heard of Unity through broadcasts on channel 56. I now live in Oakland, CA and am part of the Unity of Berkeley community.

I can think of no better place for the idea of oneness to blossom than in Detroit. As we try to practice practical spirituality in Unity, Detroit has been the center of practical cooperation. It's motor city name was derived as a result of an industry that thrived from workers cooperating (assembly line). It's sports teams thrive from teamwork and the rich musical heritage is based on artists joining in "the groove."

Detroit is a natural birthplace for the new economy for Tolle's new earth.

[Steve Kaszczuk]

From your neighbor just North of you in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I send you my best wishes and pray that the God of your understanding bless your People, your your City, your County and restore you to the Great Nation that you are.

God Bless America !

[soulfulady]

A prayer for Detroit... "Is there any Remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are His servants and all abide by His bidding." (from the prayers of the Baha'i Faith)

[Sandra K.]

I AM sending love and light to illuminate the joyful prayer that God IS lifting up the economy of Detroit and all the people of Michigan.

Be well and always be good to YOU!

[Sharon Mason]

I support Greg Barrette and Unity with all my heart. Let's not loook back on what was but move forward in Christ. I live in Sterling Heights, Michigan