Americans: A praying nation
Popular author to conduct Prayer Seminar this weekend

According to a recent US News and World Report poll, 62 percent of Americans say that, personally for them, religion has been increasing its influence in their lives. Seventy six percent believe that God is a heavenly Father who can be reached by prayers. Seventy-seven percent say that God has, at some time, guided them in making decisions in their lives. A recent Gallup survey found 90 percent of Americans pray - 75 percent every day - and a majority say that they pray more than they did a few years ago.

Spirituality, prayer in particular, has taken center stage in our public discourse. Major news magazines, national talk shows and television news broadcast have begun covering news dealing with the soul. Scientifically sound research has probed the effects of prayer on physical healing. It is no longer possible to ignore the place of prayer and spirituality in the lives of human beings in today's world.

According to author Jennifer Kennedy Dean, such a phenomenon is inescapable.

"Human beings were created to be primarily spiritual beings," said Dean. "Our bodies are only the physical packaging. Our intellects and our emotions are the conduits through which our spiritual natures are to be expressed."

Dean said that in denying spirituality as the cornerstone of beings, society has become disillusioned, cynical and emotionally worn out.

"Prayer is how the spirit breathes," Dean said. "When a person begins to interact with the Creator by living prayer, that person has all of his or her spirit cells energized, cleansed and nourished. The vitality that God intends for us is restored."

Dean asserts that the full benefit of prayer will be realized by simply saying prayers. She said that a person need not settle for "having a prayer life," but instead, can learn to "live a praying life." The difference, according to Dean is between thinking of prayer as an activity and thinking of prayer as a relationship.

"Prayer is God's idea," she said. "He initiates prayer. Prayer is what God gives us to live a life of continual interaction with Him. Prayer links spiritual power and spiritual resources to the needs and circumstances of our lives."

Dean will be conducting a Prayer Seminar, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 16 and 17, and preaching on Sunday, Feb. 18 at the First United Methodist Church of Chandler. For more information or to register for the conference call the First UMC Chandler at 903- 849-6839.

Dean is the author of numerous books and magazine articles on prayer. She is a popular speaker and conference leader on the topic of prayer and serves as executive director of The Praying Life Foundation, based in Blue Springs, Missouri.