On Sunday, June 20, 2010, Rev. Patricia Reiter will lead a nationwide blessing service for the Gulf of Mexico to surround the water, people, plants and animals impacted by the oil spill in love and prayer. Reiter is encouraging people everywhere to participate from wherever they are at 3 p.m. Eastern time in order to convert frustration over the spill into a positive force for good. She is also encouraging her congregation and others to participate in 100 days of positive prayer for the Gulf.

Reiter's church, Unity of Venice is located in Venice, Fla., on the Gulf of Mexico. And while there isn't currently oil on the beaches in Venice, Reiter feels called to lead a blessing service for the entire Gulf.

“A church member, Nancy Hart, mentioned to me a couple of weeks ago that she thought we should do a blessing for the Gulf,” says Reiter. “The very next morning at 4 a.m., Spirit woke me with a clear message that I was to organize a big prayer event and involve as many ministries as possible.”

Reiter hopes the blessing service will help and support all those affected by the oil spill. She says, “These prayers are a way to channel positive energy into this environmental crisis. I was feeling such anger, frustration and sadness, as I know many others are. What we know and teach in Unity is that our thoughts, words and feelings are creative. Negative energies will only channel more negativity. I believe this prayer event will give everyone involved a chance to feel they are doing something positive to make a difference for the Gulf and all its inhabitants.”
 
The blessing service will include a prayer written by Dr. Masaru Emoto—an internationally renowned Japanese researcher and author. Emoto's research has visually captured the structure of water at the moment of freezing, and through high-speed photography has shown the direct consequences of destructive thoughts on water crystals and the positive effects of thoughts of love and appreciation on the formation of water crystals. His research indicates that our thoughts can influence water.

Reiter learned of Emoto's work through the popular documentary What the Bleep Do We Know? “I was very impressed that the energy of love was being used to clear polluted bodies of water,” she explains. “Of course, we know that the energy of love is the most powerful force on the planet for healing everything. When I went on his [Emoto's] website, I saw that he had already written a prayer for the Gulf. We will use his prayer, along with one I wrote, to be a positive force for healing.”

Reiter has asked her congregation, along with anyone else who is interested, to participate in 100 days of positive prayer for the Gulf using the prayers listed below. The 100 days of positive prayer will conclude on Unity's World Day of Prayer, September 9, 2010.

Other Unity ministers are encouraged to use these prayers with their congregations as well. More information can be found at www.veniceunity.com or by calling 941-484-5342.

100 Days of Positive Prayer by Rev. Patricia Reiter