| Prayer can be a powerful tool for stress relief. Read | | | | life-affirming. No matter which religious background, if |
| on to find out more about how prayer works to give | | | | any, you come from, you will likely get some peace of |
| strength and hope in the darkest of times. Whatever | | | | mind from prayer. |
| your belief system may be - if you believe in God or a | | | | In terms of how to pray: "Please help!" is always |
| Higher Power of any name, praying will help. Here is | | | | appropriate. Of course, "Please help me out by bringing |
| the phone number of a prayer hotline that I highly | | | | that $10,000 I need to pay my Amex bill right now!" |
| recommend (Unity): 1-800-NOW-PRAY. | | | | may not be the best approach, especially if you don't |
| It's free, the people who will pray with you are | | | | believe it's actually possible. However, "Please give me |
| wonderfully calming and reassuring, and they'll even | | | | guidance on what to do at each step of the journey, |
| send you an encouraging letter afterwards. Meanwhile, | | | | and please give me the strength to handle whatever |
| your name will be held in prayer for 30 days after your | | | | comes my way, and the faith and trust that everything |
| call. You're not alone. | | | | will turn out for the best" may help a lot. |
| Another wonderful Prayer Line is staffed by Science | | | | Even more importantly: Give thanks for the blessings |
| of Mind practitioners. It too is free, and you can call | | | | already received and for those you anticipate. Pray as |
| them around the clock at 1-800-421-9600. Of course, | | | | if you had already received them, as if you knew that |
| you can also pray by yourself. In fact, that's a very | | | | the best outcome for all concerned (including you) |
| good idea. Here are my two favorite books that have | | | | were just around the corner and had already been |
| helped me learn how to pray more effectively: | | | | provided: "Thank you for your divine guidance, and for |
| Adventures in Prayer - Sharon Connors | | | | keeping me safe." |
| Handle with Prayer - Alan Cohen | | | | Feel free to pray to your guardian angel as well |
| Both of them have their spiritual roots in Unity, which | | | | (provided that it fits with your faith). Or to other deities. |
| isn't exactly a religion but more of a non-denominational | | | | It all depends on your beliefs. Ganesh, a Hindu deity, |
| spiritual movement of seekers, with strong emphasis | | | | known as the destroyer of obstacles, for example, is |
| on inclusiveness, and very compatible with The Secret | | | | very popular for obvious reasons. |
| and Abraham-Hicks teachings. I find it very | | | | |