Opening Prayer - 17Aug2025 - Martine Evans

At the Centers for Spiritual Living, we practice five-step affirmative prayer.

In the first step, I recognize that God is all there is.  The tapestry, the warp, the weft, the joy, the pain, the laughter, and the tears, the connections, the pulling apart. It's all God.

In the second step, I unify with that God. I am a piece of that spiritual presence, that tapestry. that out-picturing of God here on the human plane, and just as I am, so everyone within the sound of my voice at any time is also. We are a unified whole, pieces, expressions of spirit.

In the third step, I realize the truth. I realize the truth that we here today are here on purpose, that we are open to the message, the music, to whatever comes to us and whatever is ours to offer and share. And so I know we are fully present in this moment for this moment.

In the fourth step, I recognize and think thankfulness, thankfulness, gratitude and appreciation for this moment, this community, this teaching. for who we are and where we are in this moment, even in the moments that seem difficult. I am grateful.

In the fifth and final step, I release this knowledge that all is well, and we are here on purpose, knowing that it is already done, and it is good and very good.

And together, we seal this by saying, And So It Is.