United Prayers Across America
A National Prayer Project to Awaken the Sleeping Giant

Conference Call #25

Drawing Near to God

Anne Edwards

June 5, 2006

Good evening everyone. I’m glad to have another opportunity to share with you some thoughts on our National Prayer to Awaken the Sleeping Giant. I am benefiting from each talk and each prayer that I pray—so my gratitude to Philip and to all of you is growing.

The quote I selected for tonight is from Genesis, Chapter 18, Verse 22, describing the familiar conversation between Abraham and God about the fate of the city of Sodom. Abraham has just learned that God is preparing to destroy the city:

Then Abraham drew near and said, "Wilt Thou indeed destroy the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; wilt thou then destroy the city and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from thee to do such a thing—to slay the righteous with the wicked! Shall not the judge of all the Earth do right?

We know from Genesis that Abraham negotiates until the Lord agrees to spare the city for the sake of fifty righteous people, then for forty-five, then for twenty, and finally for the sake of ten. Abraham advocated for the city as a son would advocate before a father. As Genesis tells us, Abraham drew near before he began speaking to God.

As I have prayed to protect America and surround our nation and world with light and love, like Abraham, I have drawn near to God. It is an intimate thing to ask God to make me a channel for God’s own universal, eternal, spiritual white light and countless drops of unconditional love. I have asked, "How can I presume to ask for this? How can I even bear it?" The answer comes, again and again, that the light and love I have asked God to send through me are already within me. God’s love and light are already there; not because of my merit, but because God’s creation, which includes me, is made out of love.

Our prayer experience since December 2005 has attuned me regularly to the reality that God is here, within you and within me. God’s love is also within America, the world, and the Planet Earth. I believe that our prayers influence the energy of the universe and that they are protective and elevating for our nation and for humankind. I also believe that God can use our prayers to alter the course of events in a way that is for our highest good. We know that we cannot control outcomes, or even understand them; but from a spiritual point of view, all is surrounded by God’s compassionate love. Even if events in the world or in our lives appear to be negative or perilous, all will ultimately be healed in God’s embrace.

As the future unfolds, we can continue to develop our faith in the healing of harms, and we can practice love. We can rest assured that, through our prayers, we are helping God and beings of light to help the world. We are receiving and sharing healing love for ourselves, humanity and all living things.

Even when we are not praying or meditating, we can practice stillness. Stillness, or mindfulness, is not an automatic state for me; yet whenever I practice stillness, the experience refreshes me on my spiritual path. If I am observant, I can practice stillness whether I am washing dishes, talking with a friend, attending a group meeting, meditating, or preparing for this evening. When I am still, I can be more present, and more accepting of myself and others as we are.

It takes only seconds to remind myself to relax, to stop competing, to stop struggling for acceptance or approval; and to just be. When I remember to do this, I tap into the exquisite love and peace that are always within me and in all of us. As we all do this, in prayer and in the ordinary events of life, God’s love will direct our paths and show us what to do each day, and even each moment. As we share our prayers and increase our loving thoughts of ourselves, others, and the world, God’s love will lead each of us and our planet into greater wholeness and spiritual health.

Because of God’s love, no matter what happens in the external environment, we can be spiritually secure as we continue to pray for our country and world. We can be the ten righteous people for whose sake God can save the world, even if what that means is beyond our understanding. We can be the ten righteous people, not because of our individual merit, but because of our individual acceptance, humility and forgiveness. These are the keys that will open the door to the place in our hearts where God ever dwells. We open this door when we pray alone or together. We open this door when we live mindfully. We open this door when we forgive ourselves and others. We open this door when we do what Abraham did 4,000 years ago—when we draw near to God, just as we are.

Through this open door, God’s love flows freely from our hearts to one another, our nation, and our world. In this new universe there is a powerful light, and the Sleeping Giant awakes!

Anne has a master’s degree in social work and has worked as a high school English teacher, a licensed clinical social worker, and an adjunct faculty member at the Virginia Commonwealth University Graduate School of Social Work. Anne retired in 2005 after 22 years as director of the Area Agency on Aging in Loudoun County, Virginia. During her career in aging, Anne served as an advocate for residents of long term care facilities and helped to develop senior centers, adult day care centers, home delivered meals, transportation services, and referral services for older adults and their families.

Anne was raised as a mainstream Christian and continued her spiritual search through Eastern religions and organized efforts to re-connect humanity with God. For the last two decades, she has searched through meditation, journalling, reading, and discussions with other seekers. She has received great assistance from spiritual guides and teachers through Philip Burley’s mediumship and her own increasing sensitivity.

After raising two sons in Virginia, Anne and her husband George are pleased to make their home in Surprise, Arizona, where they enjoy walking, traveling, and gathering with friends.