What's special about our form of praying?
Affirmative Prayer, which we call Spiritual Mind Treatment, is a form of prayer used in the Religious Science or Science of Mind philosophy, a New Thought spiritual movement founded by Ernest Holmes in the early 20th century. Religious Science, also known as Science of Mind or Centers for Spiritual Living, is a modern metaphysical religious movement that emphasizes the power of the mind and the creative nature of thoughts in shaping one’s life experiences.
In Religious Science, Spiritual Mind Treatment is a specific form of Affirmative Prayer based on the principle that a creative power in the universe responds to our thoughts and beliefs. It is a process of consciously aligning one’s mind and consciousness with the spiritual truth of being and affirming positive and constructive beliefs to bring about desired changes in one’s life.
The process of Spiritual Mind Treatment involves five steps:
- Recognition: Acknowledging the presence of Divine Power or higher consciousness that is always available and responsive to our thoughts and beliefs.
- Unification: Recognizing that we are one with this Divine Power and share its qualities and attributes, such as love, wisdom, abundance, and wholeness.
- Realization: Formulating positive and uplifting statements that affirm the desired outcome or condition as if it has already manifested, using present tense language and avoiding negative or limiting words.
- Thanksgiving: Expressing gratitude for the blessings and good already existing in one’s life and the expected outcome of the spiritual mind treatment.
- Release: Letting go of any doubts, fears, or negative beliefs that may hinder the realization of the desired outcome and surrendering the treatment to the divine power for manifestation.
And so it is!
Affirmative Prayer is practiced by individuals or trained practitioners in Religious Science to transform consciousness, shift beliefs, and manifest positive changes in various areas of life, such as health, relationships, abundance, and guidance.