Circle of Atonement
Prayer
Ministry
"Prayer is the greatest gift with which God blessed His Son at his creation."
-- The Song of Prayer
Foundation
Prayer in A Course in Miracles
Prayer is not a minor theme in A Course in Miracles -- it appears nearly 200 times, and an entire supplement, The Song of Prayer, is devoted to it. The Course makes clear that our prayers are always heard: sixteen times it affirms that God hears every call we make to Him. What the Course asks us to reconsider is not whether to pray, but what to pray for. Conventional prayer tends to ask for help with physical circumstances -- health, money, safety, love. The Course gently redirects us: rather than praying for the outer journey, we are invited to pray for the inner one. Forgiveness, guidance, the experience of God's love, the ability to see truly -- these are the gifts the Course's own prayers ask for.
I come to hear Your Voice
in silence and in certainty and love,
sure You will hear my call and answer me.
-- A Course in Miracles, Workbook Lesson 221
Our Ministry
Our Prayer Ministry
The Circle Prayer Ministry is inspired by the ancient priestess described in Course scribe Helen Schucman's vision: a woman who devoted her life entirely to praying for those who came to her, never asking for names or details, praying for everyone in exactly the same way, with complete certainty that help would be given. It is the same spirit that A Course in Miracles and its supplement The Song of Prayer point us toward: praying for the healing of the mind, extending forgiveness, and trusting completely that every prayer reaches its destination and is answered.
Today our Prayer Ministry carries this same spirit into the world every day. We receive thousands of prayer requests annually, and we are pleased to have more than 30 dedicated team members who pray daily for each one we receive.
Our Approach
How We Pray for You
Our prayer practice is grounded in the distinctive teachings of A Course in Miracles. Here is what you can trust when you submit a request.
In the Course's teaching, all healing is of the mind, and that is where our prayer is directed.
Like the ancient priestess who "never even thought of checking the outcome, because there was no doubt," we pray with full certainty that every prayer is heard and every person reached by God's love.
We pray by extending what the Course calls "true perception" -- seeing you as you really are, healed, holy, whole and deserving of everything. We pray by lifting any projection of limitation from your true identity.
Our prayer is "impersonal" in the deepest and most beautiful sense: even though we pray for you specifically, we understand the light in you is universal. In praying for you, we are praying for everyone.
We pray that the light in you unite with the song of God's love, and that specific answers flow to you from there -- as echoes of His love -- in whatever form is most helpful to you.
Getting Started
Common Questions
Do I need to share details about my situation?
You are welcome to share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. Our prayer team does not require the specifics of your situation -- in the spirit of the ancient priestess, we pray for everyone in the same way, trusting completely in God's knowledge of what each person truly needs.
How long will you pray for my request?
Every request is held in daily prayer for at least 4 weeks by our prayer team members.
Can I submit a request on behalf of someone else?
Absolutely. In guidance leading up to the scribing of The Song of Prayer, Jesus affirms that "you can ask for another and receive the Answer for him." Praying for others is one of the most beautiful forms of this ministry -- it heals both the giver and the receiver.
Is there a charge to submit a prayer request?
There is no charge. Prayer is a gift freely offered, as it was always meant to be. If you feel moved to support our ministry so we can continue this work, we are grateful -- but it is never required. You can donate at circleofa.org/donate.
How can I join the Prayer Ministry?
Anyone with a sincere, established prayer practice rooted in A Course in Miracles is warmly welcome to join our team. Our ministry members pray daily and are committed to the Course-based approach to prayer described on this page. If you feel called to serve in this way, we would love to hear from you at circleofa.org/volunteer.
Submit a Request
Let Us Pray
for You
Whatever you are carrying -- for yourself or for someone you love -- our team is here to hold it in prayer. You do not have to face it alone.
Go Deeper
Prayer Resources
These free resources will deepen your understanding and practice of prayer as taught in A Course in Miracles.