Watch or listen to interviews with Jefferson County WV Board of Education Candidates in the upcoming May 10, 2022 election, which is the only election for the Board of Education: https://www.visionroot.org/wv-elections-2022-jefferson-county-wv-board-of-education-and-statewide-primary-election-may-10-2022-candidate-interviews/.
Cheon Seong Gyeong 2217
What kind of time will that moment in the future be, the time all religions strive for, in which we can practice filial piety and loyalty? It is the time when all humankind can sing songs of happiness together, rejoicing for the first time over the beginning of hope; and take pride in the joy of God who has been guiding history. Surely religion arose solely for the purpose of ushering in that moment; pledging victory in order to manifest each of us as the center of all heaven and earth. (27-307, 1969.12.28)
Cheon Seong Gyeong 2096
I am very famous. Everyone acknowledges that I am a patriot living for the sake of the nation. Moreover, the whole world has honored my achievements. So if people come to say, “Since we have put True Parents’ picture up, my wife and I cannot quarrel in front of it,” and tell their children, “You should not do such things in front of Rev. Moon,” what is wrong with that? Because you are revering it more than the photograph of your own parents, your ancestors will come and also revere True Parents as their ancestors. It will become an altar where ancestors can come and hold a service for the household.
As a result, because the way to receive heavenly blessing has been opened up, then even after you fall asleep, at three o’clock in the morning, your ancestors will chase out all the evil spirits from around your home. (219-91, 1991.8.25)
World Scripture and the Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
Prayer and Worship
PRAYER LIES AT THE CORE OF THE RELIGIOUS LIFE in most religions. The passages collected here discuss the efficacy of prayer and give guidance on how to pray. Through prayer, we develop a relationship with God, exposing our inner life to Him and receiving His grace. In prayer we repent for our sins, ask God for help, and receive God’s guidance. We learn to trust in God to fulfill our prayers, and to follow His guidance for what we should do to progress in our life of faith. Conversely, God can begin to trust us as we declare our intention in prayer to do good, and then strive to fulfill it. Thus, prayer life can develop into a living relationship with God, as substantial as with a friend or indeed, with our own parents.
Prayer directs our heart to God and purifies it, providing a natural defense against temptations and the evil promptings of our fallen self. As we cultivate a taste for prayer, it nourishes our spirit and brightens our entire life. We receive divine energy in our conscience to do what is right, strength of character to endure hardships, and comfort in our heart as we seek to love. Some of these texts give instruction on how to pray. Prayer should be done constantly, sometimes with vigils far into the night. Prayer should be honest; it is quiet and sincere conversation from the heart. Prayer should be accompanied by deeds; the prayer of the hypocrite is without effect. Among the best prayers are those that put the welfare of others ahead of oneself and, as Father Moon teaches, prayers to comfort God’s heart. Some representative prayers can be found in the Invocation which opens this anthology.
- God Answers Prayer
Your Lord says, “Call on Me; I will answer your prayer.”
Qur’an 40.60
The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.
Psalm 145.18
When My servants ask you concerning Me, I am indeed Close to them. I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me.
Qur’an 2.186
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you.
Psalm 55.22
Lord of creation! No one other than Thee pervades all these that have come into being. May that be ours for which our prayers rise, may we be masters of many treasures!
Rig Veda 10.121.10 (Hinduism)
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Mark 11.24
Is any one among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith 796 World Scripture and the Teachings of Sun Myung Moon will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. Elijah was a man of like nature with ourselves and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again and heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit.
James 5.13-18
You must always pray unto the Father in my name; and whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing you shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you. Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed.
Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 18.19-21 (Latter-day Saints)