How to Start a Prayer Circle

Blessed are They who work for Peace.
They light the beacons in the darkness.
They open the oasis in the desert.
They are the backbone of modern civilization.

The Master Jesus, The First Blessing

Become a Worker for peace and send healing to the world

This guide was developed to assist those individuals who wish to come together in a group, with the common goal of helping their suffering brothers and sisters in this world. This guide will cover some of the basic elements to help you conduct a powerful Twelve Blessings Service. We hope that this simple guide will assist in enhancing your efforts and serve as a vital stepping-stone to help inspire and raise the vibrations of our world, and lead you and your group to greater SPIRITUAL ACTION!

All you need is an effective prayer technique, a set of balanced prayers, and a group of people with the desire to help others.

A prayer circle can use any set of prayers for world peace, however The Twelve Blessings prayers – given by the Master Jesus are the best we have found and recommend them highly.

How do I effectively send healing to the world?

Start a prayer circle. This may seem like a daunting task. It is uncommon for people to speak about spiritual matters in this materialistic society in which we live. However, many people feel like you do and are desperate to break out of the limitations of materialism.

Included in this guide are many aids to help you put together a dynamic and powerful prayer circle. We encourage you to make the effort to do so - the rewards will be greater than you can even dream possible - both for you, your group members and the whole world!

Start with those you know. You may have friends or neighbors who may be interested in joining you. Perhaps you would like to get together and talk about praying for world peace and healing. It does not matter what religious beliefs they hold. Say to them that all people can and should pray for others. Don't wait until a personal catastrophe takes place, which is often when people turn to prayer for guidance. One individual can send out tremendous power in service to the world. This power is increased exponentially when a group of individuals come together for the same purpose. Joining a group can be an effective way of dissolving frustration and helplessness built up in our pressurized lives. A prayer group can bring in a shared peace and joy to all those who participate.
There are many circles praying for others around this planet. Here are testimonials from three experienced prayer circle participants:

"We are as stunned today as we were ten years ago when we learned that three or four people praying those 12 prayers and then asking for absent healing could initiate so many miracles. It has illumined all of us, including the house, and in ways we are just beginning to understand."
- Mrs Ellis-Simpson, Claremont, California

"The power of The Twelve Blessings is undeniable. I have been practicing The Twelve Blessings individually and in groups for years now and I have not come across anything as potent. The Twelve Blessings is a significant means of sending light unto the world. Truly can The Twelve Blessings, as a prayer practice, invoke a real energy, which can, with regular use, be physically felt."
- Mr. M. Tassi, Los Angeles, California

"As every athlete understands, their physical skills are most effective playing on a team, so the spiritual workers and workers for light must understand that in spirituality too, teamwork will produce an exponential force. The Twelve Blessings, effective on their own but 'electric' when performed by a group!"
- Ms. Du Planty, Roberts Creek, British Colombia

How can I be sure that practice of The Twelve Blessings helps the world?

You must have faith in the Power of God to flow through you, and listen to your own inner feelings and intuition. Be open-minded and open to the experience of The Twelve Blessings. You can read the words of one of The Twelve Blessings or listen to an actual transmission delivered by the Master Jesus via cassette tape or CD. Then practice these beautiful Blessings and prayers and allow the vibrations to fill and uplift you.

A Twelve Blessings Service can consist of several key elements: prayer, visualization, mantra and absent healing. These elements are explained on a separate page.

How to Prepare and Run a Twelve Blessings Service

Preparation of room (altar, room layout, lighting, etc.)

It is preferable to set aside a room or area of the home, devoted solely to your prayers and other spiritual practices. However, if you do not have such a room you can still hold wonderful services by preparing your room in advance so that the vibrations are conducive to your Twelve Blessings Services.

Some helpful ways of preparing the room 15 to 30 minutes before starting:

• Dim the lighting.
• Use a green light bulb which help calm the vibrations of the room.
• Fill the room with a light fragrance (for example, light an incense stick or essential oil burner). Please note: be sure to check if anyone in the group is allergic to such scent before it is used. Also be sure to extinguish any flame if left unattended.
• Play some calming music in the background.
• Set up a simple altar if you do not have one. Place a candle on the center of a table (or altar), together with a bowl of water and perhaps an item of spiritual significance to all members of your group, for example, a holy cross. *

* You may wish to purchase a simple (yet powerful) Holy Cross from The Aetherius Society.

Welcoming group members

Ask people to arrive at least 15 minutes before your Twelve Blessings Service is due to begin to avoid any unnecessary disruption, if at all possible.

If you are holding Services in your own home you may wish to establish some ground rules for group members so that your privacy is respected. (For example, participants may be asked to remove shoes and bring slippers).

Conducting the Twelve Blessings Service Itself

A Twelve Blessings Service can be 15 minutes – 60 minutes long (time permitting). We suggest you hold services at least once a week, if possible. When a Group is in its early stages and the meetings are held occasionally, the Services should be kept simple at first and can be expanded later as your group becomes established.

1. Preparation
Everyone should sit quietly (preferably facing the East; aligning with the natural flow of prana, or North aligning with the magnetic lines of force), for approximately 5 to 10 minutes before the start of the Service. Eyes must be closed, to help one focus, and the palms of the hands should face downwards on the knees. This allows the energy to build up within the body. Allow the thoughts and troubles of the day to flow away. Deep, but gentle breathing will relax the body and help focus the mind on the activity to come.

2. Opening practice (visualization)
As the group leader you will quietly guide the group members through these visualization practices. Here is a suggested script:

“With hands remaining on the knees with palms facing downwards, let us, with our eyes closed, relax by breathing deeply and gently for a few moments. Visualize a Violet Flame coming up from the Divine Mother Earth beneath your feet flowing gently upwards through the whole of your body and aura. Visualize this power flowing as far above your head as you can visualize.

“Now, visualize a brilliant white light coming down from above you into the brain. Try to feel every molecule of your brain vibrate with this power. Think this white light down through the neck, through the shoulders, into the Heart Center, which is situated a few inches in front of the breastbone. Feel this white light flowing out through the palms of our hands and heart centers as we raise our hands for The Service of The Twelve Blessings.”

3. Simple opening prayer (with hands raised in prayer)
“Oh Divine Creator of all this Wonder,
Shed Thy Mighty Beams upon us now,
So that we might be better equipped
To devote ourselves in lasting service – to all.”
(Source: Book of Sacred Prayers )

4. Invocation of power using each Blessing heading and prayer
Read aloud each of the Twelve Blessings using the “Blessing” heading (as shown in upper case letters) and the “prayer” at the end.
For example, (say out loud) “BLESSED ARE THEY WHO WORK FOR PEACE”, pause for 30 seconds to a minute whilst visualizing the white light flowing out to the focal point of the Blessing, then say the prayer out loud with the group, “Oh Mighty Father of All Creation . . .” etc. If there is not a prayer at the end of that Blessing then you can finish that Blessing by saying, “So endeth the second blessing” (or whichever Blessing it may be).

All attendees should join in out loud with the headings and prayers if possible.

Each of the headings and prayers of the Blessings must be read. In addition you have the option to read all or parts of the Blessing text located between the Blessing heading – such as “Blessed are They Who Work for Peace” and the prayer “Oh Mighty Father of all Creation”.

Reading the text of the Twelfth Blessing in full is commonly practiced, and preferable.

Important Note: Prayers are a song of the soul – the more beautiful and heartfelt they are expressed, the more inspiring and uplifting your Service will be for you – as well as – for the recipients of your prayer energy!

5. Readings from other spiritual texts (optional)

6. Absent Healing - Reading names of those who are in need of healing (optional)

7. Simple closing prayer
Prayer of thankfulness for the spiritual energy and for being allowed to be used as a channel for peace and healing.
“Oh Mighty God,
We thank You from our hearts
For allowing us the privilege to be used as channels for your Light.”

8. Practice of the Presence to close
“Visualize the brilliant white light flowing into your head, along the neck, through the shoulders and into the Heart Center. Now, once again visualize a gentle Violet Flame flowing upwards through the feet but this time up towards the Heart Center.

“Then visualize above the head a golden sphere which represents the divine spark of God within all of us. Imagine it as a miniature sun above your head, shining brightly. Take the two forces, the white light and violet flame, up through your shoulders, neck and head into the golden sphere.

“Request in silence from this golden sphere a golden light of spirituality to pour down, like gentle rain from heaven, into your body and aura. See yourself bathed with this golden light.”

9. End of Ritual
Pause.
Finish by saying “Oh Mighty God, Thy Will be done!” Detach and quietly leave the room.

Note: Detaching from your service is important. Have good faith that your service is effective and will work. You may wish to lead the service and share parts of the Service format to give other group members an opportunity to participate more fully.

What happens at the end of The Twelve Blessings Service?

Some of our Twelve Blessings Groups organizers have refreshments available after their services with time to socialize. Group members may wish to read out a “Thought for the Day” (a spiritual aphorism), study and learn the Blessings given in The Twelve Blessings, or a prayer that is meaningful to them. The main focus is to help each other and the world.

This practice can be one of the most important and balanced practices you can do. You are giving to all those around you. Take that step by ACTING now!

If I wish to do more, what should I do?

You may wish to consider becoming an official Twelve Blessings Group. If you or the group wish to become more active in helping the Cosmic Masters bring healing to our world, please contact The Aetherius Society Center nearest to you.

Useful Resources
Books
The Twelve Blessings. These series of transmissions are available in book or taped form and were given by the Master Jesus in 1958 as an extension to the Sermon on the Mount, to include a cosmic concept. (Available in English and Spanish.)

The Nine Freedoms. This authoritative treatise contains teachings given by a Cosmic Master. This book outlines our journey through experience right up to Inter-planetary existence.

Book of Sacred Prayers. This pocket size edition is full of beautiful prayers, which can be used at any time.

You Too Can Heal. By George King D.D. The book contains both theory and practical techniques for hands on healing, self healing and absent healing.

Realize Your Inner Potential. This illustrated workbook guides the reader through a wide range of practices and concepts. These advanced, mystical techniques will help you to attune to your Higher Self.

Suggested Audio Tapes
C39 Soul Mantra
C46 Initiation Into Dynamic and Soul Mantra
C48 Service of The Twelve Blessings