Dr. Judith Orloff to be featured speaker at event in Unity Village

UNITY VILLAGE, Mo. - Have you ever played the "What I would do if I won the lottery" game? First, you make a mental list of the all people you care about. Then you decide what wonderful gift you’ll give each person on your list. Of course, the list is never as long as you’d like it to be, because even in your imagination, the money runs out.

But what if you had a treasure so rich you could give a glorious gift to all the people you want, save some for yourself, and never use it up? Start making your list, because that’s what Unity’s 11 th annual World Day of Prayer celebration is all about.

Beginning at 8 p.m. on Wednesday and continuing through midnight Thursday, Unity, its trans-denominational prayer ministry, Silent Unity, and many of the 900 Unity churches around the world will hold a prayer vigil. In concert with the prayer vigil, Unity will host a World Day of Prayer celebration open to people of all faiths and all walks of life at Unity Village at 1901 NW Blue Parkway (M-350 Highway and Colbern Road, near Lee’s Summit). All events are open to everyone.

The keynote speaker at the World Day of Prayer event will be popular author and psychiatrist Dr. Judith Orloff. Orloff is the author of "Positive Energy" The celebration will also feature a candlelight walk to open the prayer vigil and as well as prayer services and music. All events will be translated simultaneously in Spanish. Other guests will include author Regina Sara Ryan, and actress Jane Withers.

Last year, the names of an estimated 1.3 million people were honored throughout the 24-hour prayer vigil at Unity Village and were held in prayer for 30 days after. That’s the gift people in the Kansas City area can give their loved ones - prayers for them from others around the globe.

To submit names of friends and family members for the prayer vigil, visit www.worlddayofprayer.org . The Web site also offers the opportunity to request World Day of Prayer materials that include information on how you can participate in the vigil.

This year’s World Day of Prayer Theme is "United in God’s presence."

"This prayerful event gives everyone an opportunity to become spiritually centered and to support one another in challenging times," said Tom Zender, president of Unity. "We know the extraordinary power that can be generated by many people holding the same positive thoughts in prayer. We believe this can change the world."

Unity is a worldwide movement of prayer, education and publishing that that helps people of all faiths apply positive spiritual principles in their daily lives.

Unity was founded in 1889 in Kansas City. It is best known for Daily Word , a monthly magazine of inspirational messages that is distributed to about one million people in 175 countries. Silent Unity, a trans-denominational prayer ministry, maintains a 24-hour prayer vigil every day of the year and receives more than two million letters, telephone calls and Internet requests for prayer annually. Anyone in need of prayer support may call 816-969-2000. Outside Kansas City call toll free 1-800-NOW PRAY (669-7729).

World Day of Prayer Schedule. All events are open to the public. There is no charge.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

7 p.m. - Opening Ceremony in the Activities Center . Regina Sara Ryan, featured speaker and author of "Praying Dangerously." Reception and book signing follows at 8:30 p.m.

8 p.m. - Candlelight walk opens prayer vigil , which is continues to September 9, midnight. Silent Unity chapel.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

8:30 a.m. - Special Daily Word meeting in Activities Center. Dr. Judith Orloff, featured speaker, and author of "Positive Energy." Book signing follows in lobby. Special guest, actress Jane Withers, child star and later known as "Josephine the Plumber" in TV commercials.

11 a.m. - Silent Unity Prayer Service in Activities Center. Rev. Lynne Brown, featured speaker.

11:30 a.m. - "Lifting Our Prayers" celebration service. Music by the youth choir from University Academy of Kansas City, Missouri. Representatives of various faith traditions will present prayers, including Jewish, Sufi, Unitarian Universalist, Buddhist, and Native American.