Letter from the President April 2022

“On Prayer and Spirituality”

Dear Reader,

Every morning since the COVID-19 pandemic began, I receive an email with a prayer for

the day written by one of the chaplains in the Texas Medical Center. I read the prayer

and almost always can feel the chaplain praying from the depths of his or her heart.

Prayer is an expression of our spirituality and I believe we all pray when we feel we need

strength from a source beyond ourselves. Our prayers change over time, as we change,

and as our relationship with our understanding of God, love, and grace changes.

Chaplains share their prayers, and I believe it is important for us to share how we pray.

Today, I pray for three things: for wisdom, for understanding, and for God to lead, guide,

and direct me into God’s perfect will for my life. I trust God will hear that prayer and it

will be answered.

At our Institute we teach mind-body skills on how to breath and be in the present

moment. So, for years now I have prayed in this way: On my in-breath to a count of five,

I say = Lord God you are my God / holding my breath to a count of two, I say = and / as I

breath out to a count of five or six, I say = ever will I praise thee. I pray at least three

times each the following phrases:

Lord God you are my God / and / ever will I worship thee

I worship thee / and / I exalt thee

I praise thee / and / I love thee

Lord God you are my God / and / ever will I worship thee

Then, I pray for members of my family, for our Institute and my co-workers, for friends,

for my church and priest, and for the leaders of our city and state – to have:

Wisdom, Guidance, and to know God’s will for their lives

Today, I pray especially for the people of Ukraine, for our President, our nation and

world leaders to have:

Wisdom, Guidance, and to know God’s will for our corporate life

And, when God puts something on my heart, I pray for that too, of course.

Prayer engages the spiritual dimension of our lives and can bring balance to our lives.

Our prayer reaches to a universe, and beyond, where all things are possible.

I would love to hear how you pray,

John K. Graham, M.D., D.Min., President and CEO