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The Universe Is Calling: Opening to the Divine Through Prayer
“A wonderful book…truly a life-changer.”
—Norman Vincent Peale
In his much-beloved classic, The Universe is Calling, Eric Butterworth, Unity minister and acclaimed author of Discover the Power Within You, offers a non-theological, non-ritualistic guide to prayer for contemporary seekers of guidance, wholeness, and self-regulation. The call of the universe, Butterworth explains, is the call to, “take charge of your life, to release your imprisoned splendor.” His spiritually liberating wisdom is powerful and inspiring, and it will lead readers to a truer and stronger connection with the divine.
—Norman Vincent Peale
In his much-beloved classic, The Universe is Calling, Eric Butterworth, Unity minister and acclaimed author of Discover the Power Within You, offers a non-theological, non-ritualistic guide to prayer for contemporary seekers of guidance, wholeness, and self-regulation. The call of the universe, Butterworth explains, is the call to, “take charge of your life, to release your imprisoned splendor.” His spiritually liberating wisdom is powerful and inspiring, and it will lead readers to a truer and stronger connection with the divine.
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 1993
149 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 15, 2024
4.5 Butterworth is a generational voice in the New Thought, specifically Unity, movements. It's not my favorite of his many works, but it is a wonderful primer on praying from a shared consciousness with God, versus praying to a remote divinity. His remarkable ability to render complicated metaphysical concepts in simplistic language is reminiscent of another New Thought icon, H. Emilie Cady decades before. This is practical Christianity and mysticism for everyday living.
March 27, 2015
I really enjoyed this Butterworth book on prayer.
October 27, 2020
Ephesians 3:20 God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Matthew 19:26
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Mark 10:27
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
Luke 1:37
For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Revelation 4:8
And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
Hebrews 6:18
So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.
Genesis 18:14
Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”
Jeremiah 32:17
‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.
Romans 10:9
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
God is everywhere and is in everything
Ephesians 4:6 There is one God and Father of everything. He rules everything and is everywhere and is in everything.
Strength
Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.
Nehemiah 8:10 Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Exodus 15:2 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him— my father’s God, and I will exalt him!
Psalm 9:9-10 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Psalm 34:10b Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Isaiah 26: 3-4 Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace—because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock.
1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Psalm 32:7-8 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Exodus 33:14 My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.
Deuteronomy 31:8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
Psalm 34:17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.
Isaiah 30:15 In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.
Love
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
love bible verses, john 3:16
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” 1 John 3:1
“His banner over me is love.” Song of Songs 2:4
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
“But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Psalm 86:15
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34
“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:8-9
“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep.” Psalm 36:5-6
“But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love…” Nehemiah 9:17
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8
Matthew 19:26
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Mark 10:27
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
Luke 1:37
For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Revelation 4:8
And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
Hebrews 6:18
So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.
Genesis 18:14
Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”
Jeremiah 32:17
‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.
Romans 10:9
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
God is everywhere and is in everything
Ephesians 4:6 There is one God and Father of everything. He rules everything and is everywhere and is in everything.
Strength
Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.
Nehemiah 8:10 Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Exodus 15:2 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him— my father’s God, and I will exalt him!
Psalm 9:9-10 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Psalm 34:10b Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Isaiah 26: 3-4 Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace—because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock.
1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Psalm 32:7-8 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Exodus 33:14 My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.
Deuteronomy 31:8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
Psalm 34:17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.
Isaiah 30:15 In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.
Love
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
love bible verses, john 3:16
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” 1 John 3:1
“His banner over me is love.” Song of Songs 2:4
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
“But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Psalm 86:15
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34
“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:8-9
“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep.” Psalm 36:5-6
“But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love…” Nehemiah 9:17
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8
November 20, 2025
This book was not what I expected; it far exceeded my expectations. Funny enough, I’d been praying for more guidance on prayers and God worked through a friend who recommended this to me. 🙏
The concept of asking for what you want in prayer actually being counter-productive made me rethink prayer entirely. The chapter on affirming rather than asking has a wonderful instructional section to help you create a list of affirmations in the positive derived from a list of all the “problems” you’d like solved. I took a handful of problems/stressors through this exercise and it really worked to see them in a new light.
The section on prayers for others was some tough love. You begin reading thinking “I’m such a good person for wanting to pray for my friend’s health or good luck” or whatever it is and the author turns it all right back on you. “Wait, so you’re telling me my prayers for my loved ones are part of the problem?! Yikes…” It really has me rethinking the way I think about “helping” others.
This is a book I’ll continue to refer back to as I practice, practice, practice!
The concept of asking for what you want in prayer actually being counter-productive made me rethink prayer entirely. The chapter on affirming rather than asking has a wonderful instructional section to help you create a list of affirmations in the positive derived from a list of all the “problems” you’d like solved. I took a handful of problems/stressors through this exercise and it really worked to see them in a new light.
The section on prayers for others was some tough love. You begin reading thinking “I’m such a good person for wanting to pray for my friend’s health or good luck” or whatever it is and the author turns it all right back on you. “Wait, so you’re telling me my prayers for my loved ones are part of the problem?! Yikes…” It really has me rethinking the way I think about “helping” others.
This is a book I’ll continue to refer back to as I practice, practice, practice!
May 13, 2022
This was not my favorite Butterworth book... there are better ones out there! But it was an enjoyable quick read, and I always appreciate his enlightening interpretations of the Bible and Biblical stories.
December 22, 2023
ABSOLUTE PERFECTION!!!!!!!!!! So many questions on metaphysical prayer was answered for me. I understand things so much clearer now. I feel better as a person after reading this book. I feel that way after reading any of his books.
May 24, 2019
Excellent!
I just finished and am about to start reading it again. Life changing. By far, my favorite book of the year!
I just finished and am about to start reading it again. Life changing. By far, my favorite book of the year!
March 29, 2020
Thought Provoking
So many mental shifts.
I savored this book. It took forever to read, so I could digest the concepts.
I will read again.
So many mental shifts.
I savored this book. It took forever to read, so I could digest the concepts.
I will read again.
October 16, 2020
Wonderful book and thought revoking.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2021
This is my favorite Eric Butterworth book. Applicable, thoughtful, and inspiring.
March 13, 2022
Prayer Made Practical
I loved how he states the obvious as to uncover what was already in our consciousness. Everything about this book made sense.
I loved how he states the obvious as to uncover what was already in our consciousness. Everything about this book made sense.
January 21, 2020
I read this book once a year as part of my continuing spiritual growth. Each time I discover new nuggets of learning and wisdom.
My reading in 2020 is no different from prior readings in that I continue to discover new insights that help me in my spiritual journey.
This book is for those who want to break away from the traditional staid and often incorrect interpretations of God. He is not a puppet master nor some grandfatherly being sitting on a throne dispensing justice at a whim but as Butterworth paints a energy that resides with us everyday.
Pick this book up only if you are ready to stretch your thinking and explore new heights in your spiritual journey.
My reading in 2020 is no different from prior readings in that I continue to discover new insights that help me in my spiritual journey.
This book is for those who want to break away from the traditional staid and often incorrect interpretations of God. He is not a puppet master nor some grandfatherly being sitting on a throne dispensing justice at a whim but as Butterworth paints a energy that resides with us everyday.
Pick this book up only if you are ready to stretch your thinking and explore new heights in your spiritual journey.
Read
March 21, 2014I think the book was true to it's title and it fulfilled my expectations. I enjoyed the book. OPENING TO THE DIVINE THROUGH PRAYER was the thought that pulled me in and I did not feel that I was forced to read this book. The theory was realistic. I really would have liked to have met the author? The actions presented by the author seem plausible (reasonable)?
May 8, 2015
The concept here is that one prays, not in supplication or "to God," but "from God" (the Christ presence within), allowing one's divine potential to shine. These teachings have been a blessing to me since I became aware of Unity thought nearly two years ago.
Want to read
September 7, 2012Good book on prayer and meditation.
August 17, 2013
Truly inspiring. I will definitely refer back to this one when I need some guidance
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews