Inspirational writer and speaker Robin Silverman of Grand Forks will speak about the power of prayer at the 25th annual Prayer Day Feb. 12 at the University of Mary in Bismarck.

When Silverman's mother-in-law recovered from a near-fatal illness after prayer chains were started for her in local congregations, she began to research the power of prayer.

Silverman lived through the 1997 flood of the Red River at Grand Forks; from that experience, she wrote a book, "The Ten Gifts." She is also the founder of Creativisions workshops and lectures, which focus on the achievement of peace and satisfaction on and off the job. She also has been published in "Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul."

Her book, "Something Wonderful is About to Happen," will be the title of her morning presentation.

In "Something Wonderful," she will talk about "the veil that separates us from the divine," she said.

"Heaven to me is not over the rainbow or in outer space. The divine is a presence that is very close to where we are."

Silverman's afternoon presentation is "The Power of Positive Prayer," looking at the healing properties and medical studies associated with intercessory prayer.

Current studies suggest that prayer, "at a distance," helps patients recover faster, with less pain and less medication, she said.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. The cost is $5; sessions are open to the public.

Those attending also may choose workshops available during the morning and afternoon. Silverman's presentations at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. will be at the McDowell Activity Center on campus.

Workshops are held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 to 2 p.m. Lunch is served at 11:45 a.m.; a eucharistic liturgy is planned at 3:15 p.m. Topics of the workshops vary from the Eucharist, peace issues, quilting and prayer, reiki, dreams, wholeness, personality types and prayer, Lent, journaling, and spirituality and the movies.

For more information, contact the University of Mary at 355-8102.

Silverman will be at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Bismarck from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.

She will read true stories from her book "Something Wonderful is About to Happen," and share how-to ideas focusing on making dreams come true, finding happiness and accomplishment during difficult circumstances.

Silverman said that more than half of the 47 stories in the book come from people in North Dakota and Minnesota.

"I want everyone to realize that you don't have to be rich, famous, or even lucky to have something wonderful happen to you," she said.