UNITY VILLAGE, Mo. — "'Tis the season to be jolly?" It's a fine sentiment for a holiday carol, but pulling it off can be as iffy as keeping the cat out of the Christmas tree. Why? Because, for many of us, stress makes the Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas seasons anything but the most wonderful times of the year.

Research supports that stress, if not epidemic, is more prevalent during the holidays. In a scientific poll conducted by Dateline NBC and Prevention Magazine, 41 percent of respondents admitted to finding the holiday season stressful, ranking it right up there with asking the boss for a raise.

What's causing all that stress? How do we find peace?

Jim Jackson of the Silent Unity prayer ministry knows first-hand what the season's top stressors are.

"They are just the kinds of things you'd expect," said Jackson. "Many people we pray with are worried about making ends meet during the costly holiday season. They are stressed because they are concerned about their finances."

Jackson said another common stressor is loneliness, especially for those who have lost a loved one or who are somehow separated from friends and family.

"We often find that the holidays simply exacerbate existing stress factors," Jackson said. Fatigue, unrealistic expectations, and demands on our time round out the rest of Jackson's list of causes for the holiday blues.

How does Jackson know about holiday stress? He is the director of the Silent Unity Telephone Prayer Ministry. Each December, Silent Unity receives over 100,000 prayer requests from callers around the world who seek the comfort and understanding that comes with affirmative prayer. In fact, Silent Unity receives more than two million prayer requests each year by telephone, mail and Internet.

Silent Unity knows how to help people with prayer. The first step, according to Jackson, is inviting callers to share their concerns. "Sometimes, just defining our needs can be a great stress reducer," said Jackson. "In prayer, we invite the callers to shift their focus from any apparent challenges they have to the spirit of God within them, which we believe is the answer to every need and prayer. That's the beginning of affirmative prayer. And, affirmative prayer is the beginning of peace, even during a season when peace seems hard to come by."

Jackson explained, " We do not offer counseling or advice at Silent Unity. Our goal is to blanket callers in the warmth of loving, faith-filled prayer. No matter how far along they are in their spiritual journey, we help them to let go of concerns by building their awareness of their own inner strength and God's presence in their lives."

And it works, said Jackson. "Finding that kind of peace is the best stress reducer there is."

Here are some suggestions for additional ways to reduce holiday stress:

Enjoy activities that are free, such as taking a drive to look at holiday decorations.

• Keep expectations realistic. Pace yourself.
• Stay in the moment. Don't get caught up in "the good ol' days." Enjoy the season as it is.

Silent Unity accepts prayer requests at unityonline.org. The toll free number for the Silent Unity Telephone Prayer Ministry is 1-800-NOW-PRAY (669-7729). Phones at Silent Unity are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All prayer requests are considered sacred and are held in the strictest confidentiality.

Silent Unity is the trans-denominational prayer ministry of Unity, a worldwide movement of prayer, publishing, and education that helps people of all faiths apply positive spiritual principles in their daily lives. It was founded in 1889 and is located near Kansas City, Missouri.