We love you Lord. May we reach out in apology as we turn in love to those who hurt us. Feeding the hungry, comforting the sick and the bereaved, sheltering the homeless loving others as we love ourselves. And give thanks that it unsleeping We pray for policies that recognize their plight. For those who do not have adequate health insurance. [12]The UUA and CUC are, in turn, two of the seventeen members of theInternational Council of Unitarians and Universalist. I sometimes put thoughts or words to my breathing, perhaps breathing in compassion, and then breathing out neglect, or breathing in self-love and breathing out self-judgment. What does it mean? The love of our fellowship, Take with you the peace of our church community, (HFL 5)(Alison Patrick). Lord, help us to study and apply your Word to our lives each day. Help us to see what truly matters We ask that you give us eyes to see when evil is before us, hearts to hate evil and the desire to flee from its presence. Not for miracles, but to meet the mundane with grace and hope. Information in this post gathered from brochure entitled, Family Prayers, printed by the Unitarian Universalist Association. Thank You for bringing us together to accomplish this great feat for Your glory, though the odds were stacked against us as they often are. Blessed be! Thank you for your continued financial support of Hope Church during the pandemic. We give you praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy! [7]The theology of individual Unitarian Universalists ranges widely, with the majority beingHumanist,[8]but also having members that followatheism,agnosticism,pantheism,deism,Judaism,Islam,[9]Christianity,neopaganism,Hinduism,Buddhism,Taoism, and many more. You see, the atheists I know often engage in concrete forms of prayer as they seek to give of themselves, to transcend their own limitations, to work on behalf of human rights, and to respond to the needs of others. 10 Blessing A Blessing for Bridging By Maureen Killoran Tagged as: 1st Principle (Worth & Dignity), 3rd Principle (Acceptance & Spiritual Growth), Beginnings, Bridging, Bridging Ceremony, Coming of Age, Community, Generations, Growth, Home, Hope, Humanism, Love, Relationships, Unitarian Universalism, Young Adults, WorshipWeb A Blessing for Finals Let us keep the light of the chalice, that we now put out, lit in our hearts throughout the coming week. Holy Spirit, translate our desires and pleadings, and may we understand the faithful response of our great Father. Required fields are marked *. The bible says that where two or three are gathered in His name He is there also. For those who are afraid to access care due to immigration status. Even the venerable theologian Paul Tillich had encouraging words for those who find praying to God impossible. May we be blessed, but only as we bless others, That even when we have done what You have asked, the results are so much greater than we ever could have imagined. We need you. Your wish is our wish May we listen to each other wish respect and treat each other with courtesy and generosity. Instead of back-building worry and anxiety as we attempt to forecast an unknown future, Paul begs us to Pray about everything in every way you know how! (Ephesians 6:18 VOICE). - what Unitarians and UUs mean by worship - the celebration of ultimate worth Praying as Unitarian Universalists: How can we pray with integrity, grace, power, and purpose? We pray for recognition of the dignity of all. Thank you for your great love and care. (Beth Ann Baus). As we extinguish this chalice, let us return to the outside world with renewed hope, love and courage to continue our journey through life. And to tune into Your ancient message of Love Take a few moments to become centered within yourself. Amen. Abdu'l-Baha's Prayers for the Unitarians - BahaiTeachings.org Sunday, April 26: How to Pray Without Being Religious Let God be present in all your meetings. Ready us to make every moment count. Through the love that knows no bounds, we are hopeful. We stand together in your great and powerful Name. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how topray or what to pray. As the sound slowly drifts, they lower their hands. Just Google on UU Meditations Try including your theme in the search term. Father, Help us to embrace and enjoy the life youve given us to live. You may pray at any time simply by saying positive wishes for yourself or others, either in your mind or aloud. (Tas Cooper), Determination: Online Service for Sunday 2nd July 2023, Respect: Online Service for Sunday 18th June 2023, Sabbath Rest and Silence: Online Service for Sunday 11th June 2023, Going with the Flow: Online service for Sunday 4th June 2023, MUA Inc Executive Committee Key Messages 25th May 2023, Comparison is the thief of joy: Online Service for Sunday 24th October 2021, Twentieth Anniversary of 9/11: Online Service for 12th September 2021, Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: Online Service for Sunday 5th September 2021, We are all Creative: Online Service for Sunday 29th August 2021, Black Ribbon Day: Online Service for Sunday 22nd August 2021. If someone recited the prayer with you, you may choose to blow out the candle together. another voice may speak. Take the time to be truly amazed today at what is in the world every day. Your email address will not be published. And the inspiration and guidance to do right. Glory be to the One True, Triune, God! By Ian Cooper Steer our intentions to align with Your righteous will. For you entered here in fellowship, Now available is our new DailyPrayer devotional! It doesnt matter what the subject of meetings is, once you gather together you can pray over anything. Reveal things, people, or attitudes of our hearts that no longer nurture or nourish our walk with you. Unitarian Universalist minister and theologian Forrest Church used to say, "tell me about the God you don't believe in, because I'm sure I don't believe in that God either.". If more than one person prays, take turns lighting and extinguishing the candle. For Unitarian Universalists pray takes many forms, some collective, some individual. Right now, our denomination is considering huge changes to its infrastructure in attempt to slow our decline in numbers and influence. 250788, The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, We use cookies so we can see how many people visit our website and which pages they visit. (Gavin Lloyd), Blessed Spirit of our lives, may we leave here strengthened to face the world with clear vision, to have ears open to hear the still small voice, and with peace and love in our hearts. May we not harden our heart when we hear your voice, but rather circumcise those things of our heart that youre asking us to remove. The letter P reminds me to offer Praise. Will flow out into the world, Are We Remembering or Forgetting the Sabbath? Yet, on this earth He promised us that we would encounter much pain. The Letter Y stands for Yourself. This is where I lay it all on the line, complain and cajole, sometimes laugh or weep, as I call myself daily to live on higher ground. I release those thoughts and ideas that keep me from living my best life now. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Still, for me prayer is not a hotline to heaven or the code to Heaven's ATM machine, where I can get in line and get the goods, even as my enemies are systematically destroyed for God's glory. It is difficult to sing when years ago someone told us that we couldnt; but in time we have learned that it doesnt matter what we sound like because singing is good for our health. Instead Universalists asserted that all people will eventually be reconciled with God. Making it a happier, gentler place. In Jesus Name, Amen. Prayer for meetings can reveal the solutions to problems to be discussed at meetings. May that truth shape how we view others, but first, may it shape how we view ourselves. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy. Shocked, one male parrot looked over at the other and exclaimed: Put the beads away, Frank. Well sometimes we can, sometimes it is difficult to sing: and so let us pray: Singing God, when we find it hard, nigh impossible to sing, please keep singing for us. Many blessings and joy to you on this journey, Amy. (HFL 303)(Tas Cooper), As we open the door to step back into the wider world, Listen to what the silence yearns to teach you and realize you have known it all along. print document We ask for the long-expected Jesus to come quickly and make all things new. In Jesus Name, Amen. [15]Unitarian Universalist congregations and fellowships tend to retain some Christian traditions, such as Sunday worship with a sermon and the singing of hymns. That it will never pass away Fatigue will soon be replaced by depression, and then both words and deeds are a thing of the past. In every situation we ponder in our daily lives, let the Holy Spirit translate Your commands. May our shortcomings be forgiven, Jesus, in Your Powerful Name we pray, Amen. Unitarian Universalists often will not blow out a ritual candle, but rather will use a candle-extinguisher -- a bell-shaped, inverse metal cup that hangs down from a handle to cover the flame. Direct your prayers to whatever God you believe in, or to a beloved symbol from a world religion, such as Jesus, Gaia, or a saint. One time during a lecture he stunned his academic audience by stating, Many reasons have been given why we should not pray, whilst others are given why we should pray. [10]TheUnitarian Universalist Association(UUA) was formed in 1961, a consolidation of theAmerican Unitarian Association, established in 1825, and theUniversalist Church of America,[11]established in 1866. (Matt Chandler), photo credit: GettyImages/Molchanovdmitry,Video credits for audio, video, photos: Soundstripe, Storyblocks, LightStock, ThinkStock. Help us treat them, and each other, well. We thank you for your truth, no weapon formed that is formed against you will prosper, and that you tell us this is our heritage in you, our inherited blessing, place of possession, and gift straight from your hand. Liberalizing Unitarians rejected theTrinitarianbelief in the tri-partite godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost/Spirit. Still, for me prayer is not a hotline to heaven or the code to Heavens ATM machine, where I can get in line and get the goods, even as my enemies are systematically destroyed for Gods glory. Some people meet every week in some organizations. That is not you. Dont skip the hardest question of allWhat does it mean?if you want your doing to make a difference. May we become more righteous in your eyes. Please say these words: Take good care of yourself and be a blessing to others! Invocation for City Council Meeting. Lets read our Offertory Response together: We warm ourselves at fires we did not light. Forgive us for when we don't thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you've given. The next time you find yourself challenged by change or experience a disruption in life, try asking yourself the questions: What do I know? You know when we are lost, Lord. (Dorothy Haughton), Grant that as winter dies away and new life is reborn we may rise to a greater awareness of the gifts of nature round about us and a greater awareness of the rebirth, continuity and unity of life. Somehow we must accept even if we cannot understand. The whole of creation is alive with spirit, with the breath of life, with the divine impulse. Privacy Policy. Or do you know some Unitarian Universalists and find yourself curious about their religious practices? May we go out from here unashamedly greeting all as friends. A Unitarian Universalist Minister's Prayer - Religious Coalition for I must pray to coax and tease, to cry and laugh, to believe and to give up belief in the presence of Something or Someone greater than myself, if I am ever to find and live into my best self. (Debbie McDaniel). I pray becausealoneI am not enough and also I am too much. For each mind and heart that fills the presence of this room, we thank You. And may we leave this room in harmony with one another, glad to have spent time in each others company and content with our collective resolutions. Praying as Unitarian Universalists | UU World Magazine Set us free from comparison in order to work together efficiently. May we so fall into your arms of grace, so we never feel the pangs of condemnation rip us apart. To rejoice in the beauty of the earth When we feel guided to pursue a certain path may we not give up hope when the going gets tough, but look to our faith for help and support to achieve our goal. You can read more on our. We ask that you would remind us to pray, constantly, for all believers. How many rise up against me! You rescued us, defeating death on the cross and rising to sit at the right hand of the Father in heaven. You only need to be honest with yourself. David, as a "born Unitarian-Universalist", now a confirmed Bah'i after a long, slow journey out of agnosticism, I have found this series resonating with me like a bell - especially your commemoration of the brave life of the Unitarian martyr Michael Servetus and your tale of the two prayers revealed expressly for the Unitarians by 'Abdu'l Bah, of which I was not until this . Take what we have prepared and multiply our efforts as only You can. (Gavin Lloyd), The mornings are lengthening, Amen. Prayers for Beginning a Meeting or Gathering - Building Faith This is the place for silence, not words, and for spirit, not sanctimony. And I use the letters from the word PRAY to guide my thoughts and words. Let us desire to become more like you and to worship you in all we do. Unless we embody our prayers and create the new realities that our prayers describe, we really havent got a prayer. Then I sit a bit longer, now conscious of my breathing in and breathing out. Well share together here Please join me in reciting our living covenant: I invite you to join me in this prayer adapted from the United Conference of Catholic Bishops: For those who are particularly vulnerable. Your Word is alive and active. We ask that the Holy Spirit please open our eyes so we may see anything that is hindering our relationship with you. When asked to whom Buddhists pray, the Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh replied, The one who prays and the one prayed to are two realities that cannot be separated from each other. We have a small library you can check out, or buy some new ones and donate them to the library if you wish. But then we would find ourselves outside of an experience that has been part of the human condition since the first sun rose to warm and nourish the earth, accompanied by the chorus of birds and the cacophony of crickets. A place where people of reason, humor and compassion come together to explore religion without dogma or guilt and to work for a world based on peace and justice. Books of meditations by UU ministers are available from Beacon Press and Skinner House Books. Congregations often do the same. In Jesus name, Amen. When I pray, I acknowledge that God is not me. This content is available under WikiHows Creative Commons license. Tie down our heart into you. Rev. The extent to which the elements of any particular faith tradition are incorporated into personal spiritual practice is a matter of individual choice for congregants, in keeping with a creedless, non-dogmatic approach to spirituality and faith development. By Ian Cooper In Readings Themes: Committee, Community, together We come together as a group of individuals with diverse needs and diverse gifts. May our daily needs be met, Jesus walked the earth to explain so much to us, and to save us from eternal suffering. Dear God, Thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. And may that flame still burn bright in our hearts when we return to rekindle it here next week. Amen (HFL 125)(Sue Woolley), As we leave this place, let us carry with us the communion with the Spirit of life that we have found here today. This immediately alters my surroundings from the everydayness of life, which for me is not normally big on smells and bells. What does it mean? Thankfully, were told in the Bible that we will all fall short. Prayer is mostly silence; often our verbosity in prayer masks the fear of knowing ourselves to the point that we must change who we are or how we live. Amen. Go in peace. Help us build a culture of generosity as we do the work of this church in the world. When I pray, I go to a place of solitude (no easy feat) and perhaps a stick of incense. Wow, Help, Thank You: A Spirituality of Prayer for Unitarian (Alison Patrick), Let us remember that everyone of us, not just children, responds to being treated with respect, with compassion, with thoughtfulness let us use each worship hour to inspire us and help us each day to love our neighbours as ourselves, treating all others with respect, with compassion, with thoughtfulness. Consider doing this especially if you have trouble feeling centered. (90 seconds.) Meditations and Prayers for Worship | WorshipWeb | UUA.org But today will be a joyful day. . Continue to nurture us every day My parrots can teach your parrots to pray and worship, and your parrots are sure to stop saying that phrase in no time., Thank you, the parishioner responded, that may very well be the solution.. Bring your two parrots over to my place and well put them in the cage with Francis and Peter. So typical, isnt it? And to resist evil and negative behaviour, May we not be tempted beyond endurance, and may we be delivered from evil, for yours is the realm of eternal values, the power of ultimate goodness now and always. Lets say our unison words for chalice lighting. May our world be blessed, Lofty language and theological genius have never been requirements for prayer and often get in the way of authentic praying. Knowing that the ripples of our compassion The pride that puffs us up and the pride that threatens to unqualify us. Sunday, June 25th, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. ALL ARE WELCOME! In Psalm 3, as he faces yet another terrifying and humiliating season of his life, he chooses to focus on Gods character and faithfulness. The Unitarian Universalist Association's (UUA's) "meditation manual" series has a new name: InSpirit. Amen(Sue Woolley), Spirit of Light and Life and Love, In Your perfect way, You hold the world in balance and our souls in tune. We thank you that though you remind us in your word that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one, you are still far greater and we have overcome, because you have set us free. Article Images Copyright , Banish the Unofficial Luggage of Foster Care, 20 Opening Prayers Perfect for Meetings, Church, and Events, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Here are powerful opening prayers to help focus our efforts on striving for the peace that transcends all understanding.