Opening Prayer by Peter Rajski.

Meeting of the Commission for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton, June 1999.


In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Peter began: "I now understand how true it is that God has no favorites, but that in every nation those who are God fearing and do what is right are acceptable for him." (Acts of Apostles, 10:34-35). Let us try, therefore, to pray for unity with those who believe in God using some of their words.

Let us pray for the Spirit of Unity as described by His Holiness John Paul II:

There is only one human community and it consists of all peoples. They have only one origin, since God inhabited the entire earth with the whole human race. And they have one ultimate destiny, God, (...)

(Crossing the Threshold of Hope, P.78).

Let us pray for the Spirit of Oneness as reflected in the teachings of a Hindu saint Babaji:

We are all one with each other and with God (Teachings of Babaji, P.3). (…) Placed before the sun in the sky, a thousand pitchers of water will reflect the sun. Then you will see that the sun in the sky is only one, but the reflections are many. (...)(P.20-21). All religions are incorporated in the principle of Truth, Simplicity and Love (P.13). In all respects, we are one humanity, one human family. Limitations arise from political beliefs and world leaders who hold thinking to time, place and culture, thereby creating differences and separateness. The birthright of all mankind is to love and follow God. Limitations arise from erroneous human beliefs. (...)(P.39). Remove hatred and jealousy from the heart. The same thing has been repeatedly written in the Bible and spoken through Christ. Where there is jealousy and hatred, there is no religion (P.41). You must seek that unity from whence there is an awareness that we are all one. Seek harmony in all that you do.

Let us pray for the Spirit of Tolerance in ourselves with the following words from The Quran:

(...) And say, "I believe in all the scriptures revealed by God, and I am commanded to treat you amicably, God is our Lord and your Lord; we have our deeds and you have your deeds. There is no argument between us and you. God will gather us together; to Him is the ultimate destiny."

(Quran 42:15).

Let us pray for the Spirit of Friendliness in us as proposed in the Baha'i Faith:

O people! Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. (Baha'ullah.) O Lord! Unite and bind together the hearts, join in accord all the souls, and exhilarate the spirits through the signs of Thy sanctity and oneness. (…) O Lord God! Make us as waves of the sea, as flowers of the garden, united, agreed through the bounties of Thy love. (Abdu'l-Baha)

Let us pray for the Spirit of Friendship with God in us with the words of Guru Nanak:

My friendship is with the One God and I love only Him. God alone is my friend and He is my only companion. I converse with God alone. He never has a frown on His face. He knows all that worries me and never turns His back on me. God alone, with the power to create as well as destroy, is my adviser. He, who has His hand on the heads of all the givers in the world, is my only Giver. The One God, who has power over all, is my support. (…). Shri Guru Granth Sahib

Let us pray for the Spirit of Mindfulness in us as explained by a Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh:

When we are mindful, touching deeply the present moment, we can see and listen deeply, and the fruits are always understanding, acceptance, love and desire to relieve suffering and bring joy.

(Living Buddha, Living Christ, P.14).

Let us pray for the Spirit of God's Presence so we may discover Him in the beauty, in the patience and gentleness, in the very heart and breath of all who are present at this table, of all whom we will meet today, and tomorrow and in all the days to come, as reflected in the words of Bhagavad-Gita:

For one who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in me, I am never lost, nor is he ever lost to Me.

(Gita 6:30)

Finally, let us pray for the Spirit of Surrender as taught by our Lord, Jesus Christ:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Last updated: 2001/11/03
 

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