Unitarian-Universalist Prayers

In this section of the website, we provide members and newcomers with prayers and table graces that they may use in their daily lives.

"Prayer is  ...contemplation of the facts of life
from the highest  point of view." Emerson

PRAYERS

GRANT THAT TODAY...

Grant that today I may be able to face what I may have to face.
That I may be strong, but not hard.
That I may be brave, not foolishly so.
That I may be truthful with myself and others.
That I may be slow to blame and quick to forgive.
That I may resist the urge to become cynical and bitter.
That I may dedicate my every task, no matter how humble or mundane to some greater good.
And, if today be my last day on earth, grant that I may die with the 
sense of gratitude for all the good that I have received from others.  

Amen

Source: Suzanne Meyer, New Orleans, LA

WITH FAITH TO FACE OUR CHALLENGES

With faith to face our challenges,
With love that casts out fear,
With hope to trust tomorrow,
We accept this day as the gift it is --
A reason for rejoicing.

Source: Gary Kowalski

BEDSIDE PRAYER

Now quietly I lay me down,
For day is gone,
And night has come,
Good-bye sweet day!
Good-bye, my play!
I’m going to sleep in dreamland.
I like the light.
I like the night.
Do you? Do you?

Source: Sophia Lyon Fahs

LOBBY DAY PRAYER

Spirit of Life, Dear God,

This morning we are not a lone voice; we are many voices.
We speak for ourselves.We speak for others who cannot speak.
We carry our own stories.
We carry the stories of those who are not here.
We are names and faces.
We bring with us the names and faces of those beyond these walls.
We may be small in number,
But we bring with us multitudes.

Today, and into this place where laws are made,
This is who are, this is who we carry:
We are within margins, and we are the marginalized.
We are the nourished; we are the hungry.
We are the housed; we are the homeless.
We are healthy; we are sick.
We are strong, we are weak.
We are the believers, we are the doubters.
We are the remembered, we are the forgotten.

We are faithful; and we are a faith that is full.
We sing of more love, more hope, more peace, more joy.
We say we will keep on ‘till we find these things alive and living
In our neighborhoods, in our towns, in our state, in our world.

This is why we are here, this is why we have gathered,
Because ours is not just a faith of practiced preaching,
But a faith of preaching practiced.
We gather today to practice our faith,
And we are not alone in this work.
We are many voices, we are many hands, we are many hearts.

May we be inspired.

Let us say amen.

Source: Nathan Detering, Unitarian Universalist Minister( composite based on Isaac Watts, 1674-1748)

FROM ALL THAT DWELL BELOW THE SKIES

From all that dwell below the skies,
Let songs of hope and faith arise.
Let beauty, truth and good be sung,
From every land, by every tongue.

Source: composite based on Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

TABLE GRACES

FOR GOOD FOOD TO EAT

For good food to eat
and a challenge to meet,
For this life to live
and for love to give,
For friends to deserve
and a cause to serve,
We count ourselves blessed, and give thanks.

Source: Donald Harrington (adapted)

SPIRIT WHO IS ALL THINGS TO US

Spirit who is all things to us; Presence in which we live and move and breathe and have our being:

What a gift to be here together, sharing our food, our spirit, our selves! We ask no blessing upon this food, nor upon ourselves, because the blessing is always here, if we but pay attention.

What we do ask is for the courage and wisdom to be mindful of thy great blessings. We ask, O Holy One, that we remember to cherish this food, savoring the tastes, the smells, the feel, the miracle of nourishment to our bodies, gifts of our lovely earth. We ask, too, that we remember to cherish each other, to taste and savor our relationships, to understand that what we know of the sacred we know through these bodies and through these connections of friendship and love.

Grant us the wisdom to pay attention; grant us the generosity and the strength to open our hearts. So be it. Blessed be. Amen.

Source: Elizabeth L. Greene

GRACE BEFORE MEAT

We are thankful for these and all the good things of life. We recognize that they are a part of our common heritage and come to us through the efforts of our brothers and sisters the world over. What we desire for ourselves, we wish for all. To this end, may we take our share in the world's work and the world's struggles.

Source: J.S. Woodsworth

BANQUET PRAYER

As we gather around these banquet tables tonight, let us celebrate and be mindful of the unity and strength we draw from the diversity in our profession of languages, cultures, ages, disciplines, gender and sexual orientation.

Let us be mindful that in many cultures and traditions the banquet table is a symbol of gifts abundantly shared.

Let us draw strength from being here together in Québec City and from the knowledge and experiences we have shared.

Let us renew our commitment to be of greater service to our patients and the health of Canadians.

In all of this let us join together, Amen

Source: Chuck Shields

GIVE THANKS

Give thanks to the Mother Earth,
Give thanks to the Father Sun,
Give thanks to the plants in the garden
Where the Mother and Father are One.

Source: Rudolph Steiner