I received this Inaugural Prayer and Meditation idea from a post on the Bay Area Reclaiming e-group. I thought it was a wonderful concept, and have decided to re-post it here at the Crossroads for my readers who wish to join in on this effort. Whether you choose to do this as part of a group or as a solitary, please do consider offering up your own prayers to the Spirits during this historic occasion.
Blessings,
~ Ocean
Dear friends,
We have a wonderful opportunity to serve our nation and the world by holding the upcoming inauguration in communal meditation and prayer. To help us do this, I have felt called to create an inaugural prayer and meditation circle format that you can use as is, or modify with additional readings, music, etc. A suggested format is included below.
I invite you to host a circle and invite others to join you, or simply “tune in” and participate in your own heart, knowing that these inaugural prayer and meditation circles are happening. The suggested time for the Circle is
11:00 AM Washington D.C. time on Tuesday, January 20th, 2009.
Inauguration ceremonies begin at 11:30 ET.
Click here
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html
to find your local time.
But if you need to do it at a different time, it’s still serving!
Feel free to circulate this message.
Blessings and love,
Kit
INAUGURAL GOODWILL PRAYER AND MEDITATION CIRCLES
The intent of these circles is to honor and surround with prayer the historic occasion of the inauguration of our nation’s first African-American President, Barack Obama, and to offer our collective prayers and blessings for this new beginning in the life of our country. By coming together in this group work and opening our hearts to one another and the Divine, we trust that all of this will have a loving and healing affect for the United States and the world.
“Nothing is as powerful as an idea whose time has come”
Suggested Inaugural Prayer Circle Structure
Note: if you are doing this prayer and meditation solitary, simply adapt the structure of this prayer circle accordingly to meet your needs. Remember, this is only a guideline – feel free to modify it to your own preferences.
Gather in a circle
(around a lighted candle if possible)
Welcome all who are in the circle and state the intent of the circle
(see above)
Link in Spirit with those participating in other inaugural circles
Invocation for the Soul of the United States (or other nation)
(See below: To be read aloud by all with pauses between the stanzas)
Silent Meditation/Prayer
(20 – 30 minutes)
(Opened and closed by the ringing of a chime or bell)
Sharing from the Meditation/Prayer Time
(out loud or in the silence of our hearts)
Closing
(may close with Amen, So Mote It Be, OM, Shalom, or other modes as desired)
Invocation for the Soul of the United States (or other nation)
To be read aloud by all, with a pause between stanzas.
May we as a nation be guided by the Divine to rediscover the sacred flame of our national heritage, which so many have given their lives to safeguard;
Let the wounds of separation and division be healed by opening our hearts to listen to the truth on all sides, allowing us to find a higher truth that includes us all;
May we learn to honor and enjoy our diversity and differences as a people, even as we more deeply touch our fundamental unity;
May we, as a people, undergo a transformation that will draw forth individuals to lead our nation who embody courage, compassion and a higher vision;
May our leaders inspire us, and we so inspire each other, that a new spirit of forgiveness, caring and honesty be born in our nation;
May we, as a united people, move with clear, directed purpose to take our place within the community of nations to help build a better future for all humankind;
May we as a nation rededicate ourselves to truly living as one nation, under God (Spirit), indivisible, with liberty and justice for all;
And may God’s (the Divine’s) Will be done for our nation, as we, the people, align with that Will.
Invocation courtesy of the Center for Visionary Leadership:
This sculpture shows the sign for "connect"...and that is what Deaf Pagan Crossroads is all about - making connections. Connections between Deafhood and Paganism, connections between the Deaf Community and the Hearing Community, connections between myself as the writer and you as the reader. I hope you will take the time to read my various posts, some of which are listed below. Welcome to the Crossroads, and I hope you make some connections here!
not sure if i can tune in but i will most certainly do my solitary thing which should coincide with what you are doing bb birch
My grandfather, a Jewish refugee from the early years of the Holocaust, was a professor who taught history at a southern black college. My father was active in the Civil Rights Movement of the 60’s, and actually shook hands with Dr. King.
Sadly, all three men have passed on to the Summerlands – my father died of cancer shortly after Barack Obama announced his candidacy. It had been his fervent wish to live long enough to see Obama win the presidency… but the Goddess had other plans for him.
Tomorrow I shall invoke the spirits of my ancestors as I do my own private inaugurational ritual.
I know that if my father and grandfather were here today, they would be very proud of this nation, its people, and their ability to see past the color of one’s skin to electing the best qualified person to lead the United States into a new era.
Thanks for posting this, Ocean. I’ll be joining with the others during this time of prayer and meditation.
I won’t make it there in washington d.c. I had to go for blood tests. Yes, I will do to pray for the peace and unite. And pray for the new president . Thank u.
Blessed Be,
Witchpi
I Really Love Reading Your Blog. Excellent. Keep up the great work!
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