Let’s pray for a change of heart in the world of greedy businessmen… Let’s wander through the select vestibules of scurrilous statesmen – Meander around the mansions of petty politicians – Plead for change… from the habitual users of deadly aircraft to the tidal-wave-form-producers of plastic
May the greedy businessmen become volunteer carers The scurrilous statesmen convert to honourable benefactors The petty politicians learn to be compassionate Whilst the deadly aircraft users take to rambling… And as for the plastic manufacturers Let’s pray that they devote their lives to organic farming
Let’s pray for a change of heart across the world So that we may celebrate a life of health generosity, joy and love For ourselves and our glorious planet
Some years back a good friend died and asked me to carry out her funeral. It was very much the service she wanted, and her presence was strongly felt. The music was pretty varied and included Carol King’s ‘You’ve Got a Friend’. When it played the entire congregation broke into song. Everyone knew the words so well. It was a powerful moment. In this way my friend’s faith in friendship was celebrated by everyone in that space.
Friendship is mystical and beautiful. Here is a prayer celebrating friendship…
Friendship Prayer
May we bask In the radiant warmth Of friendship
May we bounce On lightweight laughter And be enthralled By unexpected stories Swirling, shared And exchanged
Illuminate us With luminous loyalty Judgement free So we may never fail And never fall
Make us playful Polite, generous Happy, sad, sorrowful Joyfully sharing This life journey
Let us share the mystery Of loving kindness That lies at the heart Of true friendship
I pray for myself I love myself Unconditionally And in loving myself I would wish no harm To myself Or others For this is a world Where everything Every—single—thing Is connected And so I start By honouring myself And giving myself Loving kindness On this shared life journey Of love With love
I pause… And now… I turn my thoughts Just as this world turns
I pray for one I love One person I love Unconditionally And in loving this soul I wish all things That makes them happy And feel well But above all I give them loving kindness On this shared life journey Of love With love
I pause… And now… I turn my thoughts Just as this world turns
I pray for one who I do not know well An acquaintance… Maybe a neighbour or a passer-by I pray for this soul Unconditionally And in praying I wish all things That that this soul would like And love in life That could make them happy But above all things I give them loving kindness On this shared life journey Of love With love
I pause… And now… I turn my thoughts Just as this world turns
I pray for someone I find difficult Difficult to like at all Some might say ‘an enemy’ I pray for this soul Unconditionally And in praying I wish them well And above all things I give them loving kindness On this shared life journey Of love With love
I pause… And now… I turn my thoughts Just as this world turns
I pray for the world For its people, its animals Its birds and beasts For its plants and flowers Its trees, its grasses Nature in all its stupendous glory The blue sky The deep oceans I pray for this world Unconditionally And in loving this world I would wish no harm To any living thing Or any part of this world For this is a world Where everything Every—single—thing Is connected And so I reach out And give the world Loving kindness With all my heart On this shared life journey Of love With love