Prayer for Compassion by Rev. Elizabeth Tarbox
Memorial Day prayer by Barry May 25, 2015
Sacred and eternal presence,
God of us all, called by many names but never truly named,
We pray, on this sacred day, for all those men and women who have lost their lives through war and conflict. We consecrate their sacrifices for country and for companions.
We pray also for the families for whom this day will always bring challenges. We pray for their comfort and peace every day. Their loss and sacrifice will never be contained in a single day's remembrance.
We pray for the courage to see and to understand.
We pray also that this day will bring a commitment to mend bridges that will
help us connect with our neighbors, especially those with whom we disagree,
that we might find a greater sense of common purpose and a renewed commitment to work for peace.
God of us all, called by many names but never truly named,
We pray, on this sacred day, for all those men and women who have lost their lives through war and conflict. We consecrate their sacrifices for country and for companions.
We pray also for the families for whom this day will always bring challenges. We pray for their comfort and peace every day. Their loss and sacrifice will never be contained in a single day's remembrance.
We pray for the courage to see and to understand.
We pray also that this day will bring a commitment to mend bridges that will
help us connect with our neighbors, especially those with whom we disagree,
that we might find a greater sense of common purpose and a renewed commitment to work for peace.
A Maori greeting
This traditional Maori greeting was shared with me by Mike Doolan, who, in 2006 was transitioning from his position as senior fellow at the School of Social Work and Human Services of the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand to one with the American Human Association. I first heard him deliver the greeting at the International Conference on Family Group Decision Making.
E NGA MANUHIRI TUARANGI, HAEREMAI. HEREMAI KI TENEI MARAE ME KI TENEI HUI. HAEREMAI, HAEREMAI, HAEREMAI
To all of you who come from places far, welcome. Welcome to this place and to this gathering. Welcome, twice welcome, thrice welcome.
E TE WHARE ETU NEI, TENA KOE
First, I greet this building in which we meet together.
E TE MARAE E TAKU TONEI, TAKU TO, TAKU TO, TAKU TO
I greet the ground on which this place stands.
E TE IWI O TE MOTU, TENA KOUTOU. NGA MIHI NUI KIA KOUTOU, TENA KOUTOU, TENA KOUTOU, TENA KOUTOU
I greet the first owners of this land, those who have cared for and nurtured it since time began.
E NGA RANGITIRA MA KI TE WHANAU O AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATION, KIA ORA KOUTOU
I greet and acknowledge the mana (presitige) of those in charge of this event.
KARANGA MAI KI NGA TINI MATE KUA HAERA KI TE PO, HAERE NGA MATE, HAERE NGA MATE, HAERE NGA MATE
I acknowledge all of those who have gone before us - your ancestors and mine - from whom we draw strength and wisdom.
ET TE IWI ORA, TENA KOUTOU, TENA KOUTOU, KIA ORA KOUTOU KATOA
And finally to all of us here - the living - life, health and happiness.
E NGA MANUHIRI TUARANGI, HAEREMAI. HEREMAI KI TENEI MARAE ME KI TENEI HUI. HAEREMAI, HAEREMAI, HAEREMAI
To all of you who come from places far, welcome. Welcome to this place and to this gathering. Welcome, twice welcome, thrice welcome.
E TE WHARE ETU NEI, TENA KOE
First, I greet this building in which we meet together.
E TE MARAE E TAKU TONEI, TAKU TO, TAKU TO, TAKU TO
I greet the ground on which this place stands.
E TE IWI O TE MOTU, TENA KOUTOU. NGA MIHI NUI KIA KOUTOU, TENA KOUTOU, TENA KOUTOU, TENA KOUTOU
I greet the first owners of this land, those who have cared for and nurtured it since time began.
E NGA RANGITIRA MA KI TE WHANAU O AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATION, KIA ORA KOUTOU
I greet and acknowledge the mana (presitige) of those in charge of this event.
KARANGA MAI KI NGA TINI MATE KUA HAERA KI TE PO, HAERE NGA MATE, HAERE NGA MATE, HAERE NGA MATE
I acknowledge all of those who have gone before us - your ancestors and mine - from whom we draw strength and wisdom.
ET TE IWI ORA, TENA KOUTOU, TENA KOUTOU, KIA ORA KOUTOU KATOA
And finally to all of us here - the living - life, health and happiness.
Beatitudes for Justice Builders by Rev. Lindi Ramsden
Universalist Prayers: daily morning and evening meditations
Visit Rev. Naomi King's site for daily doses of inspiring words and images.