Bridge to the Sacred: A Collection of Interfaith Prayers: 200 Prayers and Meditations Chosen from the World’s Religions

By L.E. McCullough and Rev. Elizabeth Bansavage

Bridge to the Sacred: A Collection of Interfaith Prayers presents 200 prayers and meditations for daily renewal chosen from faiths around the globe … prayers from across the centuries seeking to encourage the Divine in our human world.

The prayers are organized by everyday concerns — 40 topics from Adversity to Wisdom — and range from brief mantras to mini-homilies, from ancient chants to modern encomiums.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jan 8, 2016
• ISBN: 9780997037104

Book preview

Adversity

HEAR me who am trembling in this darkness.

Stretch forth Thy hand unto me!

Hold forth Thy Light before me.

— St. Augustine (354-430)

RESTORE unto me the joy of Thy salvation and uphold me with Thy free spirit.

— Psalm 51, The Bible

GOD, who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day, defend us in the same with Thy mighty power.

— Book of Common Prayer (Episcopalian)

OUR Lord! Impose not on us that which we have not the strength to bear, grant us forgiveness and have mercy on us. You are our Protector. Help us against those who deny the truth.

— The Qur’an

REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided.

Inspired with this confidence, I fly to you, O virgin of virgins, my Mother.

To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.

— St. Bernard (1090-1153)

Anger

MAY I be no man’s enemy, and may I be the friend of that which is eternal and abides.

May I never quarrel with those nearest me, and if I do, may I be reconciled quickly.

May I love, seek and attain only that which is good.

May I wish for all men’s happiness and envy none.

May I never rejoice in the ill-fortune of one who has wronged me.

When I have done or said what is wrong, may I never wait for the rebuke of others,

But always rebuke myself until I make amends.

May I win no victory that harms either me or my opponent.

May I respect myself.

May I always keep tame that which rages within me.

May I accustom myself to be gentle and never be angry with people because of circumstances.

May I never discuss who is wicked and what wicked things he has done,

But know good men and follow in their footsteps.

— St. Eusebius (3rd century CE)

GIVE us, Lord, a humble, quiet, peaceable, patient, tender and charitable mind … and in all our thoughts, words and deeds, a taste of the Holy Spirit.

— St. Thomas More (1478-1535)

O MOST meek Jesus, Prince of Peace, who when Thou wast reviled, didst not revile, and on the Cross didst pray for Thy murderers: implant in our hearts the virtues of gentleness and patience, that, restraining the fierceness of anger, impatience and resentment, we may overcome evil with good, for Thy sake love our enemies, and as children of our heavenly Father, seek Thy peace and evermore rejoice in Thy love.

— Catholic Prayer

IF you focus on reducing the amount of tension in yourself, you will automatically reduce the amount of tension in those around you.

If you allow anger to possess you to the extent that you are oblivious to the harm you are inflicting upon yourself as well as others, you are certainly confused.

— Confucius (551-479 BCE), The Analects

DO not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written:

It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord.

On the contrary, If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

— Romans 12: 19-21, The Bible

Charity

DEAREST Lord, teach me to be generous,

teach me to serve You as I should,

to give and not to count the cost,

to fight and not to heed the wounds,

to toil and not to seek for rest,

to labour and ask not for reward,

save that of knowing that I do Your most holy will.

— St. Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556)

LORD, may I abound in hope, joy and love.

Inflame my heart with love for You and Your ways

And with charity and compassion for my neighbor.

May there be nothing in my life which keeps me from Your love.

— Author Unknown

WHERE there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance.

Where there is patience and humility, there is neither anger nor vexation.

Where there is poverty and joy, there is neither greed nor avarice.

Where there is peace and meditation, there is neither