Daily Prayer/Meditation (Earth, virgin, America, prophet, eternal)

[Green Gaia]

Prayer for God's Guidance

Govern everything by your wisdom, O Lord, so that my soul may always be serving you
in the way you will
and not as I choose.
Let me die to myself so that I may serve you;
let me live to you who are life itself.
Amen.

- St. Teresa of Avila

Christian

[Green Gaia]

Cat Owner's Prayer


Because I'm only human,
It's sometimes hard to be
The wise, all-knowing creature
That my cat expects of me.

And so I pray for special help
To somehow understand
The subtle implications
Of each proud meowed command.

Oh, let me not forget that chairs
Were put on earth to shred;
And what I like to call a lap
Is actually a bed.

I know it's really lots to ask
But please, oh please, take pity;
And though I'm only human,
Make me worthy of my kitty!


- Author Unknown

Appropriate for many faiths

[Green Gaia]

Blessing Over Bread

Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, King of the universe who brings forth bread from the earth.

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam hamotzi lechem min ha-aretz.

Jewish

[Green Gaia]

Salutation to the Dawn


Look to this day!
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course
Lie all the verities and realities of your existence:
The bliss of growth;
The glory of action;
The splendor of achievement;
For yesterday is but a dream,
And tomorrow is only a vision;
But today, well lived, makes every yesterday
a dream of happiness,
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.


- Attributed to Kalidasa

Hindu, appropriate for many faiths

[Green Gaia]

Prayer for Freedom From Suffering


May all beings everywhere plagued
with sufferings of body and mind
quickly be freed from their illnesses.
May those frightened cease to be afraid,
and may those bound be free.
May the powerless find power,
and may people think of befriending
one another.
May those who find themselves in trackless,
fearful wilderness--
the children, the aged, the unprotected--
be guarded by beneficent celestials,
and may they swiftly attain Buddhahood.


- The Buddha

Buddhist

[Green Gaia]

For Calm and Comfort


With your soothing fingers,
wipe away the lines that worries have etched on our faces.
Surround us with calm,
let us rest in the glow of peace,
as if we were encircled with the Moon’s own light.
Let our concerns and tensions drain away from us,
pouring as water into your Earth.


- Ceisiwr Serith

Pagan

[Green Gaia]

Modeh Ani -- A Morning Prayer

I am thankful before You,
Living and Sustaining Ruler,
Who returned my soul to me with mercy.
Your faithfulness is great.

Modeh ani l'fanecha melech chai v'kayam sh'hechezarta bi nishmati b'chemla rabah emunatecha.

Jewish

[Green Gaia]

Breton Fisherman’s Prayer


Dear God, be good to me;
The sea is so wide,
And my boat is so small.