Today I am especially grateful for my health, because I am in the final days of recuperation from a bout with pneumonia that began a month ago. I have never been so sick for such a long time, and the experience gave me a little insight into what it's like to live with a chronic illness. I also found out what it's like to be the recipient of many prayers and lots of love and healing energy. My husband took care of me for three weeks, making sure I drank enough liquids and ate when I had no appetite, taking me to the doctor, listening to my lungs, taking my pulse, reassuring me that I wasn't going to die, as well as managing all the chores that are usually mine, shoveling snow, and taking care of the grandchildren. My children sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers and messages of love. And then there were the dozens of Facebook friends who sent me good wishes for healing, and promised to pray for me.
Among my Facebook friends are friends, acquaintances, and relatives, some who share my political and world views, and some who do not. Some of them like to argue with me on issues we disagree about. But ALL of them sent me love and wishes for healing when I was sick. This made me think how prayers for healing and well-being can serve as a bridge between people of differing opinions and values. No matter what your political or religious persuasion may be, you probably realize that humanity and the earth itself, are in great need of healing.
I like to think that many of my readers participate in prayers for the healing of our world and our race. If we pray that God's will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, we can trust that the results will be good. Whether you are of a particular religion or no religion, you can add your thoughts and energy to help bring about the healing that is so sorely needed.
Here are a few samples to use for guidance as we seek healing for our planet and its people:
Grandfather,
Sacred one,
Teach us love, compassion,
and honor.
That we may heal the earth
And heal each other.
- Ojibway Prayer
We gently caress you, the Earth, our planet and our home.
Our vision has brought us closer to you, making us aware of the harm we have done to the life-network upon which we ourselves depend.
We are reminded that we have poisoned your waters, your lands, your air.
We have filled you with the bones of our dead from war and greed.
Your pain is our pain.
Touching you gently, we pray that we may become peace-bringers and life-bringers so that our home in its journey around the Sun not become a sterile and lonely place.
May this prayer and its power last forever.
- Sensei Ulrich, Manitoba Buddhist Temple
O Lord, you love justice and you establish peace on earth.
We bring before you the disunity of today’s world;
the absurd violence, and the many wars,
which are breaking the courage of the peoples of the world;
human greed and injustice,
which breed hatred and strife.
Send your spirit and renew the face of the earth;
teach us to be compassionate towards the whole human family;
strengthen the will of all those
who fight for justice and for peace,
and give us that peace which the world cannot give.
- Ecumenical Centre Prayer
May the winds, the oceans, the herbs, and night and days, the mother earth,
the father heaven, all vegetation, the sun, be all sweet to us.
Let us follow the path of goodness for all times,
like the sun and the moon moving eternally in the sky.
Let us be charitable to one another.
Let us not kill or be violent with one another.
Let us know and appreciate the points of view of others. And let us unite.
- Hindu Prayer
Send Thy peace, O Lord, which is perfect and everlasting,
that our souls may radiate peace.
Send Thy peace, O Lord, that we may think, act,
and speak harmoniously.
Send Thy peace, O Lord, that we may be contented
and thankful for Thy bountiful gifts.
Send Thy peace, O Lord, that amidst our worldly strife
we may enjoy thy bliss.
Send Thy peace, O Lord, that we may endure all,
tolerate all in the thought of thy grace and mercy.
Send Thy peace, O Lord, that our lives may become a
divine vision, and in Thy light all darkness may vanish.
Send Thy peace, O Lord, our Father and Mother, that we
Thy children on earth may all unite in one family.
- Sufi Prayer
We pray for all who come here this evening.
Although differences in thought and belief divide us,
let the desire to serve you,
the love of truth
and the pursuit of holiness unite us.
Strengthen the spirit of friendship
among people of various faiths
and increase mutual understanding between us.
We look to a time
when greater knowledge of you and your word
shall bind all who serve you
into one holy fellowship.
- Liberal Jewish Prayer Book
These prayers and many more can be found on the World Healing Prayers page.
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