TULSA INTERFAITH ALLIANCE
SUGGESTED GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC PRAYER
When faith leaders or others are asked to deliver
invocations,
benedictions or other kinds of prayers at events that include publics
of diverse religious convictions, they may have difficulty finding
language that is truthful and meaningful for them yet respectful of all
in their audience. Tulsa Interfaith Alliance prepared these guidelines
to help choose the words that can bring people together in a moment of
shared spiritual statement.
Purpose – Use this moment as an opportunity to:
1. Ask Divine Guidance in a manner that binds rather
than divides those present to a common concern.
2. Lift the vision of those attending to more
authentic purposes, such as promoting leadership and service in the
common good.
3. Demonstrate to a religiously diverse audience
that they have much in common that they can affirm together.
4. Expand the audience’s appreciation and respect for other religious
faiths.
Language – Choose words that:
1. Enable all faiths to give assent: "peace,"
"compatibility," "understanding," "awareness," "sensitivities,"
"cooperation."
2. Appeal to our better nature and avoid individual
and divisive
appeals: "respect," "friendship," "accord," "harmony," "amity,"
"empathy," "neighbors," "community," "fellow citizens."
3. Avoid sectarian references to religious leaders
such as Mohammad, Jesus, Vishnu, Moses, Buddha, etc.
4. Avoid language and code words which may foster
confusion and
misunderstanding: "Blessed be the name of…," "when the rapture comes,"
"pagan," "idolater," "blaspheme," "non-believers."
Leaders – When selecting speakers:
1. Decide whether it would be more effective to
utilize one
interfaith prayer or several shorter prayers from different faith
traditions.
2. Make sure those asked to pray understand the
nature and diversity
of the audience. Stress the importance of warm understanding and that
this is not a time to enter upon theological debates nor an opportunity
for proselytizing.
3. If the available leaders feel inadequate to the
task, suggest the
power and eloquence of an appropriate period of silence. This may be
particularly appropriate with non-clergy unaccustomed to such public
assignments.
4. Always provide a way in which the person selected
has a graceful
way of declining if they feel the above principles may compromise their
conscience or religious convictions. To facilitate this, consider
identifying at least one backup candidate.
