Constructing an Inclusive Public “Prayer” (all of these are easily modifyable)

• Seek the highest common denominator without compromise of conscience.
• Use forms and vocabulary that allow persons of different faiths to give assent to what is said.
• Use the language most widely understood by the audience, unless one purpose of the event is to express ethnic/cultural diversity, in which case multiple languages can be effective.
• Consider other creative alternatives, such as a moment of silence.
• Remain faithful to the purpose of giving thanks and that it is not used as an opportunity to preach, argue or testify.

Albert Einstein said “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” May we learn from yesterday's mistakes and challenges. Tonight may we live in the moment, taking joy in our meeting.

Hansell B. Duckett said, "What this country needs is more free speech worth listening to." Tonight let us learn to think, listen and speak so that our speech will not only be worth listening to, it will move the hearts and minds and souls of those listening.

Great Spirit and Creator,

We are grateful for food and will remember the hungry.

We are grateful for health, and will remember the sick.

We are grateful for friends, and will remember the friendless.

May these remembrances inspire us to service that your gifts may also be used for others. 

Creator, we ask that You look kindly on this gathering and grant us the wisdom to see events in their true perspective — not for ourselves or for merely material gain, but rather that we may learn in thought, and for the gain of all.

Let us incline our ears toward wisdom and apply our hearts to understanding; let us seek knowledge for the hope of finding understanding.

Creator, we give sincere thanks for this opportunity to meet together, and for the opportunity to become better acquainted with our fellow business associates.  May we listen to one another intently, with the purpose of bettering ourselves and our community.  May we humbly accept the responsibilities assigned to us.

May we carry out each of these responsibilities to the best of our capabilities. 

This assembly is composed of many old and fast friends, acquaintances of a very brief time, those who strive together, and some who have never met.

Permit no one to leave here a stranger, or less a person than when arriving.

Since each of us is a part of all we have ever witnessed, let what we have observed, be to Thy good and available to all.

There are those among us who have come many miles to share our day.  Grant that they may return safely to their homes and their families. 

“Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds”.

            Theodore Roosevelt

“…Help us make the most of this life we are living.  As we are about to partake of this bountiful meal, let us not forget the needy and the hunger they feel.  Help us to show compassion in all that we do, and for all our many blessings we say thank you.”

                        Helen Latham

“Focus on: the sanctity of human life, the dignity of humankind, the right of every human being to freedom and well-being” (124)

“Have respect for yourself; find respect for others; take responsibility for all your actions” (123)

“Character is what you are; reputation is what others think you are” (418)

Strengthen in us, Creator, the spirit of service and sacrifice.

Each of us is a minority, with respect to something. It might be race, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, or any other way we may be regarded as different. Each of us is also part of some majority. It is when we wear our majority hats that we need to be most mindful of how we treat others. We must pledge our best efforts to help one another, and to defend the rights of all of our citizens and residents.

• Offer a non-religious inspirational reading or poem that ties to the goals and mission of the event followed by a moment of silence
• Thank everyone for their contributions to the organization and ask for a moment of silence
• The following are examples of invocations that have been used at OSU events including commencement and convocations.  They can be reworded to reflect the specific community event, fundraiser, etc.

I.

For those who pray:  Please join me for the guided reflection, in recognition of the various values, beliefs, and faith traditions.

For a quiet moment, I invite you to express gratitude, for goals met, honors, and the gift of intellect, mentors, the support of family and friends, and a society that encourages and funds education.

Continuing, reflect with gratitude and ask for blessings, on the mission of the university and those given the public trust, the graduates, that they may use their knowledge, reason and skills to strive for peace, understanding and the common good.

II.

As we gather, recognizing our diversity in beliefs, values, faith traditions, but honoring our unity in gratitude, I invite you to reflect quietly on all that is yet to be while expressing thanks for: the gift of intellect, goals met, the support of family and friends, mentors, and a society that encourages and funds education.

Continuing to reflect with gratitude, ask for blessing on the mission of this university and for those given the public trust.  As we journey forth filled with knowledge and dreams let us continue to learn from our diversity, filled with compassion, to honor the peaceful, nurture the fragile, empower the impoverished, sensing wonder in the ordinary.

May the gratitude that we experience on this day of new beginnings be the focus for all that is to come.

III.

Sisters and Brothers, we gather on this grand day, understanding that we come from different places, hold different values, and cherish different beliefs.  Yet, today we are united in gratitude.

In a world where many cannot study, we are thankful for the achievements, degrees, and honors that we celebrate today.

In a world were many have no future, we are thankful for the dreams, hopes, and plans that have been nourished in the community of this institution.

In a world where many have no community, we are thankful for the support of mentors, teachers, family, and friends.

As we go on from this grand day, on different paths, to different experiences, and different destinies, may our gratitude unite us in the desire of using all that we are and all that we have for the common good so that reasons to be thankful will fill every life.

May our gratitude on this grand day grow into peace for each, and freedom to live, work, and serve throughout all our days.