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| Mike Ghouse |
The Homeless Center for the Veterans held a luncheon in Dallas, and I was pleased to deliver the Islamic and Pluralistic benediction at the event. The Jewish Benediction was delivered by WWII Veteran Harry Kabler and Christian Benediction by Rachel Roberts.
The Pluralism Prayers covers most of the faiths including Atheists wishes. By the way, no matter where I get invited, I do make a point to represent as many religions as I can, at least ten in any given time.
The annual event was Organized by Teresa House-Hatfield, Director of the Center in Dallas, and the food was sponsored by the 256 Jewish Battalion.
URL: http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/11/veterans-homeless-luncheon-blessings.html
PICS: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157632016152185/show/
I was at the Veterans Day parade in Down Town Dallas the other day, and it was good to see the public support.
Now, I am pleased to share the Universal prayer, also known as the Pluralism prayers.
Dear creator, please accept our gratitude in every name we call upon you; Mahio, manito, Yahweh, Elohim, Ishwar, Buddha, Wahe Guru, Ahura Mazda, Mother Earth, Allah and Jesus Christ.
Thank you lord for enriching our nation, represented by different races, nationalities, ethnicities, orientations, languages, cultures, ideals and religions, we are your own country, a cosmic representation of your universe.
Dear causer of the Universe, in your name we want to create a cohesive and peaceful America with care, kindness and dignity to every one of the 312 million of us as well as 7 billion of us in the world.
Dear God, guide us to talk, act and believe that we are one humanity and one nation under you.
Dear God, as we undertake the mission of building cohesive societies, where no one has to live in apprehension of the other, we are painfully aware of the ignorance, fear, mistrust and ill-will that divides us, help us open our hearts and minds towards receiving each other.
Dear God, Protect our men and women in uniforms committed to our safety and well being.
Dear God, help us think, speak and act peace every moment of the day.
Dear God, guide us to value and practice the principles of liberty and justice for all of your creation, just as you treat us.
Dear God, give us your infinite wisdom and give us the courage to do the right thing, every moment of the day.
Dear God, help us learn to respect the otherness of other in each one of us, and help us accept the uniqueness you bestowed on each one of us.
In your precious name we bow.
Now the Muslim prayer
Al-Fatiha (The Opening)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace:
The Most Gracious, the Dispenser of Grace, Lord of the Day of Judgment!
Thee alone do we worship; and unto Thee alone do we turn for aid.
Guide us the straight way.
The way of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed Thy blessings,
Now, I render the same in Arabic.
بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيمِ (1:1)
الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ (1:2)
الرَّحْمـنِ الرَّحِيمِ (1:3)
مَـالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ (1:4)
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ (1:5)
اهدِنَــــا الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيمَ (1:6)
صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنعَمتَ عَلَيهِمْ غَيرِ المَغضُوبِ عَلَيهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ (1:7)
Amen!
God bless us, and God bless America.
MikeGhouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace making, foreign policy, Islam, interfaith, and cohesion at work place or social settings. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a strong presence on national local TV, Radio and Print Media, and is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News, fortnightly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes everything you want to know about him.