Recommendations and Guidelines for Inclusive Public Prayer

Inclusive public prayer in a pluralistic society is effective when the person leading the prayer is sensitive to the diversity of all gathered. Those who lead general community prayers have a responsibility to be clear about the public nature of the occasion and respectful of the mix of the audience.

• Prayer on behalf of the entire community is most honoring of all peoples' faith traditions when listeners from a wide range of religious practices can easily share the experience and when the language is accessible and non-offensive.
• Inclusive public prayer is non-sectarian, general, and carefully planned to respect the ground that diverse faith traditions have in common.
• An intentional effort to pray using universal, inclusive language helps to bridge the gap among faith traditions:

  For example: Using opening language about God like: Source of All Being, Creator and Sustainer, Our Maker, and Almighty God, or using closing words like, Hear our Prayer, May Goodness Flourish, In the Name of All we Hold Sacred, or simply, Amen, can help to frame the prayer so that those gathered can affirm their personal tradition and still participate in a community expression of reverence.

• Inclusive public prayer remains faithful to the purpose of acknowledging Divine Presence, giving thanks, and seeking blessing, and is not used as a forum to preach, persuade, or testify.