Brother Martin has offered alternative Introductory Prayers, based on the Psalms, which can be recited privately, for friends and oblates who cannot follow the usual introductory prayers.
Brother Martin has also composed a prayer inspired by the Lord’s Prayer.
INTRODUCTORY PRAYER
Leader: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
All : Amen
Leader: O God, you are my God,
All: For you I long,
For you my soul is thirsting,
My body pines for you
Like a dry weary land without water,
So I gaze on you in the sanctuary,
To see your strength and glory
Leader: O God, be gracious and bless us
All: O God, be gracious and bless us
And let your face shed its light upon us
Show us the path of life
The fullness of joy in your presence.
Leader: I will bless God at all times
All: I will bless God at all times.
His praise continuously on my lips.
I will praise God from my heart
Let the humble hear and rejoice.
Leader: O Lord, bestow your grace upon us
All: O Lord, bestow your grace upon us,
That we may know you,
We may love you,
We may serve you in all our life,
And be with you forever and ever.
Leader: Our Father in heaven,
All: Hollowed be thy name,
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us from our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And Lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
Amen.
Leader: Hail Mary, Full of grace,
All: The Lord is with you,
Blessed are you among women
And blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us,
Now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Leader: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
All: From age to age and forever. Amen.
PRAYER
by Brother John Martin Sahajananda
(based on the Lord’s Prayer)
O God, Source and foundation of my being!
Thank you for the gift of my life!
I realize that my body belongs to the process of evolution
But my consciousness is the reflection of your eternal spirit
Breathed into my earthen vessel!
Thus I bear within me your seed, your image and likeness!
You are Fullness so also my nature is fullness!
You are Eternal so also my nature is eternal!
You are Free so also my nature is free!
You Unfold creation so also my nature is to unfold life!
But your nature is independent
And my nature is dependent on you!
You have manifested me to ‘be fruitful and multiply’,
To manifest your attributes of love and compassion in my relationships!
Help me to live according my vocation
And never to forget my dignity!
Provide for me all my daily needs,
Physical, psychological and spiritual
Forgive me for the wounds I have caused to others
So that I may forgive those who have wounded me!
Do not put me in a situation
Where I may fail to manifest my dignity!
Take me beyond the conflict of good and evil!
And help me to live harmoniously with everyone and everything!
May my will become your will!
May my actions become your actions!
May my desires become your desires!
May my children become your children!
Amen.
Brother John Martin Sahajananda