The Woman's Book of Prayer. Becca Anderson

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      So free am I, so gloriously free

      Free from three petty things—

      From mortar, from pestle, and from my twisted lord,

      Freed from rebirth and death I am,

      And all that has held me down is hurled away.

      —Mutta, Sixth Century Buddhist Poet

      76

      Women of Colour

      our backs

      tell stories

      no books have

      the spine to

      carry

      —rupi kaur

      77

      Not Only Our Daughters

      God of Our Mothers and Fathers: We pray for a world where not only our daughters can go to school but where all daughters can get an education. And we pray for a world where not only our daughters have the right to determine what happens to their bodies but where all daughters have self-determination. We pray for a world where not only our daughters are protected from harassment and violence but where no one’s daughter is subjected to these things. And we pray for a world where not only our daughters are brought up to believe that they can pursue any career they wish but where all daughters are taught to believe this. We pray for a world where not only our daughters can dress according to their standard of what is appropriate but where everyone’s daughter can do so. And we pray for a world where not only our daughters can have the basic freedom to drive a car and travel independently but where these things are recognized as fundamental rights for all human beings. We pray for a world where not only our daughters will be valued for logic more than looks, but where everyone’s daughter will be valued this way. And we pray for a world where not only our daughters but everyone’s daughter will have the right to vote and the chance to serve in public office. We pray for a world where not only our daughters but all daughters will have an equal voice, earn equal pay, and experience equal rights. And we pray that not only our daughters but everyone’s daughter will be treated with dignity, civility, and respect. May this be our blessing, their blessing, and everyone’s blessing. As men and women together let us say: Amen.

      —Rabbi Wirschafter

      78

      The Wisdom of Deep Listening

      Our Aboriginal culture has taught us to be still and to wait.

      We do not try to hurry things up.

      We let them follow their natural course—like the seasons.

      We watch the moon in each of its phases.

      We wait for the rain to fill our rivers and water the thirsty earth…

      We wait on God, too.

      His time is the right time.

      We wait for him to make his Word clear to us.

      We don’t worry.

      We know that in time and in the spirit of dadirri

      (that deep listening and quiet stillness)

      his way will be clear.

      —Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann,

      Aboriginal Artist & Teacher

      79

      Plea for Intercession

      O St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong,

      so prompt before the Throne of God,

      I place in you all my interests and desires.

      O St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession

      and obtain for me from your Divine Son

      all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord;

      so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power

      I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage

      to the most Loving of Fathers.

      O St. Joseph, I never weary [of] contemplating you

      and Jesus asleep in your arms.

      I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart.

      Press him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me,

      and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath.

      St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls,

      pray for us.

      Amen.

      —Prayer to St. Joseph, 100 AD

      80

      Love and Friendship toward All Beings

      O Lord! Make myself such that I may have love for all beings,

      Joy in the meritorious, unstinted sympathy for the distressed,

      And tolerance towards the perversely inclined.

      O Lord! May my soul always find fulfillment, in friendship and love towards all beings,

      In all the virtuous, in compassion toward all suffering creatures,

      And in remaining neutral towards those hostile to me.

      This is my prayer.

      —Ancient Jain Blessing

      81

      Universal World Entreaty

      Beloved, Inmost Heart of every heart,

      do not Let our human hearts be broken

      by our merely mortal suffering here—

      but Make our mortal human hearts break Free

      to an unconditional love of You,

      that we may Thus love all living beings

      with Love’s own True, and Truly broken, Heart.

      —Ruchira Avatar

      82

      Prayer to Start the Day

      O Infinite God, of life, goodness, and generous

      love, I dedicate my heart, my life, to you.

      Help me to cherish all human life

      and do the good you want me to do.

      Make me a loving example of your generous love

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