HOW TO WRITE A PRAYER IN THE SPIRIT OF RELIGIOUS NATURALISM?

Rabbi Rifat Sonsino, Ph.D

For me, prayers represent our hopes and expectations. They help us identify and clarify our needs- for ourselves and those we care about. In formulating these, we need to pay attention to some details:

1. Instead of addressing God, we need to invoke God, who, I maintain, is the energy of the universe. God does not “listen” to our pleas.

2.    In expressing our wishes, we need to be realistic and not ask for “miracles” which will not happen just because we need them. God works in line with natural laws.

3.     In formulating our expectations, we need to indicate what we are willing to do ourselves in trying to achieve our goals.

4.     It is always appropriate to praise God and express gratitude for everything we have or have achieved.

5.     The answer to prayer comes as we face the future with openness, with clarity of mind and realistic expectations.  

Here is an example of a prayer for healing, written in the spirit of religious naturalism:

 We invoke God, the energy of the universe, and express our gratitude for every moment we experience good health and wellbeing, and our hope for a speedy recovery. We also think of our friends and relatives who are in pain. In particular, we think of…..(names here). We hope that they will be restored to good health, both physical and spiritual, in due time. We want them to know that we are thinking of them and will keep them in our mind continually. May we continue to enjoy their company in better times. And for those with a terminal illness, we hope they will have the strength to leave life without much suffering and with a gentle touch of peace.

Amen.