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RESPONSIVE READING
[The leaders read from the four corners of the chapel: East from the eastern corner, South from left of the entrance, West from the western corner, North from the lectern, and Earth from the center. Leaders should take their positions before they need to begin reading, so there are no pauses in the prayer.]
PRAYER TO THE FOUR WINDS
THE EAST
L
C
L.
C
L
C
L
C
THE SOUTH
L
C
L
C
L
All in Good Faith
John-Brian Paprock
We greet you, O Spirit of the East. You usher in the dawn on your breeze; you stretch forth your fingers and paint our skies.
C
[CONGREGATION STANDING]
Awaken in us with each new day, new hopes, new dreams of colours, love and joys never before imagined.
Fill our bodies with your breath; invigorate us. Carry us to the farthest mountains and beyond.
In-spirit us that we might reach out to you boldly to grasp the miracles that are given birth with each new dawn.
THE WEST
Bibi Bagchi
We greet you, Spirit of the South. You bring the winds of summer and breathe on us the warmth of the sun to soothe and heal our bodies and our spirits.
You thaw and soften the coldness of our world; you nudge the seedlings to break through the soil to light.
Quicken us, draw us by the urgings of your warm breath to break through the soil of our own barrenness and fear.
Drive our roots deep into the earth and stretch our branches full out into the sky.
Teach us to hold sacred the memory of the spring rains that we might have the strength to withstand the heat of the day, and not become parched and narrow in our
love.
Lead us to accept fatigue with resignation, knowing that life is not to be rushed, that there is no flower of the field that grows from seed to blossoms in a single day.
Eunice Chagnon
We greet you, Spirit of the West.
You cool our hot tired bodies, refresh and bring laughter to our hearts. usher in the setting sun.
It is you who
It is by your power that the sun hangs suspended for endless moments before you catch it with your breath and carry it off into the night.
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Guide our steps at the end of the day; keep us safe from evil. Fill us with your peace as you enfold us with your great mystery of night that we might rest securely in your arms until morning calls us forth again.
