All in Good Faith

Author(s): Jean Potter, Marcus Braybrooke
Publisher: World Congress of Faiths

Page 75

All in Good Faith
However, although it is hoped that these will be useful, they are there only for guidance, and those planning such services may prefer to find other contributions on the agreed theme from
their own traditions.
Many groups used the annual One World Week theme while others had found that a specific world event such as the Gulf War or Bosnia had provided the theme and reason for their wish to come together to pray.
Many groups also found visible and tangible symbols, such as light, water, flowers etc a unifying force, useful as a focal point and an aid to meditation.
In some cases the occasion was mainly one of silence broken by contributions of speech and song. Silence was felt to be a way of overcoming many problems, and engendered a spiritual fellowship. As one group put it, 'In silence we transcend language'.
It was felt that this form of prayer can be an open and honest attempt to support each other in faith, and some people found that such an experience broadened and deepened their own faith. Again, others found that such an event was a catalyst which opened people to inter
faith sharing and its spirit.
The organisers of such an occasion should, however, be aware of the danger of it becoming a show piece or a 'performance'.
Such a form of service, with prayers, readings from Holy Books and other writings (e.g. Kahil Gibran), meditation and music according to a theme, had been used by groups during One World Week and the Week of Prayer for World Peace.
Coming to pray together
Fewer groups had 'come to pray together' or hold events with an agreed common order and content in which it was hoped everyone would feel able to participate. Those groups which had embarked upon such an event said that it was most important to ensure that representatives of all the faith communities involved took part in the planning from the very beginning. Some groups felt that the very act of preparation, when people of different faiths need to be completely honest with one another, and accept what others have to say in a spirit of learning and humility, created a greater spirit of fellowship. But the need for very careful
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