Press Release

Worldwide Worship Prayers, Songs, and Poetry Edited by John Marks Templeton For Immediate Release Contact: Sharon Kelly Tel. (484) 531-8380 Email: publicity@templetonpress.org Thursday, June 01, 2000

Prayers, Songs, and Poetry from diverse cultures and religions

O sun, as you rise in the east through God's leadership,
Wash away all the evils of which I have thought throughout the night.
Bless me, so that my enemies will not kill me and my family;
Guide me through hard work.
O God, give me mercy upon our children who are suffering:
Bring riches today as the sun rises;
Bring all fortunes to me today.

In Kenya the old men of the Abaluyia people say this morning prayer, where the sun is a symbol of God's perpetual presence.

Prayers, songs, and poetry from diverse cultures and religions, from current times and past centuries, from saints and Scriptures, from Native Americans, renowned poets, and Anonymous, have been collected by John Marks Templeton and are presented in Worldwide Worship (Templeton Foundation Press, $24.95 hardcover).

The selections, individually and as a whole, reaffirm the universality of the human spirit. A bound-in ribbon book-mark encourages readers to pause as they reflect on the teachings, solace, and rejoicing of these timeless tributes to God. A first line index, key-word index, and author index guide those looking for specific selections. The collection of prayers includes one from the Pygmies of the Congo, describing God as an eternal spirit. There are prayers from e.e. cummings, Robert Frost, and Kahlil Gibran, and from Saint Francis of Assisi; from Native Americans, the Irish, Egyptians, and Hindus.

There are prayers for children, for a day full of blessings, for love, forgiveness, guidance, and knowledge. From all over the world, across the ages, prayer connects people to God, His purposes, and one another. The assemblage of hymns, including many scores, are drawn from sacred and secular music. There is the Hymn of Origin (over 3000 years old), a Jewish hymn from the time of the Second Temple (c. 516 B.C.-A.D. 70), hymns written by the Shakers, hymns that will be familiar and hymns from other worlds and times. There is prose as well—the thoughts of poets, writers, and artists, known and unknown, coming together in praise and worship.

Many of the selections in Worldwide Worship express the concept of humility in theology, says John Marks Templeton. The thoughts of people from various cultures and religious perspectives present the message that God is always ready to radiate love and guidance. And being open to learning about the cultural and religious traditions of people whose beliefs may differ from ours can help us see there are many valid paths to the Divine.

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