INTERFAITH PRAYER SERVICE FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS�WHO DIED HOMELESS AMONGST US�
CALL TO PRAYER -- The Mourners’ Kaddish
(Traditional Jewish Prayer for the Deceased)
Exalted and hallowed be God’s great name
in the world which God created, according to plan.
May God’s majesty be revealed in the days of our lifetime
and the life of all Israel — speedily, imminently,
To which we say: Amen.
Blessed be God’s great name to all eternity.
Blessed, praised, honored, exalted,
extolled, glorified, adored, and lauded
be the name of the Holy Blessed One,
beyond all earthly words and songs of blessing, praise, and comfort.
To which we say: Amen.
May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us and all Israel.
To which we say: Amen.
May the One who creates harmony on high, bring peace to us and to all Israel.
To which we say: Amen.
HYMN -- Open My Eyes
(Contemporary Catholic Christian Hymn)
Open My Eyes Lord,
Help me to see your face
Open My Eyes Lord,
Help me to see.
Open my ears Lord
Help me to hear your voice
Open my ears Lord
Help me to hear.
Open my heart Lord,
Help to love like you
Open my heart lord,
Help me to love
A Reading from the Bhagavad Gita (traditional text at Hindu funerals)
(2:20-25)
The soul is neither born, nor does it ever die; nor having once existed, does it ever cease to be… The soul is without birth, eternal, immortal, and ageless. It is not destroyed when the body is destroyed. As a person sheds worn-out garments and wears new ones, likewise, at the time of death, the soul casts off its worn-out body and enters a new one… | The soul is unbreakable and incombustible; it can neither be dampened nor dried. It is everlasting, in all places, unalterable, immutable, and primordial... Knowing this, you should not grieve for the body. |
Reading of the Names of our Deceased Brothers and Sisters
PRAYER OF SUPPLICATION – Dua of Ibn Majah, Abu Dawud 3/211
(Traditional Prayer at Muslim Funerals)
O Allah, surely they are under Your protection, and in the rope of Your security, so save them from the trial of the grave and from the punishment of the Fire. You fulfill promises and grant rights, so forgive them and have mercy on them. Surely You are Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Native Apache Blessing for those who Grieve
May the sun bring you new energy every day,
Bringing light into the darkness of your soul.
May the moon softly restore you
by night bathing you in the glow
of restful sleep and peaceful dreams.
May the rain wash away your worries,
and cleanse the hurt that sits in your heart.
May the breeze blow new strength into your being,
and may you believe in the courage of yourself.
May your walk gently through the world
keeping your loved one with you always
knowing that you are never parted in the beating of your heart.
CLOSING PRAYER – Hail Holy Queen
(Traditional Catholic Prayer at times of Sorrow and Distress)
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy,
our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious Advocate,
thine eyes of mercy towards us.
And after this, our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Pray for us O Holy Mother of God,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen