Prayer of Six Directions to Set the Tone for Christian Unity Service

Representatives of several Christian faith communities in Albuquerque will gather at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church on Monday, January 20, at 7:00 p.m. to celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The gathering at Holy Rosary is one of two opportunities in Albuquerque for Christians of all denominations to join in common prayer and worship. Rev. Donna McNiel, executive director of the New Mexico Conference of Churches, will will deliver the sermon at the Monday service, while Rev. John Hill, Pastor of Grant Chapel African Episcopal Methodist Church, will be the homilist at the Friday service at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church at 7:00 p.m.

The service at Holy Rosary will begin with a procession, a song and greeting from the pastor at the host church, followed by an adaptation of the Prayer of Six Directions. 

Pastor: The indigenous peoples of North America honor an ancient ritual of praying while facing in different directions. With them, let us unite in prayer, facing each of the directions as indicated.

Facing East
Leader: From the east, the direction of the rising sun, we receive peace and light and wisdom and knowledge.
Congregation: We are grateful for these gifts, O God.

Facing South
Leader: From the South comes the rain, purifying waters to sustain all living things.
Congregation: We are grateful for these gifts, O God.

Facing West
Leader: From the West come warmth, guidance, and the beginning and end of life.
Congregation: We are grateful for these gifts, O God.

Facing North
Leader: From the North come the cold and mighty wind and the white snows, giving us strength and endurance.
Congregation:We are grateful for these gifts, O God.

Turning towards the congregation and facing upward
Leader: From the heavens we receive darkness and light and the air of your breath.
Congregation:We are grateful for these gifts, O God.

Facing downward
Leader: From the earth we come and to the earth we will return.
Congregation: We are grateful, O God, for your good creation, our earthly home.

Leader: May we walk good paths, blessed God, living on this earth as brothers and sisters should: rejoicing in one another’s blessings, sympathizing in one another’s sorrows, and, together with you, in the name of Jesus and with the Spirit’s awakening breath, renewing the face of the earth.
Congregation: Amen.