Enable them to draw upon the wisdom and experience of yesterday as they respond to the questions and concerns of tomorrow. First, let us think of the people we are with today, and make the most of the pleasure of sharing food and drink together. Please send help to those who are hungry, alone, sick, and suffering war and violence. We ask you to guide us as we read Scripture, talk about your goodness, and encourage one another in the faith. Enable us to acquire and understand the accurate information we need and its implications, so we can make informed decisions. For an example of a secular invocation that is inclusive, although given by someone identified as representing a humanist viewpoint, read this article by Herb Silverman. Through our invocation prayers, we corporately come to God humbly, with reverence and praise, invite Him to purify our hearts and align them with His eternal purposes, and invite His presence. We are gathered today, both religious and secular members of our community, with the shared belief that we must treat our fellow human beings with respect and dignity. Thank you for our health, our work and our play. 21 Oct 2015 | Posted by Military.com. PRAYERS OF INVOCATION (Opening) Almighty God, in whom we live and move and have our being, we come into Your presence in . May your presence be the extra taste to this meal which we eat in the name of your son, Jesus. What better way to honor the Lord than to open our gatherings, meetings, celebrations, and services with prayer? But most of all for those we love. In preparing today's invocation, I was reminded that several men of science, including Ben Franklin, Albert Einstein, and Steven Hawking all believe in the Blessed are you for giving us family and friends to be with us in times of joy and sorrow, to help us in days of need, and to rejoice with us in moments for celebration. As we partake of this food, we pray for health and strength to carry on and try to live as You would have us. Help us to grow in your love, and work with you to build up the kingdom of God. Amen. 1. What divides us is not so much our religious differences in this diverse country, but the degree of commitment we have to equal freedom of conscience for all people. Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. - Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, A Book of Blessings, 271. Expressing gratitude for the food and appreciation of the company is all that is needed. May this drink restore our souls, giving new vision to dry spirits, new warmth to cold hearts. Even when such religious commencements make an effort to include people of all faiths they may exclude people with no religion. May this drink restore our souls, giving new vision to dry spirits, new warmth to cold hearts. Direct our thoughts, words, decisions, and actions toward the right path and help us stay on track. Amen. Understanding of Objectives Prayer God of truth, enlighten us now as we meet together so that we each have a clear understanding of the issues we need to discuss. We thank you for this university which embodies Jesuit and Catholic values and which provides an educational opportunity that transforms minds and hearts. There are dozens of beautiful ways to give thanks. But there are also some longer or more formal wordings. When I have a home, help me to remember those who have no home at all. Photo Credit: Getty Images/Foxys_forest_manufacture. Colossians 3:23 says, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord As we observe the many accomplishments of our honorees, we acknowledge that none of it would be possible without you. Please guide us, Lord. Thank you for the friends and family who came to support and encourage these individuals. For those who hear us pray and are beginning to seek the Lord, When I have been asked to pray for a public meeting, I have kept my main focus, Teach your teens and older children these facts so they want to be porn free. And let us each one be good company to the others; Amen - Samuel F. Pugh. Not sure what to pray for? God, we love You and we gather to carry out the tasks that You have given us in order to fulfill our purpose. The next prayer reminds us that the origins of our food lie in the wonderous creative hand of God, fashioning " so many tastes and textures, colours and aromas ". 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8, 13. May their devotion to You enable them to easily bear the mantle of leadership bestowed upon them. Then one person gently squeezes the hands of the people seated adjacent; this signal is quickly passed around the table and people then begin to eat and talk. Reveal problem areas and show us the best solutions that will apply. This day of celebration is a blessing from you. Please submit one here: Submit a Prayer, To provide feedback, please email: jesuitresource@xavier.edu. Help us to tackle all the topics we need to discuss, come up with excellent solutions, and leave this meeting inspired and on time. We ask that you would guide and direct that we have been given. For Hard Times For Financial Prosperity For Physical Health For Emotional Health For Protection For a Marriage For Babies and Pregnancy For Family For Spiritual Warfare For Spiritual Health For a Death For the Workplace For Bedtime, Bible Commentary Bible Verses Devotionals Faith Prayers Coloring Pages Pros and Cons, 40 Encouraging Bible Scriptures on Resisting Temptation, Ephesians 6:4 Meaning of Do Not Exasperate Your Children, 50 Biblically Accurate Facts About Angels in the Bible, 50 Most Profitable Youth Group Fundraising Ideas for Your Church, 250 Ice Breaker Questions for Teen Youth Groups, 25 Important Examples of Pride in the Bible, Why Jesus Wept and 11 Lessons from His Tears, 25 Different Ways to Worship God and Praise the Lord. Help us have fun, yet productive discussions that will broaden our perspective. In fact, a godless grace can be very moving: it allows time for reflection and thanks focused on this world, appreciating the value of nature and acknowledging the human effort which went into bringing food, family and friends together for a meal. 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Bless us, Lord Jesus, and stir our hearts to remember You in all we do. - Author Unknown. Please rest in this warm house that we may come to know each other. - John Wesley. That is my religion. Come and reveal Your will in every aspect of our life and ministry. When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer. Lord, bless this food and grant that we may thankful for thy mercies be; teach us to know by whom we're fed; bless us with Christ, the living bread. for our dedication and the binding cords between us. and for all the good memories we share. - Harry Jewell. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. We rarely get the chance to bring everyone together, so we do not take it for granted. Find opening prayers for the following types of events in this article below: What better way to honor the Lord than to open our gatherings, meetings, celebrations, and services with prayer? This we pray, in Jesus Name, Amen. I pray that we meditate on Your law day and night so that we can be blessed in our meetings, let Your law be evident in our meetings also so that we can prosper. May each member of this team feel valued, and may we each recognize the skill sets and knowledge that each person brings to the table. We are privileged to come together today on a happy occasion, in which we celebrate the particularly wonderful human beings we call our children, our students, our friends. Invocation in Honour of the Five Wounds of Our Lord - O good Jesus, within Thy wounds hide me. Dear earth who gives to us this food, Dear sun who makes it ripe and good, Sun above and earth below, Our loving thanks to you we show. We acknowledge You in all our ways, and in all our meetings, so that You will direct our paths. We are grateful that they and their families entrusted Xavier's faculty and staff to engage them intellectually, morally, and spiritually. We give thanks for life, the freedom to enjoy it all, and all other blessings. Opening prayer for a high school graduation. I pray that You intervene in this meeting, let it work for our good and for the good of the church. Amen. - Christian mealtime prayer. We thank you for families that offer emotional, financial, and spiritual support. Forgive us for moments when weve forgotten to put you first. Help us to stick to the agenda and not get distracted with discussions that arent pertinent to our objectives. Your Word says in Colossians 3:17, And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Thank you for blessing our time together. Lions Prayer. And let us thank all whose efforts have set them before us; We must hold firmly to our unity, borne forward now not of tragedy but of loving kindness. First, the Republican: (an invocation prayer) Almighty God, Thank you for your love, risen from the grave and freely offered for us all. We also give thanks for our friends and family who have traveled here today. I gave the invocation at the installation banquet for the Board of Directors for the Greater Hammond Chamber of Commerce this week which was made more meaningful because I was one of the people being sworn in as an advisory member of the board. May all be healed. God, as we begin this meeting, we ask that you would guide our thoughts and our actions so that we may have a successful meeting today. Help us to be innovative as we brainstorm solutions. This we. These prayers evoke a spirit of thankfulness and can be a good inspiration for your dinner prayer on Thanksgiving or any day. You have inspired us with your creativity, displayed throughout this ever-evolving universe and echoed in the varied academic achievements of the students we honor in this convocation. Then, let us think of the people who made the food and drink and brought it to us, who serve us and wait on us, and who clear up and clean up after us. You have given us willing hearts and a desire to proclaim the name of Jesus through word and deed. May 1, 2016 / Mitchell Lewis. This page has six simple prayers for giving thanks before meals. Father, we do not rely on ourselves for effective results for we are only human and often make mistakes. The principles of our country are not based on God. Loving God, bless all those gathered here today as we come together in friendship and fellowship. Lord, You are the God of life that sustains every moment of our being. Prayer to Do Good in Gods Kingdom Oh Lord, this meeting has occurred because we want to do good for Your kingdom. For the way You love, we thank You. opening prayers (athletic banquet or team cele-. our meeting so that it is full of wisdom, productivity, and respect You know everything. However, when I emcee or speak at events, I commonly see one big mistake made consistently. Simply put - invocation is a prayer said at the opening of a ceremony or service to invoke God's blessings. As this chapter on our life closes, so a new one begins. Expressing your gratitude and appreciation in prayer is a great way to start off your meal and evening. Blessed be our mother earth, our father sky and sun. Thoughts and prayers for fundraising activities David's prayer But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? - Author Unknown. Come and help us maintain unity as we discuss certain matters. Dear Lord Jesus, I thank You with all my heart that You have heard and answered my request for a scholarship, so that I may continue my studies, for which I praise and thank You. Amen. The first prayer is appropriate for a time of celebration, such as wedding reception or baptism. Prayers for our Chamber of Commerce. God is great, and God is good, let us thank Him for our food; By His blessings we are fed, Give us Lord, our daily bread. Here are 10 special opening prayers you can pray at your gatherings. It is you who are omniscient. Major General Dondi Costin delivers an outstanding invocation at the 2015 USO Gala. Help us always remember to do everything with a grateful heart and to keep our focus on you. Jorie Nicole McDonald leads editorial video efforts for Southern Living. pray. And so, mindful of your continuous care, we pause to be grateful for the blessings of this table. If we do disagree, let it be on the content, and not personality conflicts or power plays. Wise Use of Time Prayer Lord, our Helper, enable us to wisely and efficiently manage our time in this meeting today. Prayer for Strength Precious God, I pray against the schemes of the devil over this meeting and instead I pray that You rule over this meeting. Thank you for protecting us as we traveled and providing an opportunity to meet, learn, and grow. Let us therefore proclaim our gratitude to Providence for manifold blessingslet us be humbly thankful for inherited idealsand let us resolve to share those blessings and those ideals with our fellow human beings throughout the world. When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad. Prayer for Invocations and Prayer for Office Christmas Parties Prayers for Meetings Almighty God, You are our Creator and our Sustainer. May we accomplish great things this day, and may we display an attitude of cooperation and respect. Enlighten us that we may know how You want us to accomplish our tasks. Councilman George said about me, "He can worship a chicken if he wants to, but I'm not going to be around when he does it." Visit our home and this table with Your bright blessing of peace and life. O Who is like you, God, who is holy and loving like you? May your hearts be filled with dreams to face each day with hope and motivation.". I especially pray for those who are deployed away from home. the fruit of human hands from the bounty of your blessing. Blessed are you, Lord God, king of the universe: you raised your beloved son from the dead and made him Lord of all. Protect us all, and help us to grow in your love. Amen. Please pray this prayer that all our names of God may guide us on. - Edward Hays. O God, Most Creative and Sustaining Spirit. Lord Jesus, we are your brothers and sisters, and we gather here in your name. It is when we wear our majority hats that we need to be most mindful of how we treat others. . We thank you for the opportunity to - Edward Hays, "Prayers for the Domestic Church: A Handbook for Worship in the Home". - Author Unknown. A Countyman Gives Thanks - O God, Source and Giver of all things, who . We invite you into our presence. Let our plans be orchestrated by You. Thank you for bringing us together to recognize the hard work and dedication of this years award recipients. We remember before You our comrades now departed this life. Secularists argue that government should not hold religious events because they have the effect of endorsing religion and relegating the non-religious to second-class status. Help us to each listen politely as others share their points of view. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It could be easily adapted to a variety of settings and circumstances. I pray that we will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. It is you who are omnipotent. The prayer may also ask God for help; for example, that the decisions you're about to make be good ones. Be present at our table, Lord, be here and everywhere adored. I pray that we seek You for advice. May we and our gifts of food be under the tent of God's peace. However, we are not the Taliban. May they seek to be the best they can be and push themselves to new excellence. In either situation, you may find the following advice and examples useful. Your word says that all things work together for the good of those who love You, to those who are called according to Your purpose. Help us to be unified in making the best possible decisions and to effectively carry them out. Since you redeemed us so dearly and delivered us from evil, as you gave us a share in this food so may you give us a share in eternal life. for various reasons. Let us open our hearts and minds in grateful prayer: for all creation; for all people; for all who are with Xavier University; and most especially for those whom we come to recognize and honor this day. . May this food restore our strength, giving new energy to tired limbs, new thoughts to weary minds. For your presence here and now and for your presence at all times, we thank you. I feel very grateful for their public support. God, we thank you for this food. I pray that this meeting focuses upon You and Your plans for us as a body of believers. O God, our Father, we thank you for this gathering as we come together to honor the members of Recruit Class 131, their families and their instructors, on the day of their graduation. I have two questions for the council members who could not even bear to be in the same room with an atheist giving the invocation, and who are now surprised that so many of us feel deeply offended by their organized walkout. Daily, we are fed with good things, nourished by friendship and care, feasted with forgiveness and understanding. We place this meeting in Your hands. Let the sick and infirm rejoice, for their savior is born. let us take this moment to offer a prayer. Short Grace Prayers. "May your life be filled with laughter, endless happiness, and good fortune. We give thanks for this food prepared by loving hands. Help us to grow in wisdom and grace alongside our group members. Open our hearts to your love. O Who is like you, God, who is holy and loving like you? - Author Unknown A Table Prayer Before Meals We look to you, O Lord, for food to nourish our bodies, for grace to strengthen our spirits, for love to enrich our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Bless us, O God. Thank you for the blessings of our individual and collective God-given gifts. Amen. - Mary Cronk Farrell. Change of Command Ceremony for a Squadron/Battalion - Invocation (Christian) (written by Chaplain Daryl Densford, prayed the 5-15 CAV Change of Command Ceremony, Ft. Knox, KY, 2005) Dear Heavenly Father, We thank you for this beautiful day that we can stand before you. Come upon us and cause us to have a productive meeting. We ask in Jesus' name. We are ready to receive the rest, peace, and refreshment you offer. Amen. In Jesus Christ's holy name, Amen. Calm our anxious spirits. We give you respect and acknowledge you as our Creator and Provider. Thank you for the good plans you have for us. Amen. Bless everyone here and those who couldn't be with us today. You are our Light and our Fortress. Thank you for leading them in their learning, for keeping them safe as they studied, and for watching over them in their final exams. These invocation prayers are Lead us in joy and celebration of the only reality . Help us to work as a unified team in combining ideas for a great outcome. Thank you for your protection over our church, your guiding presence, and the provision to minister to a lost world. Help us make new connections and gain wisdom to do the work youve set before us. those whose lives are more affected than our own Praying at a meeting is a great way to remind everyone that God is with each and every one of us. Amen. Help us to accomplish our goals while displaying your character. Stop What Youre Doing: The First Trailer For "Are You There God? If you desire to entertaining books, lots of novels, tale, jokes, and more ctions collections are along with launched, from Thank you for your Holy Word and for giving us the opportunity as a group to study your Truth together. Make us worthy, Lord, to serve our fellow men throughout the world who live and die in poverty and hunger.