Resources & Reflections
Universal prayers and meditations from many traditions
These prayers transcend their origins. They speak to the universal human longing for peace, compassion, and connection with the divine. Use them as you need—as comfort, as meditation, as reminder.
Non-Denominational
The Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.
— Attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr
Christian
Prayer of Saint Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
— Attributed to St. Francis of Assisi
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Buddhist
Metta Prayer (Loving-Kindness)
May I be filled with loving-kindness.
May I be safe from inner and outer dangers.
May I be well in body and mind.
May I be at ease and happy.
May you be filled with loving-kindness.
May you be safe from inner and outer dangers.
May you be well in body and mind.
May you be at ease and happy.
May I be safe from inner and outer dangers.
May I be well in body and mind.
May I be at ease and happy.
May you be filled with loving-kindness.
May you be safe from inner and outer dangers.
May you be well in body and mind.
May you be at ease and happy.
— Traditional Buddhist Metta Meditation
Hindu
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu.
Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu.
Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu.
Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu.
Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu.
Translation: "May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all."
— Traditional Sanskrit Mantra
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Jewish
Mi Shebeirach (Prayer for Healing)
May the One who blessed our ancestors
bless and heal those who are ill.
May the Holy One bring them
refuah sheleimah, a complete healing—
healing of body and healing of spirit—
soon and speedily.
bless and heal those who are ill.
May the Holy One bring them
refuah sheleimah, a complete healing—
healing of body and healing of spirit—
soon and speedily.
— Traditional Jewish Healing Prayer
Islamic
Al-Fatiha (The Opening)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
Translation: "In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to God, Lord of all the worlds, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path."
— Qur'an, Surah 1:1-6
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Universal
A Prayer for Peace
Lead me from death to life,
from falsehood to truth.
Lead me from despair to hope,
from fear to trust.
Lead me from hate to love,
from war to peace.
Let peace fill our hearts,
our world, our universe.
from falsehood to truth.
Lead me from despair to hope,
from fear to trust.
Lead me from hate to love,
from war to peace.
Let peace fill our hearts,
our world, our universe.
— Adapted from Satish Kumar's Peace Prayer
Jewish
Shema
Hear, O Israel:
The Lord our God, the Lord is One.
You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
and with all your might.
The Lord our God, the Lord is One.
You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
and with all your might.
— Deuteronomy 6:4-5
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Contemplative
Breath Prayer
Breathing in, I calm my body.
Breathing out, I smile.
Dwelling in the present moment,
I know this is a wonderful moment.
Breathing out, I smile.
Dwelling in the present moment,
I know this is a wonderful moment.
— Thích Nhất Hạnh
May these words bring you comfort, clarity, and peace.