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Starting the year with prayers… |17 January 2022

Starting the year with prayers…

2022 started with another surge in Covid cases around the world and our small country has not been spared. Once again most of the children are kept out of physical schools, there are restrictions in meeting our family members/friends, no socialising, more sickness and deaths in the communities. But we must still be hopeful to have better days in front of us. Turning our face towards God seems to bring healing to the soul, body and mind.

Today we have compiled a series of prayers from the different denominations in Seychelles to help us cope with the ongoing situation and we hope that no matter what situation you are in, you will have the courage to raise like an eagle and face the year ahead.

 

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Prayers from the Hindu Council of Seychelles

Gayatri Mantra

May my intellect be steady without agitation.
May it be clear without anger or passion.
May the brilliant light of the sun beam though my intellect so
that perception of the world may be clear, my discrimination
subtle, my judgment correct and quick, and my
comprehension of persons and situations precise and wise.

On Peace

I desire neither earthly kingdom, nor even freedom from birth and death.
I desire only the deliverance from grief of all those afflicted by misery.
Oh Lord, lead us from the unreal to the real; from darkness to light; from death to immortality.
May there be peace in celestial regions.
May there be peace on earth.
May the waters be appeasing.
May herbs be wholesome and may trees and plants bring peace to all.
May all beneficent beings bring peace to us. May your wisdom spread peace all through the world.
May all things be a source of peace to all and to me.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti (Peace, peace, peace).

 

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Prayer from the Zoroastrian Society

In the name of the Lord Ahura Mazda who is benevolent, forgiving and loving,

May he bless all with soundness of body, happiness, abundance and innate wisdom.

May his glory always be associated with everlasting righteousness.

May this prayer and wish be fulfilled and bring joy onto all mortals of the whole universe

And their future progeny for thousands and thousands of benedictions.

May the Lord protect the leadership of the worthy ruler for many years and for many ages.

May the year be auspicious, the day victorious and the month full of good luck, for several months, for many years and many generations to come.

May all acts of goodness be for the furtherance of righteousness.

Grant onto all a long continuous life and the best existence in heaven filled with brightness and happiness.

 

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Prayers from the Bahá’í Faith

He is God, exalted is He, the Lord of might and grandeur!

O God, my God! I yield Thee thanks at all times and render Thee praise under all conditions.

In prosperity, all praise is Thine, O Lord of the Worlds, and in its absence, all gratitude is Thine, O Desire of them that have recognized Thee!

In adversity, all honour is Thine, O Adored One of all who are in heaven and on earth, and in affliction, all glory is Thine, O Enchanter of the hearts of those who yearn after Thee!

In hardship, all praise is Thine, O Thou the Goal of them that seek after Thee, and in comfort, all thanksgiving is Thine, O Thou whose remembrance is treasured in the hearts of those who are nigh unto Thee!

In wealth, all splendour is Thine, O Lord of them that are devoted to Thee, and in poverty, all command is Thine, O Thou the Hope of them that acknowledge Thy unity!

In joy, all glory is Thine, O Thou besides Whom there is none other God, and in sorrow, all beauty is Thine, O Thou besides Whom there is none other God!

In hunger, all justice is Thine, O Thou besides Whom there is none other God, and in satiety, all grace is Thine, O Thou besides Whom there is none other God!

In my homeland, all bounty is Thine, O Thou besides Whom there is none other God, and in exile, all decree is Thine, O Thou besides Whom there is none other God!

Under the sword, all munificence is Thine, O Thou besides Whom there is none other God, and in the safety of home, all perfection is Thine, O Thou besides Whom there is none other God!

In the lofty mansion, all generosity is Thine, O Thou besides Whom there is none other God, and upon the lowly dust, all favour is Thine, O Thou besides Whom there is none other God!

In prison, all fidelity is Thine, O Thou the Bestower of gifts, and in confinement, all eternity is Thine, O Thou Who art the ever-abiding King!

All bounty is Thine, O Thou Who art the Lord of bounty, and the Sovereign of bounty, and the King of bounty! I bear witness that Thou art to be praised in Thy doings, O Thou Source of bounty, and to be obeyed in Thy behests, O Thou Ocean of bounty, He from Whom all bounty doth proceed, He to Whom all bounty doth return!

Bahá’u’lláh

 

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Prayer from Orthodox Christian

O Lord my Saviour and my Master, I , Thine unprofitable servant, with fear and trembling give thanks unto Thy Loving goodness for all Thy benefits which Thou has poured so abundantly upon me, Thy servant. I fall down in adoration before Thee and offer Thee, O God, my praises; with fervor I cry to Thee: Oh deliver me henceforth from all adversities and mercifully fulfill in me such of my desires as may be expedient for me. Hear me, I entreat Thee, and have mercy, for Thou art the Hope of all the ends of the earth, and unto Thee, with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, be ascribed glory now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

 

Prayers from Roman Catholic Church

Seigneur, Médecin suprême qui soignes et qui guéris, je m’agenouille devant Toi, car c’est de Toi que viennent tout Bien et tout Don parfait.
Tu m’as choisi pour Te servir, Te soulager et Te soigner dans les plus pauvres, atteints et diminués dans leur corps, leur cœur et leur esprit. Fais-moi prendre pleinement conscience du privilège qui est le mien d’être à Ton service. Je T’en prie, donne à ma main l’habileté et la douceur aimante, à mon esprit la perspicacité, à ma bouche les mots qui apaisent, à mon regard la tendresse et la bienveillance, et à mon cœur tout l’amour que Tu attends.
Fais que je ne regarde pas le temps que je vais passer auprès de Toi souffrant. Donne-moi de m’engager sincèrement à Ton service et accorde-moi la force de prendre, pour l’amour de Toi, une part du fardeau de mes frères souffrants. Enlève de mon cœur tout scrupule et toute mondanité pour qu’avec la foi simple d’un enfant, je puisse m’appuyer sur Toi.

Sainte Mère Teresa (1910-1997)

Dieu notre Créateur, nous t’en prions :

À nous qui sommes loin de celles et ceux que nous aimons, qu’on nous rappelle de trouver des façons d’être ton amour et ta tendresse pour notre prochain.

Que les restrictions que nous connaissons nous rappellent les atteintes quotidiennes à la dignité humaine, à la vie et à la sécurité fondamentale que subissent tant de femmes, d’hommes et d’enfants dans notre monde.

Nous qui sommes en bonne santé, rappelons-nous celles et ceux qui n’ont pas accès aux soins de base.

Nous qui limitons nos déplacements, rappelons-nous celles et ceux qui n’ont aucun refuge où aller.

Nous qui bénéficions d’un filet de sécurité sociale, rappelons-nous nos sœurs et nos frères du Sud dont la situation est en train de s’aggraver.

Que l’inquiétude que nous éprouvons pour la vie de nos aînés nous incite à aimer et à chérir chacune des personnes que nous rencontrons tous les jours.

Face à la peur, choisissons l’amour, la paix et l’espérance.

Pape François

 

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Prayer from the Chairman of Seychelles Evangelical Alliance - Ap Robert Moumou

Dear heavenly Father

We glorify your name which to feared in all nations

We declare that You are awesome, all knowing and all powerful

We thank you for protecting Seychelles throughout 2021 and seeing it into 2022 safely and peacefully.

We acknowledge that we have sinned against you by disobeying your ways and for not trusting in you as we should. We receive and accept your forgiveness.

We go against all the plans and schemes of the enemy against Seychelles

We rebuke and negate the spirit of sickness and deaths, fear, confusion and intimidation over this nation

We declare that any weapons formed against us shall not prosper

We degree and declare health, peace, faith, life and prosperity over Seychelles

We ask for Your divine wisdom, and justice for all those in authority

May they rule according to your plans and desires for this moment in history

Let no evil plans to go against your laws prevail in this land

We declare you as Lord of lords over this nation

Let your will be done and your kingdom come in Seychelles

In Jesus Name

Amen

 

Compiled by Vidya Gappy

 

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