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Prayer and Meditation

Prayer

What is prayer? In simple terms, prayer is our inner dialogue, the term that is used to describe asking for divine help. Most commonly, prayers are for the higher good of yourself, your loved ones or others who need help, guidance or protection.

Meditation

The companion to prayer is meditation. What is meditation? Meditation is the term used for the act of being still and quieting the endless chatter inside our heads so that divine answers and/or inspiration from God can reach us.

The Lord's Prayer 

Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.

Amen.

23rd Psalm white flower

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for Thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Amen.

Read more psalms in the Old Testament (King James Version)
Famous teachings: Sermon on the Mount

The Gospel According to ST. MATTHEW 6

6:5: And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6:6: But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

6:7: But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

6:8: Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

6:9: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

6:10: Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

6:11: Give us this day our daily bread.

6:12: And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

6:13: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

The Gospel According to ST. LUKE 11 - 15

11:1: And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

11:2: And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

11:3: Give us day by day our daily bread.

11:4: And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

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The Golden Rule

Here are many faiths that teach the golden rule:

Bahaiism: If thou lookest toward justice, choose then for others what thou choosest for thyself. Blessed is he who prefers his brother before himself.

Brahmanism: This is the sum of duty: Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you.

Buddhism: In five ways should a clansman minister to his friends and familiars: By generosity, courtesy and benevolence, treating them as he treats himself and by being as good as his word.

Christianity: All things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even to them: For this is the law and the prophets.

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. (Luke 6:31)

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

Confucianism: Is there one word which may serve as a rule to practice for all one's life? The Master said, "Is not reciprocity (sympathy, consideration) such a word? What you do not want done to yourself, do not unto others."

Hinduism: The life giving breaths of other creatures are as dear to them as the breaths of one's own self. Men gifted with intelligence and purified souls should always treat others as they themselves wish to be treated.

Jainism: Indifferent to worldly objects, a man should wander about, treating all creatures in the world as he himself would be treated.

Judaism: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

Mohammedanism: No one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.

Sikhism: As thou deemest thyself, so deem others; then shalt thou become a partner in Heaven.

Shintoism: Irrespective of their nationality, language, manners and culture, men should give mutual aid, and enjoy reciprocal, peaceful pleasure by showing in their conduct that they are brethren.

Taoism: Regard your neighbor's gain as your own gain, and regard your neighbor's loss as your own loss.

Zoroastrianism: That nature alone is good which refrains from doing unto another whatsoever is not good for itself.