Prayer of Five Declarations

An Interfaith Ritual

The Prayer of Five Declarations is a ROGUE prayer, which I will explain at the end. For most of the last decade I addressed this prayer only to Christ. Now I also address it to visible people, whether present or not and whether Christian or not.

This prayer comes from a heart which has clearly seen Christ alive in the hearts of Buddhists, Muslims and atheists. Christ is like water, flowing into places Christians reject. Thank you, Lao Tzu, for that nugget of wisdom.

For best results, pray together. One person is the chime bearer. The others respond after each chime. A five chime can look like this:

• The chime bearer says, “Recognition” and sounds the first tone.
• Others press their two hands together and respond, “I recognize your presence in my life.”
• The chime bearer says, “Openness” and sounds the second tone.
• Others spread their two hands open in front of the hearts and respond, “I open my heart to your love.”
• The chime bearer says, “Gratitude” and sounds the third tone.
• Others cross their two hands over their hearts and respond, “I give thanks you sustain me.”
• The chime bearer says, “Understanding” and sounds the fourth tone.
• Others keep one hand on the heart, raise the other to the forehead and respond, “I seek to understand you in wisdom.”
• The chime bearer says, “Empathy” and sounds the final tone.
• Others move one hand from the forehead to an outreached position and respond, “I choose to engage with you in joys and sorrows.”

The ceremony is now over. Follow up with hugs, smiles and fellowship for as long as you like.

A solitary person can be their own chime bearer. A husband and wife may address one another in a ROGUE marriage healing rite to reduce conflict. Other enemies can use it for the same purpose. A sports team may use the words to bond. Worshipers of different faiths may address one another in ROGUE prayer to acknowledge sacred connections that resist ordinary theology.

ROGUE prayer is okay in public schools because it does not officially establish one faith over another. We can put it on coins if they ever get big enough. Rich people can serve as chime bearers for poor people if they want to go to heaven without a camel. Americans can do it with Mexicans. It is most effective when the chime bearer practices heart knot meditation.

The ROGUE acronym comes from Recognition, Openness, Gratitude, Understanding and Empathy. It expresses an attitude contrary to religious bigotry. Expect your world to transform.