Three paths, One God. Jewish, Christian, Muslim. Scripture, liturgy,
and contemporary prayer. Three women, each following her faith, praying
and seeking, marking times of our days, celebrating the unfolding of
our lives, pursuing sacred paths toward God. Thus, this book!
Sacred writings, inspired and inspirational, are the foundation of
every faith tradition. As people of faith, we study our holy texts, revere
them, and try to absorb their wisdom. They are central to our beliefs and
practices. Every religion uses liturgy, fixed prayers composed many years
ago, and often associated with specific times of the year and appropriate
to particular situations or forms of worship. As people of faith, we use
these established forms and appreciate the power, beauty, and stability
of their words.
And every faith tradition is alive. As people of faith, we practice our
religions and honor and embrace the books associated with them. As
people of faith, we respond to the sacred texts which are our spiritual inheritance.
We pray and write new prayers as expressions of our faith. Our
prayers, in response to holy writings, are our way of keeping our faith
relevant and alive. We pray because it connects us with God. Through
our prayers, we affirm our gratitude and recognition of the power of The
Source of All and seek mercy, guidance, blessings, and answers to our
needs.
As active practitioners of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the authors
recognize the power of religious belief and practice in our lives. We realize
that prayer, as part of daily life, can enrich our lives, deepen our experiences,
and help us cope with some of life's challenges. We want to share some of that
richness with our readers. Throughout this book, we maintain the uniqueness
of our own sacred beliefs and join together as seekers of peace, who believe
in One God. We pray together to build our relationship with the Divine
Source, seeking protection to overcome temptations and help to determine
the Divine Will. We pray together to accomplish God's work by awakening
our spirits and deepening our connection with The One.
