National Prayer Day 2012 - Plano City Council

National day of prayer is an annual event, originally observed in 1775, and the US Congress formalized it in 1952, and revived in 1981.  It is a day, where Americans of different faiths come together and express their gratitude to the creator in their own way. It is a way to learn that God can be thanked in so many different ways.

 Other pictures  http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157629964330261/show/   

I have been a part of the interfaith movement since 1993, and I  have been fortunate to develop unique prayers and greetings format for the event.

My usual speech includes all religious traditions in the interfaith gatherings. This time I was asked by the Plano Multi Cultural Association to represent Islam and I did. This is the first time I have represented Islam in a gathering like this, I usually speak on Pluralism and interfaith.  But I do speak on Islam, India, Israel and building cohesive pluralistic societies. 

However, I did my interfaith greetings, which includes explaining the essence of greetings in each traditions and what it means to you and me.  The greetings shared were from Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Wicca, Native Americans and Zoroastrian traditions.

PLEASE NOTE: TWO OF THE SCHEDULED SPEAKERS DID NOT SHOW UP. I was ready to fill in one and did not take the 2nd one, which was Hindu; I thought there was a Hindu in the audience, there was none.  No one prayed the Hindu prayers, and I felt bad, it should never happen on my watch and in my presence. Organizers can call and follow up, but cannot produce the speakers. 

NO MATTER WHAT FAITH YOU BELONG TO, if you cannot make it, please call me in Dallas Fort Worth area, I will fill in for your religion, any religion. I will go to New York or Siberia to represent your faith, if you pay for it.

PRAYERS ARE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING IN EVERY TRADITION, AND THEY ALL MEAN GOODNESS FOR HUMANITY. Almost all faiths are inclusive in their prayers, meaning they wish well for the entire humanity. If you sincerely believe there is only one ultimate creator or causer of life, then it does not matter what name you call him ( her or it) or how and what words you say. 

Don't judge others and other religions by a few you know, go by the majority and resist the  temptations to judge others, you will find your own goodness come to the surface when you start seeing the good in others. All prayers are beautiful.

In the past, I have filled in for Hindu, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Baha’i, Jain, Buddhist, Sikh, Muslim and other traditions.  I have not had a chance to represent Christian tradition yet, as we are always blessed with their presence. 

A few pictures from the event are in this link.  I forgot my camera and my Mrs. Shaheen Salaam, co-Chair of the event took the pictures from her i-phone and shared it. Thanks
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157629964330261/show/

Some of the prayers from the past
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2010/05/today-is-national-prayer-day-lets-pray.html

SPEAKER FOR NATIONAL PRAYER DAY http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/speaker-for-national-prayer-day.html

National Prayer Day, Thursday, May 7, 2010

http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2010/05/national-prayer-day-thursday-may-7-2010.html

MikeGhouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News and regularly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. The blog www.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily. 

MY DIARY FOR WEEKENDING MAY 15, 2011

Last Sunday, I  gave a talk about Islam followed by two hours of intense questions and answers about Quraan, Islam, Sharia and the Phobias at United Methodist Church in Dallas.

Monthly participation at Faith Club of Richardson discussing fate and free will.  

At the Ahmadiyya Mosque in Allen shared comments about loyalty and patriotism in an interfaith conference. I am waiting for notes from Hindu and Jewish speakers to write a summary of the productive event. The event prompted me to write a full blown article on the division among Muslims and how to heal it, God willing it will be published  in Washington Times or Huffington post.

The National Prayer day at the Plano City council chambers  was a delight, it was good see Jan organizing it. She said she was inspired by the work shoos I conducted on Pluralism which had helped her shape organizing the National prayer event with different religions.

The Metrocrest Interfaith group met at the Metrocrest human services for lunch, they are amazing in the kind of services they are providing the the citizens of Carrollton, Coppell and Farmers Branch.

It was a joy to be part of the Native American Elders get together, Ponca, Apache, Cherokee, Kiowa and other nations participated in the event. It was bliss... I hope to write a note and post the pictures.

Rev. Petra Weldes, Rev. Eric Folkerth and I were on the Radio to talk about the moral, legal and ethical dilemma with the end of Bin Laden.

Sean Hannity’s nationally syndicated Radio  show place me and  Andrew McCarthy to debate about AlQaeda,  it was a good productive talk on the show.

Campaigned for my candidates in Carrollton Matthew Marchant, Bonnie Kaplan and Bob Garza, even last night I got commitment from 25 people to go vote today.

Contemporary Chorale held their annual musical afternoon at Eisemann Center in Richardson, attended to honor my friend Tricia Harris, what a fabulous program and I hope to have their group sing the harmony song at Unity Day.

Music and Harmony presentation by Toltec Philosophy at the Unity Church that my friend Coke Buchanan had arranged was out of the world. The music transported me into a different world… they just played about five instruments, drum, piano, saxophone, flute and the native horn… I like the fast beat at the end. Literally every one had gone into a different world.

I hope to catch up with a lot of work on Sunday.

Mike Ghouse committed to building a cohesive America. http://www.mikeghouse.net/

National Prayer Day happenings on Thursday

An examination of different types of Prayers and Prayer happenings in Dallas Fort Worth followed by a Dinner event on Friday. Please note that a healthy change has occurred in the last few years due to the collective efforts of the community, there was a time when other denominations and faiths were excluded, but that is history now and Thank God for the inclusionary, pluralistic attitudes of Priests, Rabbis, Imams, Pastors, Pundits, Shamans and religious leaders across the world.

Continued at: http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2010/05/national-prayer-day-thursday-may-7-2010.html