An Indivisible Invocation

Prayers for "Hands Off" Rally in Rehoboth Beach, DE

Note: This is the invocation I gave at the start of the “Hands Off” Rally, organized by the Southern Delaware Chapter of Indivisible. The turnout was AMAZING. I would “guestimate” that there were over a thousand people. Something happens when people come together to join forces. Something happens when you can sense the unity in the midst of all the diversity. What becomes clear is this: “The power of the people is greater than the people in power.” Here’s my prayer (video clips embedded in text).

April 5, 2025 -

Holy One, we know you by many names from our many faith traditions. Your most ancient name is the very sound of a human breath: Yahweh. We know you by the name so filled with beauty and love and power that it cannot be contained in one word or expression. And so we call you to be here with us now:

Adonai, Allah, Elohim, Ganesh, Hashem, Ahura Mazda, The Triple Goddess, The All-Merciful, Holy One, Buddha, Shiva, All-Compassionate, Creator, Vishnu, Protector of the Universe, Jehovah, The Source of Peace, The Fount of Blessings, Abba (Father), Ama (Mother), Jesus.

We stand here together in the place called Rehoboth, the name given to one of the wells dug by Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah, who became known as Jacob.

Isaac dug a well and named it Rehoboth after the herdsmen of Abimelech did not quarrel over it, saying, "For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land". (Genesis 26:22).

Rehoboth means “G_d has made room for us.”

We are standing today in a place known as “G_d has made room us”.

We come to this place from many different places and circumstances, but we stand together now, in the vision of community held by the Founders of this country:

E pluribus unum. Out of many, one.

We cling to that vision of being called into community from great diversity because we have been brought together by one of the great moral crises in our lifetime, indeed, perhaps in the 250 years of this experiment called Democracy. Oh, Lord, we are sore afraid, and we ask for strength.

Our democracy is under attack by forces of fascism that seek to dismantle the very foundations of what makes this country great: the inalienable right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

We know, Holy One, that fear is contagious, but you have taught us through the many prophets you have sent to us over many millennia that while fear is contagious, so is courage.

Fear is contagious but so is courage.

Courage is contagious.

Help us to know that truth. Courage is contagious. (Say it)

Help us to live that truth. Courage is contagious. (Say it)

Help us to act in that truth. Courage is contagious. (Say it)

Holy One, we know that our names are written in the palm of your hand. Bless us, Holy One, and write this truth in our hearts that

We are created equal (Say it). We are created equal.

The power of the people (Say it) The power of the people

Is stronger than the people in power (Say it) is stronger than the people in power.

The power of the people is stronger than the people in power. (Say it.)

We are Rehoboth (Say it). We are Rehoboth

There is room for all (Say it). There is room for all.

E pluribus unum (Say it). E pluribus unum

Out of many, one. (Say it). Out of many, one.

We are indivisible (Say it). We are indivisible.

Please pray with me: God our challenger and disturber,

                                    help us to confront all that makes for

                                    death and despair in our lives,

                                    our communities, our world. 

                                    May we never lose sight

                                    of the possibility of transformation

                                    and be continually surprised

                                    by people who believe in each other

- The Iona Community

 Say it as prayer. Courage is contagious. (Courage is contagious. )

Say it as belief. Courage is contagious. (Courage is contagious )

Say it as truth. Courage is contagious. (Courage is contagious .)

And, now, let us live as a people who are courageous enough to hope, bold enough to live in an indivisible community where we know we are one, where there is room for all, where we have the inalienable right to live, love, and laugh right out loud without fear, and pursue happiness with liberty and with justice for all.

Somebody give me an amen.

Amen.