Other Wedding Prayers
Hebrew Wedding Prayer
Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who hath created joy and gladness, bridegroom and bride, mirth and exultation, pleasure and delight, love and brotherhood, peace and friendship. May there soon be heard in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of joy and gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the jubilant voice of bridegrooms from the wedding canopy, and of youths from their feasts of song. Blessed art thou, O Lord, who gives the Bridegroom joy in his bride.
Unconditional Love
By Father John Powell
True love is and must always be, a free gift with no conditions attached.
The essential message of unconditional love is one of liberation.
You can be whoever you are, express all your thoughts and feelings with absolute confidence.
You do not have to be fearful that love will be taken away.
You will not be punished for your openness or honesty.
There is no admission price to love, no rental fees or installment payments to be made.
There may be days when disagreements and disturbing emotionans may come between you.
There may be times when thoughts or physical miles may lie between you.
But you have given each other the word of your commitment.
You have set your life on a new course.
You should not go back on your word to each other.
So feel free to be yourselves.
One thing we all know and should share with each other...we are committed to each others growth and happiness.
Above all else, never take each other for granted and always love each other, because true love is unconditional.
And what of marriage?
A poem by Lebanese poet Kahlil Gibran
To the question: 'And what of marriage?'
He says: 'You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore. You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days. Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God. But let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup. Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone. Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music. Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts. And stand together, yet not too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.'
The Art of Marriage
Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In the Art of Marriage: The little things are the big ones. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding room for the things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.
Foundations of Marriage
by Regina Hill
Love, trust, and forgiveness are the foundations of marriage. In marriage, many days will bring happiness, while other days may be sad. But together, two hearts can overcome everything... In marriage, all of the moments won't be exciting or romantic, and sometimes worries and anxiety will be overwhelming. But together, two hearts that accept will find comfort together.
Recollections of past joys, pains, and shared feelings will be the glue that holds everything together during even the worst and most insecure moments. Reaching out to each other as a friend, and becoming the confidant and companion that the other one needs, is the true magic and beauty of any two people together. It's inspiring in each other a dream or a feeling, and having faith in each other and not giving up... even when all the odds say to quit.
It's allowing each other to be vulnerable, to be himself or herself, even when the opinions or thoughts aren't in total agreement or exactly what you'd like them to be. It's getting involved and showing interest in each other, really listening and being available, the way any best friend should be. Exactly three things need to be remembered in a marriage if it is to be a mutual bond of sharing, caring, and loving throughout life: love, trust, and forgiveness.
French Grace (Dinner Blessing)
Seigneur,Père saint, tu nous rassembles autour de cette table dans l'amour et la joie de ________ et de ________ . Avec eux, nous te bénissons et nous te rendons grâce pour l'amour que tu as fait naître dans leur couer et que tuviens de sceller par le mariage.Sois avec nous durant ce banquet. Resserre nos lien d'amitié et de famille. Prépare-nous a vivre ensemble avec toi pour les siècles des siècles. Amen.
Why Marriage? (altered slightly)
Author: Mari Nichols
Because to the depths of me, I long to love one person, with all my heart, my soul, my mind, my body . Because I need a forever friend to trust with the intimacies of me, who won't hold them against me, who loves me when I'm unlikable, who sees the small child in me, and looks for the divine potential of me. Because I need to cuddle in the warmth of the night with someone who is thankful, with someone I feel blessed to hold. Because marriage means opportunity to grow in love in friendship. Because, knowing this, I promise myself to take full responsibility for my spiritual, mental and physical wholeness, I create me, I take half of the responsibility for my marriage together we create ourmarriage. Because with this understanding the possibilities are limitless.
A Bride's Prayer
Oh Gracious God, my heart is filled with a happiness so wonderful that I am almost afraid. This is my wedding day!, and I pray thee that the beautiful joy of this day will never grow dim. Rather, may its memories become more sweet and tender with each passing anniversary. Walk thou with us even to the end of our journey, hand in hand, down the highway to the valley of the final shadow, which we will be able to lighten with sunshine because of our love and happy lives. Amen.
