Worldwide Worship (PDF)

Drawn from classical and religious texts, as well as the work of poets and other artists, Worldwide Worship is a unique celebration of worship found in many religious traditions. These selections have been chosen singularly and as a group by John Marks Templeton, not only for their individual aesthetic beauty, but also to assist us in learning various lessons of life. The collection begins with prayer, drawn from sources such as Celtic, Native American, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim traditions, among others. These words are used to help the reader understand the power of prayer and how it can best be used as a conduit for God's love and wisdom.The next section combines hymns, spiritual songs, and contemporary tunes into a ministry of music. There are some classic favorites as well as ones from Hindu worship, Filipino folk songs, Kwanzaa celebrations, and the Buddhist tradition. Combining uplifting words with music carries feelings directly to the heart, and many of these selections have the accompanying musical scores included to add to one's enjoyment.Both the imagery and construction of poetry included in the next section convey powerful feelings and can open the heart to the elegance of language and the richness of the spirit. Among the selections are Walt Whitman and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow along with contemporary writers Ken Wilber and Jack Kornfield. Navajo prayers are juxtaposed to Kahil Gibran and Hildegard of Bingen.From this rich mixture of prayer, song, and poetry comes a confirmation of the life-affirming universality of the human spirit. Together these works celebrate the universal principles found in the human mind, and attempt to bridge the gaps between religions, cultures, and peoples of the world.