8a
Apache Wedding Prayer
Now you will feel no rain,
For each of you will be shelter to the other.
Now you will feel no cold,
For each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there is no more loneliness,
For each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two bodies,
But there is only one life before you.
Go now to your dwelling place
To enter into the days of your togetherness
And may your days be good and long upon the earth.
8b
Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy. Amen.
8c
Grant that their will may be so knit together in your will, and their spirits in your Spirt, that they may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life.
8d
Give them grace, when they hurt each other, to recognize and acknowledge their fault, and to seek each other's forgiveness and yours. Amen.
8e
Give them such fulfilment of their mutual affection that they may reach out in love and concern for others. Amen.
8f
Grant that all married persons who have witnessed these vows may find their lives strengthened and their loyalties confirmed. Amen.
8g
________, and ________, may the warmth of your love melt the snows of all your barriers, and may you truly be united as one, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Your parents, your families, and your friends now recognize your commitment. Let us pray: Most holy God, mother and father of all creation, may your blessings continue for ________ and ________. May you encourage and help each of them to develop into a more complete person, by becoming a more united couple. May the Living Spirit grant them patience to mend their differences, wisdom and guidance in all their decision. Grant them grace in times of disappointment, and peace that comforts them all the days of their lives. Amen.
8h
This is a moment of celebration. Let it also be a moment of deication. The world does a good job of reminding us how fragile we are. Individuals are fragile; relationships are fragile, too. Every marriage needs the love, nurture, and support of a network of friends and family. On this wedding day, I ask you not only to be friends of ________ or ________; but friends of ________ AND ________ together, friends of the relationship. In the moment of silence that follows, I ask each of you, in your own way to confer a silent prayer, blessing, wish or hope upon this wedding.
(moment of silence) May the love you have found grow in meaning and strength until its beauty is shown in a common devotion to all that is compassionate and life-giving. May the flow of your love help brighten the face of the earth. May the source of all love touch and bless us and grace our lives with color and courage.
8i
Out of this tangled world, two souls have come together, drawn by mutual love and respect. May their days and years yet unborn deepen the joy of their choice and make it abidingly true.
8j
May you always remain sweethearts, helpmates and friends.
May your life together be full of kindness and understanding, thoughtfulness and rejoicing.
May the years bring you happiness and contentment.
May you enter into each other's sorrow by sympathy,
Into each other's joy with gladness,
Into each other's hope with faith and trust,
Into each other's need with the sure presence of love,
Into each other's lives with enthusiasm and embracing.
8k
May these two find happiness intheir union. May they live faithfully together, performing the vow and covenant that they have made between them; and may the ever remain in sympathy and understanding; that their years may be rich in the joys of life, and their days good, and long upon the earth.
8l
May this moment gleam eternally in your lives. May it add glory to every achievement and cast a blessed light over any ill fortune that may appear. May you give vitality to each other in all undertakings. May you care for each other in all sadness. May you give cheer to each other as you each care for the sacred pasion of love. May all that is virtuous, beautiful and trustworthy, remain with you always.
