Three Paths, One God: Traditional Scriptures and New Prayers

Three paths, One God. Jewish, Christian, Muslim. Scripture, liturgy,

and contemporary prayer. Three women, each following her faith, praying

and seeking, marking times of our days, celebrating the unfolding of

our lives, pursuing sacred paths toward God. Thus, this book

Sacred writings, inspired and inspirational, are the foundation of

every faith tradition. As people of faith, we study our holy texts, revere

them, and try to absorb their wisdom. They are central to our beliefs and

practices. Every religion uses liturgy, fixed prayers composed many years

ago, and often associated with specific times of the year and appropriate

to particular situations or forms of worship. As people of faith, we use

these established forms and appreciate the power, beauty, and stability

of their words.

And every faith tradition is alive. As people of faith, we practice our

religions and honor and embrace the books associated with them. As

people of faith, we respond to the sacred texts which are our spiritual inheritance.

We pray and write new prayers as expressions of our faith. Our

prayers, in response to holy writings, are our way of keeping our faith

relevant and alive. We pray because it connects us with God. Through

our prayers, we affirm our gratitude and recognition of the power of The

Source of All and seek mercy, guidance, blessings, and answers to our

needs.

As active practitioners of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the authors

recognize the power of religious belief and practice in our lives. We realize

that prayer, as part of daily life, can enrich our lives, deepen our experiences,

and help us cope with some of life's challenges. We want to share some of that

richness with our readers. Throughout this book, we maintain the uniqueness

of our own sacred beliefs and join together as seekers of peace, who believe

in One God. We pray together to build our relationship with the Divine

Source, seeking protection to overcome temptations and help to determine

the Divine Will. We pray together to accomplish God's work by awakening

our spirits and deepening our connection with The One.