Readings & Prayers from our services

We Who Live By Words

Words can be weapons, instruments of violence.
Words can deceive and pervert the truth.
Words can be used to trigger hatred,
Prejudice and unreason.
May consciousness of words' potential
For harm be always with us, we who live by words.

Words can confuse and be barriers to communication
Words often fail to express what we really mean.
Words can become idols, burdened with an
Import they cannot bear.
May awareness of the inadequacy of words
Be always with us, we who live by words.

Words can raise up and empower, heal and reconcile.
Words can bring understanding and enlightenment.
Words van be vehicles of compassion.
May knowledge of the good that words can do be
Always with us, we who live by words.

May the words we use be words of
Kindness, words of humour and
Goodwill, words that come from the
Overflowing of a loving heart.


Cliff Reed
Used as part of a July 2010 service.