How it’s New York: “Bridge to the Sacred” presents 200 prayers and meditations for daily renewal arranged by topic – an Instant Serenity Aid for subway rides, crosstown bus treks and elevator waits
How it’s Irish: Irish traditional musician and author L.E. McCullough co-edited an anthology of Interfaith prayer that includes memorable Irish and Irish-American sources
THE CO-AUTHOR of a new book of inspirational prayers describes their collection as an Instant Serenity Aid.
“Everyday life is becoming more stress-filled than ever, it seems,” says Rev. Elizabeth Bansavage of Woodbridge, New Jersey. “We wanted to offer readers a compact, easy-access volume that would revitalize their spirit in just a few minutes.”
Bridge to the Sacred: A Collection of Interfaith Prayers presents 200 prayers and meditations for daily renewal chosen from 44 world religions including several Irish and Irish-American sources including Fr. Mychal Judge, Blessed Catherine McAuley, Archbishop John Carroll, St. Brigid, St. Patrick, St. Dymphna and ancient Irish folk prayer.
Rev. Bansavage and her co-author, L.E. McCullough, Ph.D. will be on hand to sign copies of the book Thursday, Sept. 22, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, Menlo Park Mall, 55 Parsonage Road, Edison, New Jersey.
“Most of us first know prayer as a way to attain ‘face-time’ with an invisible deity,” says Rev. Bansavage. “As we mature, we realize that prayer does more than allow God to hear us … it allows us to hear God in ourselves and our world.”
The prayers are organized by everyday concerns — 40 topics ranging from Adversity, Anger, Contentment and Hope to In Time of Illness, Our Children, Prosperity, Safe Travel and more.
FAITH SOURCES represented include Baha’i, Buddhist, CaoDai, Confucian, Gaian, Hasidic, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Sikh, Taoist, Mormon, Muslim, Sufi, Unity and Zoroastrian along with native and national traditions — Babylonian, Egyptian, Hopi, Inuit, Irish, Mayan, Navajo, Scots-Gaelic, Sioux and Yoruba.
Christian entries encompass Roman Catholic, Mozarabic and Eastern Orthodox denominations along with prayers of Anglican, Baptist, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Puritan, Reformed Church in America, Society of Friends and United Church of Christ origin.
Bridge to the Sacred is profusely illustrated with 46 color photos of Rev. Bansavage’s Interfaith Prayer Garden, an Asian-themed ceremonial space and sanctuary. The vivid natural images provide readers with a tranquil visual element that enhances the inspirational texts.
The book is published in eBook, PDF and paperback formats by Silver Spear Publications (www.silverspearpublications.com).
It is available online at major retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, GoodReads, Scribd, iTunes and more.
“Since the dawn of time, humans across the globe have created prayers and reflections about the journey of life every person undertakes,” notes L.E. McCullough. “Bridge to the Sacred is a sampling of that shared wisdom for all of us seeking comfort and encouragement as we deal with the challenges of everyday life.”
Rev. Bansavage is an ordained Interfaith minister and graduate of One Spirit Interfaith Seminary in New York. Through her A Beautiful Ceremony ministry she creates customized weddings, baby blessings, vow renewals and memorial services at locations across New Jersey, including her Interfaith Prayer Garden.
Co-author L.E. McCullough is a versatile journalist who has published 49 books in the fiction, non-fiction, drama, essay and audiobook fields including Stories of the Songs of Christmas, Plays of Ancient Israel: Legends from the Bible, The Story of the Creche, The Children’s Illustrated Lives of the Saints, Favorite Catholic Novenas, The Complete Irish Tinwhistle Tutor, American Cabaret and the New Theatre of Conscience (with Claude McNeal) and Elvis: Truth, Myth & Beyond (with Harold F. Eggers, Jr.).
For more information about Bridge to the Sacred: A Collection of Interfaith Prayers, email SilverSpearPublications@gmail.com.
