One of the questions I am most asked by interviewers is “Do Witches pray?” Of course they do, and when I answer, “Yes, absolutely,” they look at me as if I have gone crazy. This is because the interviewer is equating prayer as only belonging to the religion that they are most familiar with (which isn’t Wicca).
Granted, Witches are more focused than most people about prayer. We concentrate on the purity of the area and the purity of the mind before we begin to pray. Indeed, most spellcasting activities are nothing more than focused prayer with tools conducted in sacred space. Like other religions, we have prayers and rituals of adoration, devotional prayers, prayers for holidays, and prayers for when we are sad. We have prayers in which we are asking for help, and prayers of thanks. The only difference that I have ever seen is that Wiccan prayers do not grumble or cry out “Why me?” Instead, our prayers are designed to help us take action rather than stand around and wallow in the dirt with self-pity. Our religion also encourages people to speak to Spirit from the heart. Be honest and forthright. Don’t mince words—be specific.
The following are Wiccan prayers that you can use as they stand, or rewrite them to fit your circumstance. Prayers work best if you pray in sacred space, ground and center (see Part 3, Breathing, for these techniques), and meditate a bit before you begin; however, some of the most powerful prayers are those you will say in times of great need on the spur of the moment. If at all possible, pray aloud using your magickal voice (see page 312), and repeat the prayer at least three times.
Prayer for When You Are in
Financial Distress
Great Mother, hear me, your Wiccan son/daughter (say your name), who is in financial distress. I call upon Thee in my hour of need. (List specific needs. For example: Almost all the food in the house is gone and my family has no money to buy more, I don’t have the money to pay for my pet’s medicine, my father cannot pay for the dental appointment he needs so badly, my mother has no money to send me to the karate tournament, bill collectors are hounding my parents and I fear we will lose our home, etc.) I ask Thee to relieve our emotional stress over this (these) issue(s) and bring to us what we need to fulfill our obligations and receive what we need and more. (Always add the “and more” in case you’ve forgotten something. Spirit has a better memory than we do, especially when we are upset.) I know that the universe is a place of abundance, and that if I allow that energy of abundance to enter my life, all my needs will be met; therefore, I open my arms to that abundance now and thank You for Your gifts. I know that You will answer my prayer and I am certain of success. In the name of the Lord and the Lady, so mote it be.
Note: In this prayer the knowledge and certainty is not an aloof assumption that you are so special that Spirit will come to your rescue, but a statement of your faith that anything is possible. Also, if you have brought this problem onto yourself, such as overspending or not managing your money wisely, be open and honest about that fact. Don’t beat yourself over the head with your own failings, but do make sure you haven’t drifted into the would of illusion and denial. Ask for assistance that, in the future, you gain the ability to manage your money wisely.
Prayer for Healing
Great Mother, You of infinite love and grace, I, your Wiccan daughter/son (say your name), call upon You in the name of (person you are praying for) so that he/she may be healed as quickly as possible. Give him/her spiritual assistance to mentally overcome this medical problem, lift his/her spirits, and give him/her hope and confidence so that he/she can be well again. Bless his/her body with restorative energy and lighten the stressful load, and calm his/her emotional pain. Bring harmony to body, mind, and spirit. Ensure that he/she receives the right medical care from the right people at the right time. I know that You will do this for him/her and I am confident that he/she will receive what is needed, and more. In the name of the Lord and Lady, so mote it be.
Prayer in the Face of Disaster
It doesn’t happen often, but from time to time we find ourselves confronting a disaster, whether it be in our family, in our community, or even in our country. Say this prayer each night for at least six weeks or until the crisis is over.
Most Gracious Mother, She whose compassion reaches every corner of the universe and beyond, hear me, (say your name), your son/daughter of the Craft of the Wise, as I call out to You in our desperate time of need. We are facing a powerful force that threatens to bring (or has brought) destruction to our door, and I call upon Your great influence to put an end to this terror. Hear me, O Mother, as I pray for the sick and injured, for those who are trapped with little hope of survival, for those who feel frightened and alone, for those who are angry and filled with hatred, for those who are so emotionally distraught that they cannot find the wisdom to make sound decisions, for those who have lost loved ones, for those who are tirelessly working in rescue efforts—and protect the people from those who would misuse their power, both personal and greater, to harm the innocent. Allow no magicks to be impenetrable to Your hand, and sweep away those magicks that protect the guilty and hide them from Your justice. Gather all the positive energies from all the prayers across the world and bind them together to create a powerful vortex of love and harmony, peace and joy, protection and solace to those in need. And I pray for myself, my Mother, so that I may rise above this crisis and put my energies to where they will do the most good, that I not be self-serving, and that I not, in any way, add to the negativity or evil that has befallen us. I know that You will do this for (state the purpose), and I have confidence that You will immediately assist all those in need. In the name of the Lord and Lady, so mote it be.
Prayer Ribbons
A prayer ribbon can be used for any type of spiritual request. The ribbon(s) are activated at your altar, and then placed outside the home with the idea that as the ribbons dance in the wind, so your prayers are sent to Spirit. These prayers can be for protection, health, wisdom, success, and so on. The type of prayer used is entirely up to you.
Supplies: Wooden dowel; ribbons (your choice of color, based on the type of prayer you are sending); anointing oil or holy water.
Instructions: Cast a magick circle. Call the quarters. Beginning with the north quarter, present the ribbon(s) and indicate your request. Ask for blessings of the elements on your wish. Sprinkle the ribbons with holy water or anoint with sacred oil, once again stating your request.
Sit in the center of your magick circle and hold the ribbon(s)—use one prayer for each ribbon, if you have more than a single ribbon. Hold the ribbon in your hand and intone your prayer. Repeat until your fingers grow warm and you feel as if you are enveloped with spiritual peace and happiness. Seal your prayer by kissing the ribbon. When you are finished with your prayers, tie the ribbon(s) to the dowel. Thank Spirit and the quarter energies, then release the quarters. Draw the circle energy into the dowel by walking counterclockwise around the circle one to three times, then saying: “The circle is open, but never broken,” knowing that the circle energy is now in the dowel.
Take the dowel outside and stick it upright in the ground. As you do this, think of boosting the prayer with Earth energy so that it can travel to the heavens like a rocket. Run your hand up the dowel, beginning with the closest point to the ground, letting your hand continue traveling up off the stick and toward the heavens. As you do this, say:
Sacred Goddess, Mother Earth
Thou from whose immortal bosom
gods, and men, and beasts, have birth
leaf and blade, and bud and blossom33
from the earth to the sky
my prayers travel high
and the ear of my Mother is listening.