I’m inviting you and my community to make and hang the prayer ties outside your home or business as a symbol of prayer, peace, gratitude and support.
At this time of social distancing, I want to emphasize contemplative insights and practices that help us heal our sense of separation and isolation, promote connection and awaken a sense of creativity and responsibility for all beings.
People in almost every faith tradition across the world have ways of hanging simple objects as expressions of prayer, sending forth love, courage and healing into the world. Many churches celebrate Advent and Lent by tying ribbons, banners or cloth around trees to enrich the celebration. As Easter approaches, perhaps this practice will help you in your embrace of new life and resurrection. The Lakota and Cherokee people use prayer ties (tobacco or cornmeal wrapped in cloth) as offerings of prayers, intentions, and gratitude, tying them to trees or leaving them in sacred places. All who come in contact with the prayer ties are blessed by the intentions and prayers. In Ireland, Scotland and Wales people tie strips of colored cloth called “clooties,” to ask for blessings. Buddhist prayer flags hold prayers blown by the wind to promote peace, compassion and wisdom.
To make prayer ties:
- Gather alone or with family in a contemplative, devotional manner.
- Cut cloth into small squares about 4 x 4 inches.
- Place prayer intentions of gratitude, healing, wisdom, for those suffering, etc. in center of cloth or write on the fabric.
- Take string, yarn or strips of cloth to tie into a bundle or sew the flags in a straight line.
- With prayer, song and gratitude attach the prayer bundles to a tree or sacred place outdoors
- Visit this place with prayer and gratitude often.
So when you drive by 9 Walker Street in Kittery and see my Peace Flags, know that from a distance I am sending support and prayers.