Prayer Flags and Common Humanity

During the pandemic of COVID-19, I have seen lots of art in public places - signs of gratitude on the grounds of nearby hospitals and nursing homes, sidewalks chalked with encouragement in our neighborhood. One day a beautiful rock painted as a ladybug appeared as an anonymous gift in my garden. Many of these public displays of affection and support catch my attention and find their way into my prayers.

Now the public art as murals of remembrance and the protest signs carried in recent marches around the world invite me to think more deeply and not just notice in passing. How is it that we move our inner thoughts into outdoor spaces. These memorials, these proclamations are laments; they are public prayers of the people. They are like the psalms which address God, each other, and the human condition.

"Hear my voice, O God, when I complain; protect my life from fear of the enemy."
Ps. 64:1

“The Lord upholds all those who fall; he lifts up those who are bowed down" Ps. 145:15

So, I am wondering how to deepen my prayer. Can I spend time with a protest sign and turn it into a psalm? Can I make a prayer flag that displays my best intentions for this broken and beautiful world?

Dean Kate has reminded us that crisis breeds creativity. I will write a psalm and create a prayer flag, to put my heart and hope out there. Prayer flags from their earliest beginnings are considered signs of goodwill. Hung outdoors, these loving affirmations are blown by the wind and spread into the world. They are usually made simply and strung with others on a tree or other structure. The colors will fade, the unfinished edges may curl, a squirrel may decide to take them to his house, a bird may rest nearby. Maybe someone will stop and pay attention.

~The Rev. Dr. Linda Privitera

Please join us by making a flag with an expression of your prayer for peace and reconciliation.

• Use a piece of light-weight fabric so it will blow in a breeze. An old pillowcase can be cut into six or eight flag shapes.
• Leave the edges unfinished, to catch the breeze.
• Leave a space at the top so the flag can be attached to a rope.
• Use any markers, art supplies, ribbon, yarn, etc., that are handy. Enjoy the work!
• The flag may be silent or include words.
• Don't worry about the flag wearing out or raveling. The people who made the earliest flags hoped that was a sign that the prayers were lofting toward Heaven!

Flags can be dropped off Monday thru Friday mornings, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m at the Cathedral House, use the entrance facing Church Street. Push the buzzer, Judy will let you in, and you can leave your flags on the bench in the hallway.

For more information, please contact Liesl Gavronsky-Howsare at [email protected] or Susan Bancks at [email protected] Prayer flags and common humanity is sponsored by the Center for Prayer and Spirituality at St. John's Cathedral.

Prayer Flags

Let's fill the Cathedral District with Prayer Flags for Peace and Reconciliation

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