Bill Sanda / David Berry / Sharon Franquemont
The Prayer Vigil for the Earth was an icon of spiritual experience and community standing on the National Mall in Washington DC amid the symbolic monuments of our Nation. It was founded in 1993 under the leadership of GrandfatherHarry F. Byrd (Lakota), Grace Smith Yellowhammer (Dine), Sharon Franquemont, Betsy Stang, and David Berry. After 1995, the annual organizing committee grew to ten people. The first 4 years focused on Native American prophecies and spirituality with One Mind, One Voice, One Heart, and One Prayer. At the suggestion of Harryspirituality with One Mind,One Voice, One Heart, and One Prayer. At the suggestion of Harry F. Byrd, all faiths were invited to share their traditions for the following 16 years.For two days a circle of tipis and structures from various spiritual traditions surrounded a sacred fire in the heart of Washington, DC. The Prayer Vigil’s reverence and gratitude for the natural world and the diversity of human experience transcends the cynicism too common in our culture today. The Vigil was free and open to everyone as a place wheresimilarities were highlighted, and differences respected.Our gratitude goes to the thousands of people who came to the event throughout the 20 years. We made the event together establishing a culture of peace in the context of our diversity. No matter how planned each Prayer Vigil was, the Creator God always presented spontaneous events and uplifting surprises. Profound thanks to everyone who donated time, food, materials, talents, creativity, energy, and money. It is a blessing to experience what happens when people come together as many threads weaving a whole and vibrant society on behalf of a life-affirming planetary community.Please join us in prayer for our Earth Community wherever you are, whenever you feel called to do so, and in any way that is appropriate for you. May the seeds of our collective actions find fertile ground and flourish.For more photos and information, please explore our website: http://www.oneprayer.org. 3
