We need prayers and blessings in our lives that celebrate the coming together of two loving people that do not include the terminology for “man and woman” and “husband and wife.”

We don’t look to change the absolute sacredness of the holy marriage rite, but to make Holy Matrimony inclusive of all people who seek to express their love and devotion and commitment in public, in this way.

Many folks of many different beliefs will tell you that to take away the “man and woman” concept of marriage is to make it sacrilegious. Instead, the sacrilege lies more in any person’s want to stand in the way of any two people celebrating love and unity. The most un-Christian thing that any self-professed Christian can do is to say no to love.

How different those Christians’ lives would be if, one day long ago on a lonely hill named “the skull,” one man had said, “No. I’d rather not.”

A Wedding Prayer for Our People

(I have added a parenthetical phrase at the end for Western Christian use as it is typical to state such prayers in Jesus’ name. This phrase can be omitted as desired.)

Our Beloved Friend,
Our healer,
Our companion,

You, whose first miracle happened at the wedding feast, You who called us each into the service of loving others first,

and showed us that through such dedication
we would likewise find love within ourselves,

Come be with us,
stand beside us,
sit among us
at this time of love.

Come attend our wedding feast!

We ask your Blessing rain down on all present here,
no longer observers of this time together,
but participants in the genesis of this new family.

Born from Love.
Upheld in Love.
And withstanding all, by Love.

(In Jesus’ name we offer these words, and seek your Peace and Benediction,)

- Amen

Keep the faith!