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Scripture Readings & Prayers

The reading is selected to add meaning and perspective to your marriage ceremony.  The reading can be read by your officiant or you can invite a loved one up, giving a more personalized touch to your ceremony.  You can choose from the readings below or we can include any other reading that you enjoy the words to of that has meaning to the two of you.


 1 Corinthians 13:4-10


"Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth, it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.  But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.  For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.  When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.  When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.  Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.
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John 15:9-17


"I have loved you even as the Father has loved me.  Remain in my love.  When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy.  Yes, your joy will overflow!  I command you to love
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Mark 10:9


“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."each other in the same way that I love you.  And here is how to measure it -- the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.
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Matthew 19:4-6


"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will beome one flesh'?' So they are no loner two, but one flesh.  Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."
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Song of Solomon 4:9


“You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace."
 
Song of Solomon 8:6-7


Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave.  It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.  Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.  If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.

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Opening Prayer #1


This marriage is a serious covenant made before God and before all of us as witnesses, in acknowledgment of its Holy Purposes and the power of the occasion let us pray...  
God of Love, who gives us the longing for, and capability of loving, we give you thanks for __________ and ___________, for their open hearts and willing spirits, and for the example of love that they embody here in our presence.  Be with them on this joyous occasion of showing their love and making their vows; and be with us their witnesses, that we may all be changed by what is said and witnessed here.
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Opening Prayer #2


Our Father, love has been your richest and greatest gift to the world. Love between a man and woman which matures into marriage is one of your most beautiful types of loves. Today we celebrate that love. May your blessing be on this wedding service. Protect, guide, and bless ____________ and ______________ in their marriage. Surround them and us with your love now and always. Amen
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Opening Prayer #3

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Thank you, God, for the beautiful bond of love that exists between _____________ and ____________.

Thank you for this wedding ceremony with family, friends and loved ones. We are grateful for your presence with us here today and for your divine blessing on this holy event, the marriage day of _____________ and ______________. Amen.

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Opening Prayer #4

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Family, friends, and love ones, let us pray together. Gracious Father God, we give you thanks for your gift of enduring love and your presence here with us now as we witness the vows of marriage between _____________ and _____________. We ask you to bless this couple in their union and throughout their life together as husband and wife. Keep and guide them from this day forward. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Opening Prayer #5


Let us bow our heads in prayer. Lord, we thank you for gathering everyone here today. We ask that you help Max and Erin to remember the strong love that they share. To work that love into practical things so that nothing can divide them. May their love always inspire them to be kind in their words, considerate of the other’s feelings, and concerned for the other’s needs and wishes. Increase their faith and trust in You. Bless their marriage with peace and happiness and make their Love fruitful for Your glory and their joy, both here and in eternity. Amen
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The Lord's Prayer #6


Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy Kingdom come.  Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day, our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, For thine is the kingdom, and the power and then glow, forever, Amen.  
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Apache Wedding Prayer


Now you will feel no rain,
for each of you will be shelter for the other.  
Now you will feel no cold,
for each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there will be no loneliness,
for each of you will be companion to the other. 
Now you are two persons, but there are three lives before you:  his life, her life and your life together.
Go now to your dwelling place to enter into your days together.
And may all your days be good and long upon the Earth.
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"A Marriage Prayer" by Bud Henry Bowmen


Bless this marriage, O God, as __________ and ___________ begin their journey down the road of life together.
We don't know what lies ahead for the road turns and bends.  but help them to make the best of whatever comes their way.  
Help them to hug each other often...laugh a lot, talk more, and argue less.
Help them to continue to enjoy each other as they did when they first met.
Help them to realize that nothing nor no one is perfect and to look for the good in all things and all people including themselves.
Help them to respect each other's likes and dislikes, opinion and beliefs, hopes and dreams and fears even though they may not always understand them.
Help them to learn from each other and to help each other to grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Help them to realize that there is design and purpose in their lives as in the world and no matter what happens to them they will hold on to each other and know that things have a way of working out for the good.
Help them to create for their children a peaceful, stable home of love as a foundation on which they can build their lives.
But most of all, dear God, help them to keep lit the torch of love' that they now share in their hearts so that by their loving example they may pass on the light of love to their children and to their children's children forever.

Amen​

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"The Prayer" St. Francis of Assisi

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Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, union;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, Grant that we may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen
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"Blessing For A Marriage"

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May your marriage bring you all the exquisite excitements a marriage should bring, and may life grant you also patience, tolerance, and understanding.
May you always need one another - not so much to fill your emptiness as to help you know your fullness.
A mountain needs a valley to be complete;
the valley does not make the mountain less but more;
and the valley is more a valley
because it has a mountain towering over it.
So let it be with you and you.
May you need one another, but not out of weakness.

May you want one another, but not out of lack.

May you entice one another, but not compel one another.

May you succeed in all important ways with one another, and not fail in the little graces.

May you look for things to praise, often say, "I love you!" and take no notice of small faults.

If you have quarrels that push you apart, may both of you hope to have good sense enough to take the first step back.

May you enter into the mystery which is the awareness of one another's presence - no more physical than spiritual, warm and near when you are side by side, and warm and near when you are in separate rooms or even distant cities.

May you have happiness, and may you find it making one another happy.

May you have love, and may you find it loving one another!​

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"Irish Blessing" 


May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
May God be with you and bless you;
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings,
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.
May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you​​

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Prayer at Vow Renewal Ceremony 


Gracious Lord our hearts are filled with great happiness as _________ and __________ renewal their marriage vows and today reaffirm their faith and love for one another. Grant that they may ever be true and loving, living together in a bond of happiness. Temper their hearts with kindness and understanding, rid them of all pretense or jealousy. Help them to remember to be each other's sweetheart, helpmate, friend and guide, so that together they may meet the cares and problems of life more bravely. And with the passage of time, may they find great contentment in the rich joy of senior companionship. May the home they are reaffirming today truly be a place of love and harmony, where Your Spirit is always present. Bless this marriage we pray and walk beside _________ and __________ throughout all of their lives together. Amen
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"Grateful"


Let us be grateful for the capacity to see, feel, hear, and understand.     
Let us be grateful for this incredible gift of life. 
Let us be especially grateful for the ties of love which bind us together, 
giving dignity, meaning, worth and joy to all our days.  
This is indeed a day which the Lord has made.  
Let us rejoice in it and be glad, and let us count our many blessings.​

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"Wedding Prayer"


Lord, behold our family here assembled.
We thank you for this place in which we dwell,
for the love that unites us,
for the peace accorded us this day,
for the hope with which we expect the morrow,
for the health, the work, the food,
and the bright skies that make our lives delightful;
for our friends in all parts of the earth.
Amen
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"The Prayer"


Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, union;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, Grant that we may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen
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"Marriage Prayer #1"


Father in heaven, 
You ordained marriage for your children, and you gave us love.
We present to You _________ and ___________, who come this day to be married. 
May the covenant of love they make be blessed with true devotion and spiritual commitment. 
We ask that You, God, will give them the ability to keep the covenant they have made. 
When selfishness shows itself, grant generosity; when mistrust is a temptation, give moral strength; when there is misunderstanding, give patience and gentleness;
if suffering becomes a part of their lives, give them a strong faith and an abiding love. 
Amen.
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"Marriage Prayer #2"


Gracious God, richly bless ______________ and _____________ in the promises that they have made to each other. Grant that the courtesies, the thoughtfulness, and the self giving which already have laid the foundation for their love, build the home which is raised on it. May they be loyal and engaging companions to each other, and may they be loving and wise parents. And in this world where there is much disillusion and disappointment...where love brings delight and also wounding in the frailty of our ways...make them a visible symbol of the love that does not wane when the evening comes but is fresh with each new day. And as you bless this special couple this day, bless each union represented here. Forgive us where we have not been good news and glad days for each other. Perfect our imperfect love with the joy that comes from above, and may we grow ourselves and grow in affirmation of the other. May the Lord bless you and take care of you: May the Lord be kind and gracious to you: May the Lord look on you with favour and give you peace.
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