About Nondenominational Grace

Nondenominational grace refers to prayers that are performed before gatherings of people from various Christian denominations. Grace is voiced in ways that conform to general, rather than specific, Christian principles. Nondenominational grace carefully avoids inclusion of terms that specify any particular Christian denomination.

Significance

Ecumenism is an effort among Christian churches to create unity in what often are fractured denominational relations. Because Christianity, like most other religious traditions, has so many denominations that differ in practice but not in devotion to general Christian principles and theology, it is commonly practiced that prayers before groups of mixed denominations should use language that neither supports nor ignores any Christian sect. Nondenominational grace or prayers are also called ecumenical prayers, and they affirm every denomination's inherent Christian value and dignity.

Function

When people of various Christian denominations, such as Catholics, Baptists and Episcopalians, gather for a common meal, someone will lead with grace. Such a prayer will not refer to any particular Christian denomination, nor will the prayer's phrasing use any one denomination's particular language. The purpose of nondenominational prayers is to express respect for every denomination and to avoid a sense of exclusion or exclusivity (that one denomination is superior to any other).

Features

Nondenominational grace, like any other nondenominational prayer, will recognize central Christian principles and avoid any references to particular Christian sects. For example, Jesus Christ will be addressed, and a prayer of grace will conclude to the effect, "In Jesus' name we pray." Grace might begin with a statement such as "Heavenly Father." Since the prayer is at the beginning of a meal, the leader will ask God, the Father, to bless all those who are assembled and will express gratitude for the food that they are about to enjoy. Nondenominational grace also might include a request that all gathered will recognize their unity as followers of Christ and their common goal to bring together the world into the family of faithful Christians.

Effects

The intended effect of all ecumenical prayer is Christian unity. The intention of nondenominational grace is to bring into the minds and hearts of those who pray a sense of Christian unity and to help to break down the barriers that have caused division among Christians. Grace particularly is intended to raise awareness that it is God's grace, God's gift to Christians, to unify, not divide, faithful Christians.

Expert Insight

Since the earliest centuries of Christianity, the religion has experienced schisms (breaks), which continue into contemporary times. In some cases, major schisms have been accompanied by war, and the irony of that is not lost on Christian leaders and the faithful. In less-violent ways, breaks within Christianity cause enormous animosity and anathemas, which means consignments to hell. Shouts and whispers of "Heretic!" and "Blasphemer!" rumble in Christian pews around the globe. Ecumenical or nondenominational prayers are central attempts to rebuild bridges, some ancient, allowing discourse among Christian sects. While positive and certainly well-intentioned, such prayers have not yet led to any significant reconciliations among factions. Additionally, not all Christian churches seek ecumenical unity (see Resources).

Resources

• World Council of Churches: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
• Cath News: No to Ecumenical Prayer