Seva Transforms Tragedy to Miracles

In the wake of September 11th, 2001, Siri Kaur Khalsa-Harris felt moved to suggest to the Eugene Sikh Dharma community council to start a monthly Interfaith Prayer service. Along with Snatam Kaur, Siri Kaur contacted a local interfaith group and proposed a monthly interfaith service. Several leader from diverse spiritual paths were willing to assist the manifestation of these monthly services, the first of which was held on October 11, 2001. Now known as Interfaith Prayer Service International (IPSI), this group has expanded to have its own non-profit status and has just completed 121 consecutive monthly prayer services on October 11th, 2011.

It has even inspired other communities to do the same. On September 12, 2011 IPSI received an Award of Excellence for it dedication and committed efforts to preserve religious diversity, promote interfaith harmony and foster mutual respect among religions from an internationally renowned Vedic monk, Sadhiji Chaitana. Apprised of these monthly services, Siri Singh Sahib Ji responded saying “watch how the Hand of God works.” So, although these services were not expected to last more than a few months, by God’s grace, they continue to be a profound experience for 250 to 500 people of all faiths, ages and walks of life, each month. With improved opportunities for seva, Sikh’s participate with religious, civic and educational organizations to the benefit of all (Sarbat da Bala). Siri Kaur Khalsa recently wrote a column in the Eugene paper about this effort. In this she stated:

“In the aftermath of 9/11, Sikhs have been in real danger. With every breath, we live with courage in the face of adversity, by Guru’s instruction, “I am sheltered by the divine.” I have always been very shy and introverted, but with the world reeling in shock and pain, I was able to keep my promise and bravely suggest the importance and need to unite all faiths under God with consistent interfaith prayer services. In a vision I was privileged to receive in 1996, I was informed that if we served selflessly to uplift and heal, we would receive divine assistance.”

The Divine Vision as received by Siri Kaur Khalsa

(on which the Interfaith Services are based)

1: “Start and keep consistent monthly interfaith services to:

• a) uplift and heal,
• b) build a sacred space of deep respect and appreciation of one another,
• c) raise the level of God’s Power through unity while celebrating diversity,
• d) encourage the demonstration of compassion which can lessen the stranglehold of fear and intolerance on the world,
• e) build a God-conscious platform of cooperation, trust and goodwill others will want to emulate,
• f) provide a venue for the common good of all, leaving aside personal agendas, proselytizing and politics.”

2: “Pray, meditate, sing and chant in all faith traditions and all languages to improve our relationship (personal and collective) with God because there are:

• a) too many wars in the name of God,
• b) too many blaming God for the ills of the world,
• c) too many feeling it is their duty to impress their idea of God on others,
• d) too many separated from the earth God provided for us,
• e) too many separated from God, the creator of all, and the Divinity we all are.”

Purpose Statement for the Interfaith Prayer Services

Interfaith Prayer Service provides a special occasion to pray for peace, remember our loved ones, reflect upon the interconnectedness of all beings, and to uplift our hearts and minds. Its purpose is to bring together people from different faith communities in the spirit of harmony and growing appreciation, and to nurture confidence on the universal power of love and unity for all.

 Mission Statement

We, the coordinators of Interfaith Prayer Service International, shall serve the consciousness and well-being of our local and greater humanity with love and commitment. We shall use and share our unique gifts and resources to manifest and keep the integrity of the Divine Vision for these monthly services while honoring and deeply respecting the diversity of all faith traditions under God.

As a result of everyone’s selfless seva and because these services celebrate diversity with the grace of unity, we have become a model of respect other communities want to emulate, a unique center of light and hope. By this simple, prayerful demonstration of unity these messages go forth: “we are all One in God” and “we are Greatly Loved”. Told by the Great, loving Presence – these services would not only help our community, but with enough heart, the world. Because of our broadened outreach we joyously hear from people of faith throughout the world wanting to link with us and share ideas.

Long ago, I heard Siri Singh Sahib Ji tell us “you are not your talk or even what you do. You are the attitude you bring to what you do. This is where the real miracles are born”. My heartfelt gratitude to the Eugene Sangat for the honor and support you’ve given to this task God so lovingly placed in our hands. The warmest appreciation to our beloved teacher for the gift of love, life and trust that has made all this possible.

  For more information, visit: www.interfaithprayer.org or click here  to watch a video of the prayer service.