Resources for leading inclusive prayer

Image of God Litany by Rev. Jeanne Tyler. "Created in your image, we spill coffee."

Rev. Tyler is a retired United Church of Christ pastor living in Lake Mills, Wisconsin.

Including through Prayer: The August 2011 issue of ADNotes, written by ADNet Field Associate Kathy Dickson, suggests approaches to prayer that includes persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities worshiping alongside persons without a disability.

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Praying the Lord's Prayer as a Body Prayer. Prayer that invites the whole body to be involved in praying. File includes instructions and drawings to guide the worship leader, by Helen Eickmann and Paul Bosch. Microsoft Word Format (docx).

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Signing the Shema in ASL, American Sign Language
"Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One" - A video by Rabbi Darby Jared Leigh

Additional resources on prayer (click on title for preview and ordering information):

Kinesthetic Prayer for the Holy Spirit's Presence, from Friendship Ministries.

"Too Deep for Words: Learning about Prayer from People with Developmental Disabilities." Full-text article by Paula Snyder Belousek. Published in Vision: A Journal for Church and Theology, Fall 2006.

Rhythms of Grace : Worship and Faith Formation for Children and Families with Special Needs. Audrey Scanlan and Linda Snyder. Morehouse Publishing.
Episcopal in heritage and ecumenical in focus, the book outlines specific ideas for developmentally appropriate and experienced-based activities in worship to provide spiritual nurture and meaningful faith formation, with particular sensitivity to the needs of persons with autism spectrum conditions and other developmental disabilities.

Prayer for People Who Can’t Sit Still. William Tenny-Brittian. Chalice Press.
William Tenny-Brittian, an adult who has ADHD, goes back to ancient times and into the techno-generation to share ten types of kinesthetic prayer (prayer that involve the whole body and senses, not just your mind and mouth) that will appeal to even the most fidgety as they seek to connect with God.

Dear Friend in Heaven: Prayers for Children and Adults. Northwestern Publishing House.
A prayer book that can be used by or with children and adults, including those with and without cognitive disabilities. Styles include prose, rebus, personalized prayer, and song.

Awakening Spiritual Dimensions: Prayer Services with Persons with Severe Disabilities. William L. Gillum. Author House.
These somewhat contemplative prayer services use a sensory-based model allowing symbols, sight, sounds, aroma, touch, and people to bring about a sense of the sacred to all who have gathered for prayer.

Find additional worship resources in the comprehensive bibliography Dimensions of Faith and Congregational Ministries with Persons with Developmental Disabilities and their Families. New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Ministries. Free download available from the Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities.