Almighty God, You have created this good world in which we find ourselves, help us so to live that our gratitude and thanksgiving may be self-evident daily. We invoke Your grace upon us with common purpose symbolized in our Rotary motto: They profit most who serve best! Grant us such visions of Your nature and the needs of our fellow human beings that we may give ourselves in service as did He who affirmed: "I came not to be served but to serve" ... So strengthen our bodies with this food and fellowship here at these tables that we may go forth to achieve our common goal of Service Above Self. Amen.
Carl Forshee, Albert Lea Rotary
Lauded by Your name, 0 my God! I entreat You by the fragrances of the Raiment of Your grace which at Your bidding and in conformity with Your desire were diffused throughout the entire creation, and by the Day-Star of Your will that has shone brightly, through the power of Your might and of Your sovereignty, above the horizon of Your mercy, to blot out from my heart all idle fancies and vain imaginings, that with all my affections I may turn unto You, Lord of all mankind!
I am Your servant. My God! I have laid hold on the handle of Your grace, and clung to the cord of Your tender mercy. Ordain for me the good things that are with You, and nourish me from the table of Your bounty and the heaven of Your favor.
You, in very truth, art the Lord of the worlds, and the God of all that are in heaven and all that are on earth.
Traz Akhavan, M.D., Alexandria Rotary
Great God, You have certainly been good to us. You have opened Your heart to us in love. May Your hand of mercy rest upon us and give us Your good gifts. Bless this food to our use, and our Rotary members in service to our community. We thank You for the visiting Rotarians and guests. May You lift their spirits and send them on their way with joy. Amen.
Reverend Paul A. Ranum, Alexandria Rotary
For life, for health, and for the privilege of joining in this spirit of Rotary fellowship, we are humbly thankful. Thank You for the food of which we are about to partake; bless it to our use and us to Your service. Amen.
Ed Usem, Austin Rotary
Almighty God, we remember You not often enough, but always gratefully. We remember You now, and lift to You our thanks for Your continuing love and care. As You are ever generous to us, 0 God, providing for the needs both of our bodies and our spirits, help us to be ever generous toward one another, serving one another in Your name. Amen.
Reverend Robert A. Morgan, Austin Rotary
Gracious God, as we reflect on the hope and renewal of this beautiful midwestern spring, the meal that we have shared together, the fellowship of this club and the opportunities it offers us to help others, let us add our voices to the words of the Psalmist who said, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!" Amen.
Craig W. Johnson, Austin Rotary
0 God of whom it was said long ago that You set the solitary into families, that You give good tidings to the afflicted, that You bind up the broken-hearted, that You proclaim liberty to the captives . .. we thank You for setting us into the family of Rotary, and for placing before all of us good opportunities for healing the afflicted, encouraging the broken-hearted, liberating those whose lives are limited unnecessarily. We thank You this day for our food, our fellowship, the vision and the inspiration being promised to us here. We thank You for the joy of serving You together as we work to make our towns, our cities and our world all places where good life can flourish in peace and in mutual understanding. By whatever name each of us calls You, gather our Invocations all together and use them to glorify Yourself and to enrich our spirits. Amen.
Reverend Robert A. Morgan, Austin Rotary
I am growing older.
Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject.
Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody, helpful but not bossy. Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.
Seal my lips on my aches and pains — love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.
Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a Saint . . . some of them are so hard to live with . . . but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.
Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people. And give me grace, 0 Lord, to tell them so! Amen.
(this Invocation was originally taken from the Land O'Lakes Mirror January 1987) I.J. Holton, Austin Rotary
Almighty God, bless us that we might strengthen our hearts and minds, to retain the ideals of Rotary and practice them at all times. Help us bolster our spirits through friendship with acquaintances both old and new, and constantly search for the chance to invite new friends to join with us, too. Let us hold our ethical standards high in our lives, in our homes, in our work; and ever strive to advance goodwill, in our land and all over the earth. Give us strength to serve wherever we're asked, in whatever capacity, and work like the burden lay solely with us, regardless what the cause may be. And grant through our faith in our friends, in our clubs, and in You, that our efforts will help us better our lives, and through our lives, better Rotary. Amen.
Bruce Bergstrom, Austin Rotary
Bless this food to our use, and with the strength which it gives our bodies may our spirits be strengthened to do things for others who need our help. Amen.
George A. Haven, Chatfield Rotary
0 Lord and Creator of us all, we humbly bow before You in supplication. We ask Your blessing on our homes and Your guidance to each one during the hours of this day.
Help us to realize Your nearness to us at this hour. May we realize Your reality and be conscious of the fact that You are not a God far off, but close and dear to each one of us. Give us this day, some work to do for others, some kindly words to speak, some helpful, unselfish deed to fulfill in Your Name.
Be with us each and every hour of this day. May we so live that Your will may be done and Your Kingdom established within our hearts. Amen.
R.R. Anderson, Sr., Belle Plaine Rotary
ON THIS DAY
On this day, Lord, help us to Mend a quarrel,
Search out a forgotten friend, Dismiss a suspicion and replace it with trust, Write a letter to someone who misses us, Encourage a Youth who has lost faith, Keep a promise, Forget an old grudge, Examine our demands on others and vow to reduce them, Fight for a principle, Express our gratitude, Overcome an old fear, Take a few minutes to appreciate the beauty of nature, Tell someone we love them. Tell them again, and again. Amen.
From Success Unlimited, Bruce Hutchins, Bloomington Rotary
We thank You for this opportunity of Rotary fellowship and service. We ask You to bless this food to our use ... us to Your service . . . and keep us ever mindful of the needs of others.
Walt Ellingson, Edina Rotary
We thank You, 0 Lord, for the provisions You have set before us this day. Make us be aware of each blessing, and help us to be faithful in giving thanks for them. Keep us alert to the needs of those within our sphere of influence, and willing to be of help. Give us compassion and charity, that we may be an example to humanity. Amen.
Fred Walton, Buffalo Rotary
ALMIGHTY GOD
We praise You for Your goodness to us and for the fact that Your mercy endureth forever.
Make this day worthwhile, not only in our relation to society, but also for the promotion of Your Kingdom in this world. Bless this food to our good and may we ever be conscious of our responsibility in service to You forever. Amen.
Dr. F.O. Nelson, Buffalo Rotary
Most gracious God, the gifts You have bestowed upon us are more than we could ask for. We thank You for the freedom of fellowship available in this room; we thank You for the food available to nourish our physical needs. We can only pray we would have the strength to direct our talents in Your service. Help us to keep our minds centered on Your will that we may forget our own selfish desires. Amen.
Jerry G. Hawkins, Chatfield Rotary
Today as we meet in Rotary fellowship, we cannot help but be reminded of our innumerable blessings, blessings which we all too often take for granted when we do so little to deserve them.
We should be especially thankful for living in this great land; for the many opportunities available to each of us, among them being privileged to belong to a Rotary Club.
Bless us to Your service and this food as strength for our bodies.
Walt. W. Welchlin, Fairmont Rotary
Dear Lord, whose mercies are new every day, we entreat You on behalf of each one present at this gathering. We are thankful for the many friendships that have been established through a participation in Rotary, and for the fellowship of this hour. We pray that truly our aim might be to serve others and that our motto, Service Above Self, might be a guiding factor in the accomplishing of this goal. When we realize the unnumbered multitudes of people who are down-trodden, troubled, discouraged and forsaken, we should be more thankful than ever that we are permitted to have the many blessings received. As we are about to partake of the food set before us, may we express our thanks for the provisions made for our physical needs. May the food be for the strengthening of our bodies and we, in turn, be strengthened for greater service to humanity. May the peace of God which passes all understanding abide with each of us. Amen.
Reverend Alrik A. Blomquist, Cokato Rotary
0 God, for the freedom of thought and peace, the love of friends and family, and the opportunity for service through our Rotary Fellowship, we give You thanks. Bless this food for our use and accept our gratitude for Your great gifts. Amen.
Reverend Gordon Patterson, Fairmont Rotary
0 Lord, keep us ever grateful for Your gifts of life, love, and service and guide us toward the fulfillment of Your will. Bless our fellowship and this food that through them we might honor You more and serve society with greater conviction and affection. Amen.
Reverend Gordon Patterson, Fairmont Rotary
We come here together that we might be of greater service to our community. Keep us open so we may listen, share and affirm. Bless this time, food and fellowship together that we might go forth resolved to put Service Above Self. Amen.
E. Richard Engstrom, Jr., Fairmont Rotary
Our Almighty God, we thank You for the privilege in meeting in Rotary Fellowship. We thank You for the privilege of living in this wonderful community. Bless this food to our use. Amen.
Loren Aistrope, Fairmont Rotary
Lord, here we are from office, hospital, shop, bank, stores and school. Lord, thank You for the minds of all; thank You even more for those who use their minds. Lord, guide me to help all to better understand the mind You have given us to use, while we continue in search for better ways to use and understand the mind You have provided each of us. Amen.
Bill Johnson, Waco, Texas Rotary
submitted by R. Wayne Provart, Fridley
Some have meat and cannot eat, Some can eat and have no meat, We can eat and we have meat, For this we thank You. Amen.
A delightful paraphrase of Bobby Burns' Scottish Table Invocation submitted by Reverend W.R. Fegan, Gaylord Rotary
God, we acknowledge that we are no longer green behind the ears, or innocent tender leaves in the woods of life.
Nonetheless, as long as we still take in sunlight and partake in the life sharing process, give us the grace to flutter faithfully in the winds of change, so that the whole network of family and community may be strengthened through us.
Keep us from becoming disconnected, dried out, crisp and brittle. Keep us fit for all seasons. Amen.
Reverend James Lauer, Glencoe Rotary
0 God, another day has been given to us, and we acknowledge Your presence in it. We are grateful for the happy privileges this day has brought, for the opportunities of joy and service which may have been given us. As Rotarians, we pause to remember that You are important to us and our world. Grant now, as we complete this day, to seek consciously to do Your will and help us to fulfill the ideals and responsibilities You have given Rotarians the world over. To You we pray, Amen.
Reverend Lasse J. Stohl, Hopkins Rotary
For food and strength and every good, we give You thanks, 0 God. For friends and life and tasks to do, we give You praise, 0 God. Bless our fellowship here today, and help us as Rotarians everywhere to show ourselves understanding of each other, and ever eager to encourage peace and tranquility and goodwill among all people. Amen.
Reverend Lasse J. Stohl, Hopkins Rotary
Almighty God . . . We come before You this day as a service organization. Help us to be servants to society and to serve all who live in this community. Help us to be willing to serve our fellow human beings even though it may cause us some suffering. We ask You to guide and direct our club to go on and do a job that will be well pleasing to You and meet the various needs that arise in our community so that Your name would be glorified. Amen.
Reverend Harvey C. Junker, Glenwood Rotary
Lord, We ask that You give us the ability to remember the "Right" things about our friends; we recognize that all too often we remember the two "Wrong" items and push aside and/or take for granted the ninety-eight qualities of the "good life" as shown to us by our fellow workers, our fellow Rotarians and society. We further thank You for allowing us to share fellowship with those present with us here today. Amen.
Chaplain John Graff, Janesville Rotary
Let us pray that strength and courage be abundantly given to all who work for the world of reason and understanding, that the good that lies in every heart may day by day be magnified; that all will come to see more clearly not that which divides us, but that which unites; and that each hour may bring us closer to a final victory, not of nation over nation, but each person over his or her own evils and weaknesses; that the true spirit of this meeting ... its joy, its beauty, its hope . . . and above all, its abiding faith . . . may live among us; that the blessing of peace be ours . . . the peace to build and grow, to live in harmony and sympathy with others, and to plan for the future with confidence. Amen.
W.G. Heiting, Hudson Rotary
God, we thank You for the gift of Your presence which brings meaning to our lives and lifts us beyond selfish and momentary goals. Let our Rotary fellowship reflect genuine respect and concern for one another. May our Club reach out to be of real service to the many others whom You love. Give grace to those who lead u
David Allard
