Atascadero church spreads the load with prayer flags

Atascadero News photo courtesy of Susan Brecht • Joanne Ferry, Debbie McPherson and Omar McPherson visit the Community Church of Atascadero United Church of Christ’s ice cream booth at Charles Paddock Zoo to write out a prayer on a flag.

ATASCADERO — Community Church of Atascadero United Church of Christ Pastor Susan Brecht and friends stumbled upon an old idea to breathe new life into prayer — not to mention spreading a little hope and not a few smiles.

Prayer flags.

Brecht said the idea is that anybody can write a prayer on a flag. Eventually, the flags will be on display at the church, 5850 Rosario Avenue in Atascadero. There is no limit to the number of prayers a person can make or what the content of the prayers must be.

The prayer flag tradition has a long continuous history dating back to ancient Tibet, China, Persia and India.

They have been used to promote peace, compassion, strength and wisdom.

The Tibetan phrase for prayer flag is Dar Cho. “Dar” means to increase life, fortune, health and wealth. “Cho” means all sentient beings. They are to be hung with the attitude “May all beings everywhere receive benefit and find happiness.”

Ancient Buddhist prayers, mantras and powerful symbols displayed on them produce a spiritual vibration that is activated and carried by the wind across the countryside. All beings that are touched by the wind are uplifted and a little happier. The silent prayers are blessings spoken on the breath of nature. Just as a drop of water can permeate the ocean, prayers dissolved in the wind extend to fill all of space.

This tradition has made its way west. The Community Church of Atascadero decided to adapt the Tibetan tradition and make it its own. Like the Tibetans, the church considers prayer flags to be holy. So the church has inviting the community to write their own prayers or prayer requests on the flags, including prayers for the community, country and world.

Community Church of Atascadero will have a table at the farmer’s market in Templeton the next two Saturdays, Aug. 4 and 11 from 9 a.m. to noon. Everyone is invited to drop by and write a prayer.

Church members will dedicate the flags in a special service and hang them in front of our church on Sunday, Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. for all to see and read.