When I see rainbow flags flying this month, I celebrate the spiritual values of the LGBT community and remember the many faces of the queer Christ.

I wrote the following Rainbow Christ Payer with gay theologian Patrick Cheng for LGBT Pride Month. The prayer matches the colors of the rainbow flag with the seven models of the queer Christ, from Patrick's new book From Sin to Amazing Grace: Discovering the Queer Christ.

In our prayer each color also corresponds with a universal spiritual principle that is expressed in LGBT history and culture. In addition, the Rainbow Christ Prayer incorporates the chakras, the seven colored energy centers of the human body in Buddhist and Hindu philosophy.

Let us pray:

Red is for life, the root of spirit. Living and Self-Loving Christ, you are our Root. Free us from shame, and grant us the grace of healthy pride so we can follow our own inner light. With the red stripe in the rainbow, we give thanks that God created us just the way we are.

Orange is for sexuality, the fire of spirit. Erotic Christ, you are our Fire, the Word made flesh. Free us from exploitation, and grant us the grace of mutual relationships. With the orange stripe in the rainbow, kindle a fire of passion in us.

Yellow is for self-esteem, the core of spirit. Out Christ, you are our Core. Free us from closets of secrecy, and give us the guts and grace to come out. With the yellow stripe in the rainbow, build our confidence.

Green is for love, the heart of spirit. Transgressive Outlaw Christ, you are our Heart, breaking rules out of love. In a world obsessed with purity, you touch the sick and eat with outcasts. Free us from conformity, and grant us the grace of deviance. With the green stripe in the rainbow, fill our hearts with untamed compassion for all beings.

Blue is for self-expression, the voice of spirit. Liberator Christ, you are our Voice, speaking out against all forms of oppression. Free us from apathy, and grant us the grace of activism. With the blue stripe in the rainbow, motivate us to call for justice.

Violet is for vision, the wisdom of spirit. Interconnected Christ, you are our Wisdom, creating and sustaining the universe. Free us from isolation, and grant us the grace of interdependence. With the violet stripe in the rainbow, connect us with others and with the whole creation.

Follow this link:

Kittredge Cherry: Rainbow Christ Prayer Honors LGBT Spirituality