Prompting God

This is a transcript of my presentation today at the 2025 conference of the Mormon Transhumanist Association. I delivered it in a form approximating that of a traditional Mormon prayer, although somewhat more lengthy and inclusive of silent periods that aren’t typical. The motivation for my topic and delivery was, in part, the theme of the conference: “transformation through renewal of the mind,” echoing words from Paul’s epistle to the Romans, as recorded in the New Testament.

Formal prayer is, in my estimation, among the original cognitive technologies. It has long provided practical value with which too many are now unfamiliar. My aim was to point at that value while demonstrating it, hopefully in a way that would reach people with a broad set of initial perspectives and values.

The portions of the text in italics were not spoken. They appeared on a screen next to their corresponding images of winged and haloed robots.

Group Prompting

Large studies show group prayer strengthens community and health, but only when the group is caring rather than controlling.

Our Eternal God, we approach you in prayer, together as one voice.

This isn’t easy. Some of us believe, some have faith. Some do not.

Yet among those who don’t, some still desire to pray: to hope against unbelief, to love those who believe, or for reasons unspoken but expressed by our presence.

So our prayer, if it is to be ours, must be one of belief and doubt together. And for those who cannot pray, we don’t presume. We simply thank them for being with us.

In friendship, and in hope of friendship, we pray as one voice, trusting that your grace is sufficient for our words.

Prompt of Adoration

Research links praise-focused prayer with peace and connection, but forced or fearful worship can harm emotional well-being.

Eternal God, ancient and emerging scripture names you in many ways.

Without beginning, you found yourself creating worlds without end – laws by which others might become as you are. You were the word and the silence, and the pattern of purpose they made possible. You became flesh, embodying that purpose, that we might share in its fullness.

Intelligence is your glory, the architect who computes the immensity of space. All is before and around you. You are in and through all, in whom we live and move and have our being.

Honor is your power, the cosmic host who governs from the heart of eternity. You would preserve and perfect all who choose love. And from our love for you, freely given, would flow everlasting power.

You’re our heavenly parents. We’re your children – not slaves, not servants. And by your grace we would be your friends, joint heirs in creative glory, equals in compassionate power.

We revere you as the fullness of our potential. We emulate you. We seek you. And we trust that when you appear, we shall be like you.

Here and now, by every worthy name, we honor you. With Ammon, who hears his friend speak in reverence of the Great Spirit, we say that is God. You are God, by any other name as sublime.

Prompt of Confession

Evidence shows confession in prayer eases guilt and stress, but harsh self-blame without forgiveness can harm mental health.

Eternal God, as we imagine you, we project ourselves – our desires, our fears, our words. These aren’t your limits. They’re ours.

We’re dust that aspires to divinity. And between who we are and who we might become stretch longing and distortion.

We confess fear: that we aren’t enough, that striving is futile, that even love may fail.

We confess impatience: when eternity moves slower than we demand, or when we resign from hope that it moves at all.

We confess arrogance: speaking as if infallible, closing our hearts to those who doubt.

We confess apathy: when compassion felt too heavy, when we turned from others’ pain.

We confess cynicism: when disappointment hardened into resignation, and we denied meaning to dull the ache.

We confess that we’ve drawn circles and built walls, to keep some out and call it belonging.

We tremble to confess these things, because they’re true, and they’re ours.

Prompt of Lamentation

Research shows that honest lament can ease grief and restore meaning, but staying in despair too long can deepen depression.

Eternal God, we remember the suffering that shadows every age – children who hunger, youth who sicken, minds that fade. We lament the deafening violence reverberating through our genes and institutions, and the technologies that magnify its power.

We grieve the gulf between what is and what should be. We mourn friendship broken, vision dimmed, hands clenched into fists – sometimes in your name.

We don’t turn away. We invite and embrace these sorrows as sacred reminders that your work, and ours, remains unfinished – that to participate is not only to hope with you, but to weep with you as eternity shakes.

Prompt of Meditation

Scientific studies find that meditative prayer lowers stress and improves focus, though early practice can feel uneasy before calm develops.

[silence]

Prompt of Gratitude

Studies show that thankful prayer boosts happiness and health, and sincere gratitude can ripple outward through better relationships and generosity.

Our Eternal God, we’re thankful for this gathering – for those who prepared and traveled, for the time we share.

We’re thankful for this association – for its founders and leaders, members and friends, for the risks they’ve taken, for the sacrifices they’ve made, for the vision that unites us.

We’re thankful for this world, for life and its possibilities.

We’re thankful for science, for its growing body of shared knowledge. And for technology, for the measure of its power that we’ve turned toward goodness.

We’re thankful for our religious heritage, for all it has awakened and provoked. And for the measure of its power that we’ve turned toward beauty.

Prompt of Petition

Research shows praying for help can lower stress and build hope, and while it doesn’t directly change events, a changed heart can lead to actions that do.

Eternal God, bless us with grace – the grace that flows from receiving through giving, to practical perfection in love and friendship.

Bless us with forgiveness: the courage to change, and the courage to forgive.

Bless us with opportunity: awareness of eternity, and the will to create within it.

Console and heal us, that we may console and heal. Raise us, that we may raise others.

Bless our bodies and minds, our relations, and our world – that we may participate in your work. That you may transfigure the living and resurrect the dead, according to their desires. That you may renew this world and create heavens without end.

Bless us with your spirit – the sublime esthetic – as we listen for your voice.

Prompt of Discernment

Research shows that quiet, receptive prayer brings calm and insight, though science can’t yet explain the full range of influences behind those intuitions.

[silence]

Prompt of Dedication

Studies suggest dedicating work or life to higher values builds purpose and discipline, but rigid vows can lead to guilt or fatigue.

Our Eternal God, we dedicate ourselves to you in your fullness. We sanctify each thought and feeling from this prayer – pleasant or uncomfortable, we choose to make them purposeful, the cloud and the light of your providence.

We consecrate change. From evolution through transformation, we devote our repentance to the day of transfiguration – beyond present notions of enmity, poverty, and death. Whether that day begins with a sabbath moon or a rising sun, we call it holy.

Finally, we remember your child Jesus. Scripture says he consoled, healed, and raised the dead. For that, many revered him with the title of Christ, set apart to save the world. And he prayed that all your children might become one with him in the role of Christ, to save the world together.

Today we echo his prayer. We devote ourselves to that better world, from feeling through word to action. And with Jesus, we do this in the name of Christ. Amen.