Divine ceremonies are the most fundamental sacred observances of faith directed toward God. They retain their extreme importance throughout our lives. These ceremonies are held for the Creator of heaven and earth and other great gods of heaven. If we were to compare faith directed toward God to Mount Fuji, divine ceremonies would be at the summit.
Divine ceremonies are occasions on which we can experience the greatest communion with God. Even though our physical body remains in the physical realm when we attend a divine ceremony, our soul participates in divine rites in the spiritual realm.
Sukuinushisama said that tuning in with God in divine ceremonies is one of three things that are fundamental to faith directed toward God. The other two are participating in the work of God by spreading the Light and teachings and offering other forms of service to God; and practicing the divine principles in our daily life, whether at work, at school, or at home. When we practice all three of these as an inseparable trinity, our lives as children of God are complete.
At monthly ceremonies, members gather at the Sukyo Mahikari center to offer prayers with the center director. We harmonize with the will of God and carry out the following three points:

• We offer gratitude for the limitless protection we have received during the previous month and pray for protection during the coming month.
• We train our souls by receiving the teachings of God, which contain the divine (true) will, and practicing the art of True Light. Moreover, it is important that members throughout the world unite and strive to practice those teachings.
• A report is made of how many new souls who can be of service to God were presented to God in the previous month. That is, a report is made on how expansion is going, and gratitude is offered for the progress achieved. The previous month is reflected upon and analyzed, and plans for the future are discussed.

Holding a true ceremony means that the prayers of the children of God harmonize with the will of God. Thus, it means to bridge the gap between God and human beings, for God and human beings to be in perfect harmony. Ultimately, it means that humanity understands God’s plan so well that He can depend on us to carry it out.

Ceremonies enable as many people as possible to assemble and offer prayers of gratitude for the divine protection they receive each day, to receive intense spiritual Light, and to learn the will of God that they need to strive to fulfill on earth. Herein lies the great significance of holding ceremonies.