Spoiler THEORY: The Ceremonial Prayer is about SS Link.

[Moblinking5000]

Many people have different interpretations of the nods to other games. Some people say that they are all referring to the other games not from a meta perspective, but also from a historical perspective, requiring a convergence, or that they're referring to other events that are similar, or that they're hypotheticals.

Personally, my theory currently is that the ceremony is speaking about SS Link. Let's look at the nods and see if they match up:

Skyward bound: Duh.

Circulating through time: Timeshift Stones.

Steeped in the glowing embers of Twilight: Silent Realms; interestingly, Dusk Relics are mostly found there, and Tasogare, the JP word used in the BotW ceremony, can mean ''dusk'', as well. A definition of Twilight is also, ''a faint light'', which fits the Silent Realm.

Cross the seas: Lanayru Sand Sea.

In search of the gold of the gods: You get the complete Triforce in the game, making SS one of the few Links(along with ALttP Link, ALBW/TFH Link, and LoZ/AoL Link) to do so.

Also, doesn't it make even more sense to make the ceremony about the bond that the MS has with the Spirit of the Hero if it's about the hero who founded that bond?

 

[Spiritual Mask Salesman]

I like this take, it's pretty solid in my opinion.

 

[Dizzi]

what prayer??

 

[Spiritual Mask Salesman]

what prayer??

"Hero of Hyrule, chosen by the sword that seals the darkness. You have shown unflinching bravery and skill in the face of darkness and adversity, and have proven yourself worthy of the blessings of the goddess Hylia. Whether skyward bound, adrift in time, or steeped in the glowing embers of twilight, the sacred blade is forever bound to the soul of the hero."

Zelda's Blessing from the 1st recovered memory "Subdued Ceremony"

 

[Fierce_Deity]

I disagree. I think the first part of the prayer is about different events the Hero has gone through and how the MS was bound to him each time and would be bound to BotW Link no matter what he faces.

During the ceremony Darkuk and Revali have a conversation that suggests it was Darkuk's idea for the ceremony to "anoint" Link. So it's possible that BotW Zelda came up with the prayer. But that still seems like she referencing past, separate events the MS has endured with the Hero's Spirit.

"Hero of Hyrule, chosen by the sword that seals the darkness… You have shown unflinching bravery and skill in the face of darkness and adversity. And have proven yourself worthy of the blessings of the Goddess Hylia. Whether skyward bound, adrift in time, or steeped in the glowing embers of twilight… The sacred blade is forever bound to the soul of the Hero. We pray for your protection… and we hope that—that the two of you will grow stronger together, as one.

Forged in the long-distant past, the sword that seals the darkness… Guardian of Hyrule, ancient steel, forever bound to the hero. In the name of Goddess Hylia, I bless you and your chosen hero. Over the seas of time and distance, when we need the golden power of the Goddess… Our hope rests in you, to be forever by the hero's side. Again we pray…that the two of you will grow stronger…and be together as one"

"Also, doesn't it make even more sense to make the ceremony about the bond that the MS has with the Spirit of the Hero if it's about the hero who founded that bond?"

No, it makes more sense that when discussing the MS and the chosen Hero and how they are forever bound you mention events that show that. She's basically explaining to Link that no matter what, he and MS will be bound to each other. This turns out to be true. Despite being defeated, sleeping for over 100 years and losing his memories he still remained the chosen one.

 

[AlucardDhampir66]

That makes sense. I think it definitely makes more sense than it referencing a bunch of Links supposedly from different timelines.