Prayer for Daily Use

Week of December 2

 

The Vast Ocean Begins Just Outside Our Church:

The Eucharist

 

Something has happened to the bread and the wine.

They have been blessed. What now? The body leans forward

to receive the gift from the priest’s hand, then the chalice.

They are something else now from what they were

before this began.

I want to see Jesus, maybe in the clouds

or on the shore, just walking, beautiful man

and clearly someone else besides.

On the hard days I ask myself If I ever will.

Also there are times my body whispers to me that I have.

 

~ Mary Oliver

 

 

Posted on December 4, 2012 at 12:19 pm in Prayer for Daily Use.

Week of November 25

 

Watch now O Christ

With those who are weary

or wandering

or weeping this night.

Guide them to a house

of your peace

And lead me to be caring

for their tears.

 

Celtic Prayers from Iona ~ J. Philip Newell

 

Posted on November 20, 2012 at 12:50 pm in Prayer for Daily Use.

Week of November 4

 

All Saints Sunday

You have blessed us

with saints all of our lives,
God of the ages:
those who put up with us,
and those who prepared us for discipleship;
those who have touched us with their compassion,
and those who illumine the way for us.

You surround us with saints,
even when we don't recognize
or much less appreciate them,
Spirit of wonder:
some live down the corner  from us,
while others are on the other side of the world;
some run to catch the leaves spiraling to the ground,
while others make a meal for a sick neighbor's family.

For all the saints of every age, especially ours,
we give You our gratitude and praise,
God in Community, Holy in One. Amen.

Posted on November 1, 2012 at 8:15 am in Prayer for Daily Use.

Week of October 28

 

 

This day and this night,

may I know O God

the deep peace

of the running wave

the deep peace

of the flowing air

the deep peace

of the quiet earth

the deep peace

of the shining stars

the deep peace

of the Son of Peace.

From “Celtic Prayers from Iona” by J. Philip Newell

 

Posted on October 25, 2012 at 9:51 am in Prayer for Daily Use.

Week of October 21

 

There is a really deep well inside me. And in it dwells God.  

Sometimes I am there too.  

But more often stones and grit block the well,

and God is buried beneath.  

Then God must be dug out again.  

(Etty Hillesum)

 

Posted on October 18, 2012 at 9:25 am in Prayer for Daily Use.

Week of October 14

 

Let us try to be holy and useful,

Let us strive to repair the world given to us to hand on.

Let us lift each other on our shoulders and

carry each other along.

Let us see the light in others and honor that light.

Let holiness move in us.

Praise the light that shines before us, through us, after us.

Amen.

 

Posted on October 16, 2012 at 11:19 am in Prayer for Daily Use.

week of October 7

 

Because I am a person involved in practical cares, I cannot give the first half of the day to these things but must meditate when I can, early in the morning and on the fly during the day. Not in the privacy of a study — but here, there and everywhere — at the kitchen table, on the train, on the ferry, on my way to and from appointments and even while making supper or putting the kids to bed.

 

Posted on October 4, 2012 at 10:36 am in Prayer for Daily Use.

Week of September 30

 

Dear God, I give you may hands to do Your work; I give You my feet to go Your way; I give You my eyes to see as You see; I give You my tongue to speak Your words; I give You my mind that You may think in me; I give You my spirit that You may pray in me. Above all, I give You my heart that You may love in me – love God and love all humankind. I give You my whole self, God, that You may grow in me, so that it is You who lives, works and prays in me. Amen.

 

Posted on September 27, 2012 at 9:36 am in Prayer for Daily Use.

Week of September 16

 

May you recognize in your life the presence,
power and light of your soul. 

May you realize that you are never alone,
that your soul in its brightness and belonging 
connects you intimately with the rhythm of the universe.

May you have respect for your individuality and difference.

May you realize that the shape of your soul is unique,
that you have a special destiny here,
that behind the facade of your life
there is something beautiful and eternal happening.

May you learn to see your self
with the same delight,
pride, and expectation
with which God sees you in every moment.


by: John O'Donohue

 

Posted on September 12, 2012 at 3:03 pm in Prayer for Daily Use.

Week of September 9

 

Lord, be with us this day,

Within us to purify us;

Above us to draw us up;

Beneath us to sustain us;

Before us to lead us;

Behind us to restrain us;

Around us to protect us.

 

                             ~ St. Patrick

 

Posted on September 5, 2012 at 11:20 am in Prayer for Daily Use.

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