Nomads and Pilgrims Prayer Response

The purpose of these prayers is to give people further opportunity to respond in their everyday activity via prayer, per John's message this Sunday (2/27/2005).

This goes along with the Lent 2005 sermon series: "Nomads and Pilgrims" and study guide.

St. Patrick's Breastplate

I gird myself today with the might of heaven:
The rays of the sun,
The beams of the moon,
The glory of fire,
The speed of wind,
The depth of sea,
The stability of earth,
The hardness of rock.

I gird myself today with the power of God:
God's strength to comfort me,
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to lead me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's angels to save me
From the snares of the Devil,
From temptations to sin,
From all who wish me ill,
Both far and near,
Alone and with others.

May Christ guard me today
From poison and fire,
From drowning and wounding,
So my mission may bear
Fruit in abundance.
Christ behind me and before me,
Christ beneath me and above me,
Christ with me and in me,
Christ around me and about me,
Christ on my left and my right,
Christ when I rise in the morning,
Christ when I lie down at night,
Christ in each heart that thinks of me,
Christ in each mouth that speaks of me,
Christ in each eye that sees me,
Christ in each ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through the power of the Trinity
Through faith in the threeness,
Through trust in the oneness,
Of the Maker of the earth,
And maker of heaven.

(Celtic Prayers, p. 46)

Kindling the Fire

This morning, as I kindle the fire upon my hearth, I pray that the flame of God's love may burn in my heart, and the hearts of all I meet today.

I pray that no envy and malice, no hatred or fear, may smother the flame.

I pray that indifference and apathy, contempt and pride, may not pour like cold water on the fire.

Instead, may the spark of God' love light the love in my heart, that it may burn brightly through the day.

And may I warm those that are lonely, whose hearts are cold and lifeless, so that all may know the comfort of God's love.

(Celtic Prayers, p. 26)

Grace before Food

Dear Lord, bless the food for our use, and us for your service.

May the food restore our strength, giving new energy to tired limbs, new thought to weary minds.

May the wine restore our souls, giving new visions to dry spirits, new vision to dry spirits, new warmth to cold hearts.

And once refreshed we offer again our minds and bodies, our hearts and spirits, to proclaim your glory.

(Celtic Prayers, p. 27)

The Hermit in a Cave

As I look out from my cave, I can see the wide ocean, stretching west, north, and south to the ends of the earth.

I watch the sea birds swoop, and I hear them shriek; and in my mind I can see the ocean depths teeming with fish.

The earth is both majestic and playful, both solemn and joyful; in all this it reflects the One who made it.

(Celtic Prayers, p. 17)

Brendan's Prayer before Setting Sail

Shall I abandon, O King of Mysteries, the soft comforts of home? Shall I turn my back on my native land, and my face toward the sea?

Shall I put myself wholly at the mercy of God, without silver, without a horse, without fame and honor? Shall I throw myself wholly on the King of kings, without a sword and shield, without food and drink, without a bed to lie on?

Shall I say farewell to my beautiful land, placing myself under Christ's yoke? Shall I pour out my heart to him, confessing my manifold sins and begging forgiveness, tears streaming down my cheeks?

Shall I leave the prints of my knees on the sandy beach, a record of my final prayer in my native land? Shall I then suffer every kind of wound that the sea can inflict?

Shall I take my tiny coracle across the wide, sparkling ocean? O King of the Glorious Heaven, shall I go of my own choice upon the sea?

O Christ, will you help me on the wild waves?

(Celtic Prayers, p. 20)


			Nomads and Pilgrims Prayer Response The purpose of these prayers is to give people further opportunity to respond in their everyday activity via prayer, per John's message this Sunday (2/27/2005). This goes along with the Lent 2005 sermon series: "Nomads and Pilgrims" and study guide. St. Patrick's Breastplate I gird myself today with the might of heaven: The rays of the sun, The beams of the moon, The glory of fire, The speed of wind, The depth of sea, The stability of earth, The hardness of rock. I gird myself today with the power of God: God's strength to comfort me, God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me, God's hand to lead me, God's shield to protect me, God's angels to save me From the snares of the Devil, From temptations to sin, From all who wish me ill, Both far and near, Alone and with others. May Christ guard me today From poison and fire, From drowning and wounding, So my mission may bear Fruit in abundance. Christ behind me and before me, Christ beneath me and above me, Christ with me and in me, Christ around me and about me, Christ on my left and my right, Christ when I rise in the morning, Christ when I lie down at night, Christ in each heart that thinks of me, Christ in each mouth that speaks of me, Christ in each eye that sees me, Christ in each ear that hears me. I arise today Through the power of the Trinity Through faith in the threeness, Through trust in the oneness, Of the Maker of the earth, And maker of heaven. (Celtic Prayers, p. 46) Kindling the Fire This morning, as I kindle the fire upon my hearth, I pray that the flame of God's love may burn in my heart, and the hearts of all I meet today. I pray that no envy and malice, no hatred or fear, may smother the flame. I pray that indifference and apathy, contempt and pride, may not pour like cold water on the fire. Instead, may the spark of God' love light the love in my heart, that it may burn brightly through the day. And may I warm those that are lonely, whose hearts are cold and lifeless, so that all may know the comfort of God's love. (Celtic Prayers, p. 26) Grace before Food Dear Lord, bless the food for our use, and us for your service. May the food restore our strength, giving new energy to tired limbs, new thought to weary minds. May the wine restore our souls, giving new visions to dry spirits, new vision to dry spirits, new warmth to cold hearts. And once refreshed we offer again our minds and bodies, our hearts and spirits, to proclaim your glory. (Celtic Prayers, p. 27) The Hermit in a Cave As I look out from my cave, I can see the wide ocean, stretching west, north, and south to the ends of the earth. I watch the sea birds swoop, and I hear them shriek; and in my mind I can see the ocean depths teeming with fish. The earth is both majestic and playful, both solemn and joyful; in all this it reflects the One who made it. (Celtic Prayers, p. 17) Brendan's Prayer before Setting Sail Shall I abandon, O King of Mysteries, the soft comforts of home? Shall I turn my back on my native land, and my face toward the sea? Shall I put myself wholly at the mercy of God, without silver, without a horse, without fame and honor? Shall I throw myself wholly on the King of kings, without a sword and shield, without food and drink, without a bed to lie on? Shall I say farewell to my beautiful land, placing myself under Christ's yoke? Shall I pour out my heart to him, confessing my manifold sins and begging forgiveness, tears streaming down my cheeks? Shall I leave the prints of my knees on the sandy beach, a record of my final prayer in my native land? Shall I then suffer every kind of wound that the sea can inflict? Shall I take my tiny coracle across the wide, sparkling ocean? O King of the Glorious Heaven, shall I go of my own choice upon the sea? O Christ, will you help me on the wild waves? (Celtic Prayers, p. 20) See also our section on prayer. * These prayers are quoted from Celtic Prayers: A Book of Celtic Devotion, Daily Prayers and Blessings by Van de Weyer, Robert Weyer, Robert Van De. ISBN: 0-7171-2600-5


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