A Prayer

In the last couple of months, I have stumbled upon the Northumbria Community, an ecumenical group that seeks to recover some elements of Celtic spirituality, particularly those stemming from the famous monastery of Lindisfarne Island (source of the famous, and stunning, Lindisfarne Gospels).  Their Celtic Daily Prayer book is a wonderful resource, and I have been praying it for the last three weeks or so with much good fruit.

I am deeply impressed with the Northumbria Community and its spirituality.  I takes seriously the Celtic legacy while being clearly focused on the Christian message--as opposed to drifting off into historically-dubious fantasies or quasi-paganism.  It also balances a look to the past with a perspective on the here-and-now.

In any event, here is my favorite prayer from Celtic Daily Prayer, taken from the Evening Office.

Lord, You have always given
bread for the coming day;
and though I am poor,
today I believe.

 Lord, You have always given
strength for the coming day;
and though I am weak,
today I believe.

 Lord, You have always given
peace for the coming day;
and though of anxious heart,
today I believe.

 Lord, You have always kept
me safe in trials;
and now, tried as I am,
today I believe.

 Lord, You have always marked
the road for the coming day;
and though it may be hidden,
today I believe.

 Lord, You have always lightened
this darkness of mine;
and though the night is here,
today I believe.

 Lord, You have always spoken
when time was ripe;
and though you be silent now,
today I believe.

Comments

jimbo said…
"Always kept me safe in trials."

Wasn't the Lindisfarne monastery razed by vikings, all the valuables stolen and the monks killed or enslaved?

I guess they should have prayed harder.
December 11, 2013 at 9:24 AM
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