Intro To Silence
Last weekend I spent a day at a
Quiet Retreat. We used Celtic meditation and I was particularly
drawn to one of the meditations. I found it very helpful as I entered into my
personal meditation. I will share parts of a prayer with you as you enter into your
quiet moments this morning.
May
Christ guard me today
Christ behind and before me,
Christ beneath and above me,
Christ with me and in me,
Christ around 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.
…
It is good to give you thanks, mighty God, and to call on your name. Your steadfast love greets us every morning, and your faithfulness extends through al hours of the night. There is no place where you are not at work, planting and giving nourishment for growth. You anoint us to be your representatives, granting us courage to walk by faith. You lift us out of our ruts so we may experience high and lofty adventures. You empower us to bear fruit wherever we are planted. Your help is always available. When we call your name, you answer. All praise be to you, O God!
We confess that we are often bound by our grief and fears. Our faith wavers, our confidence is shaken, our courage fails. We turn away from you in times of trouble, doubting your care, denying your love, defying your will. We chase after our illusions. We judge by appearances. We take pride in our possessions. We shut you out of our lives. How can we bear fruit when we cut ourselves off from our roots! Where will we find protection from our enemies and victory over our own impulses!
Thank you, God, for hearing our petitions, seeing the best that is in us and recalling us to your peaceful ways. May what we offer to you extend your peace to brothers and sisters whose hearts’ desires have so long been denied. May your spirit work mightily in our midst, and when we are scattered, bring the joy of your realm among us.
Amen