sacred gesture
Once again, as it has done for endless ages, the earth is slowly turning around toward the sun. Dawn comes with the freshness of that first day of creation. May my worship at the beginning of this day be united with that of birds and wild animals, with clouds and sky. May my rising be a rehearsal for my resurrection from the dead. With gratitude for the wonder of this day, for the rich gift of life itself, I enter into silent prayer.
period of silent prayer or meditation
In harmony with all the earth as it soaks up the fire of the sun, I express the gratitude and devotion of my heart as I now pray.
a psalm, spiritual reading or personal prayer
In the quiet of this spring-touched morning, I absorb the light of this new day and soak up the love that ceaselessly flows out of your divine heart. As a cosmic pilgrim traveling with the earth and her sister planets outward into space, I ask you to accept my sacrifice of this day in solidarity with the special needs today of: _______.
May I embrace with joy my pilgrim work of unity. May I, with your grace, be an instrument of your peace to all I will meet and in every situation of this day. May our tiny planet, divided in a multitude of nations, races and religions, be united in its love of you. May my prayer and all the prayers, sacrifices and deeds of compassion performed on this planet today be blended together as one and reach you through the mystery of your son Jesus, the cosmic Christ.
O Divine Giver of Life, you in whom we breathe and live, show yourself to me this day in countless ways. And grant me the grace to bow in wonder and in joy wherever and whenever I discover you. Boldly trace your sacred sign upon me in love as I begin this day
in your Holy Name
and in the name of your Son
and in the abiding presence of your Spirit,
One God forever and ever. Amen.
sacred gesture
sacred gesture
O Beloved Sacred Parent, this spring evening is green-edged with hope and filled with promise. With each passing day, the light of the sun lingers longer upon this planet. Even in the darkness of this night, one can feel the earth stirring with life. The night wind is full of promise as I reflect upon my actions this Thursday. I ponder if they, like this season of spring, have been full of hope and rich in life.
Open my heart and pour in all that is lacking. Saturate my words with love and encouragement, so that I may be truly an expression of your presence in this world. I thank you for the countless blessings of this day: gifts of sight, sound, hearing and smell, for wonders without end. I thank you as well for your endless patience with me and your pardon of my failings. Robed in your peace, my heart ripe with gratitude, I now enter into the prayer of silence to be one with you.
period of silent prayer or meditation
O Gracious Creator of the moon and stars, of galaxies spreading outward beyond the vision of our tiny telescopes, I marvel that you have chosen to dwell within the temple of my heart. I ask your understanding, for that temple is a crowded place where I have stored concerns and conflicts, work and worries as well as all the content of this day. I take springtime hope that all those things that clutter my heart, while they seem so distant from you, in reality hold your presence, my God. In that confidence, I now express my gratitude as I pray.
a psalm, spiritual reading or personal prayer
Mindful of the needs of others, before I retire I lift up into your divine heart the needs of all who are in need of your protection, healing and care this night, especially: _______. Encircle my bed, my home and all those I love with your divine love. I ask this
in your Holy Name
and in the name of your Son
and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
sacred gesture
