sacred gesture
The part of this earthen planet in which I live is wrapped in winter as this new day dawns for me. The winter earth leans away from the sun, and I miss its light and warmth. How easily do I lean away from you, Beloved God, and your warmth. How readily I lean toward other things and so find the cold touch of winter upon my words and deeds. How often I forget you, who formed my being and who shaped the cosmos, sending spinning suns by the billions into the winter wasteland of empty space.
I dedicate this winter day to you, as I now enter into the chapel of my heart to sit in stillness with you. May I leave outside the circle of silence all my worries and concerns for this day, as I enter into prayer.
period of silent prayer or meditation
O Weaver of oneness and Reader of hearts, I know you need no spoken words to tell you of my affection for you. But may these words of prayer be sacraments of my love.
a psalm, spiritual reading or personal prayer
I pray for the needs of all those across this small planet who are in great need this day, and especially for:_______. I am mindful of all those who suffer because of the winter weather, of all who suffer because they experience on this Wednesday the winter of war, of those who know the cold winds of oppression and violence. May all who suffer this day experience your compassion through their brothers and sisters.
May this morning prayer awaken me to turn the needs of all who ask me for help this day into my personal needs. May this brief time of prayer make me aware that the needs of those whom I assist are really your needs. Grant me the grace to see you in all whom I meet and serve. With that sacred vision this prayer of communion with you will have no end.
Blessed and beautiful are you, my God.
May your light be my sun this winter day.
sacred gesture
sacred gesture
O Clever Creator of all life, just as you have created your children as male and female, so you have created time as day and night. Our whirling planet has turned me around again toward the perpetual winter of outer space as I come before you to conclude my day. All this day I have tried to be in prayerful communion with you. May this act of devotion, as I enter into the silence of my inner space, be but the final note of this Wednesday's song of love.
period of silent prayer or meditation
As I come out of silent prayer, I open my eyes to the small world of my home. May the following prayer open my heart to all peoples in the larger world around me. I knock at the door of your heart, O Fountain of mercy and Source of all blessings: open to your beloved.
a psalm, spiritual reading or personal prayer
Through the open door of your divine heart may blessings pour forth in great abundance to those I love:_______. I pray for those who are prisoners of fear or hate and for the intentions of all the peoples of this planet, in particular this night for:_______. May those who find it impossible to pray, who are burdened with cares or lost in the desert of loneliness, be touched by your gentle healing and find peace this night.
As this part of the earth and her children look out upon the freezing darkness of unknown space, may we find comfort in the marvelous order and design of all that you have created. Pitch above my bed the tent of your peace and your presence, as with confidence and without regrets I now close the cover of this day.
O Guardian of galaxies,
Mother of the cosmos and
Father of stars beyond counting,
may I sleep in you tonight.
sacred gesture
