Journeying with God (By Rev. Deacon Margaret Friesen)

Prayer of St Patrick
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All quotations, except the first, are taken from Esther de Waal, The Celtic way of prayer. (1994)
 
May the road rise to greet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your shoulder…
And may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
And may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
 
Many of you will be familiar with the prayer just quoted. It has become a lovely “good-bye and may God be with you” ending to a meeting or conversation. 
 
Esther de Waal says that many Celtic “journey” prayers also refer to the journey inward to deeply know God who dwells within. Earlier this week Lory Persaud shared a practice of 2-way journaling that speaks to this journey to know and to hear God. Those of you who practice “contemplative prayer” can also identify with the concept that as we listen to God, we also know ourselves more honestly and more compassionately.
 
Here’s a prayer that seems to touch on both kinds of journey: the journey for the day’s work and the journey to know God. The first part speaks of the relationship of the earth to me – my feet on the path. The second part ends with the eye which speaks of the vision and the attitude of my heart, my life.

Bless to me oh God
The earth beneath my foot
Bless to me oh God
The path whereon I go
Bless to me oh God
the thing of my desire;
Thou evermore of evermore
Bless thou to me my rest.
 
Bless Thou to me the thing
Whereon is set my mind
Bless to me the thing
Whereon is set my love;
Bless Thou to me the thing
Whereon is set my hope
O Thou King of kings
Bless Thou to me mine eye. 
 
I am reminded of the song that sparked this meditation for me and the search for other prayers that incorporates the physicality of this life on earth and creation all around us: St. Patrick’s Prayer.
I
*For my shield this day
A mighty power:
The Holy Trinity!
Affirming threeness,
Confessing oneness,
In the making of all
Through love…
V
This day I call to me;
God’s strength to direct me,
God’s power to sustain me.
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s vision to light me,
God’s ear to my hearing,
God’s word to my speaking,
God’s hand to uphold me,
God’s pathway before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s legions to save me:
From snares of the demons,
from evil enticements,
from failings of nature,
from one man or many
that seek to destroy me,
anear or afar.
*See attachment for copy of full prayer
 
These prayers are especially meaningful for people who are more deeply connected to this physical world:  I think of a friend who seems to draw from life by her walks in the outdoors, cross-country skiing, gardening. Those of us (like me) who are more inclined to sit and read and contemplate life from our chairs may need to learn to connect more directly with the physical creation around us.
I pray for you on your journey:
 
The guarding of the God of life be upon me,
The guarding of loving Christ be upon me,
The guarding of the Holy Spirit be upon me,
Each step of the way
To aid me and enfold me,
Each day and night of my life.
​
Song: The Lorica (Steve Bell)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFiV9QW4SCAwww.youtube.com/watch?v=hFiV9QW4SCA