February 26, 2009

Celtic Prayers

The Celtic movement during the Middle Ages developed a holistic form of spirituality with applicable parallels for today. The monks would often pray through their daily activities. They found even the most mundane activities as opportunities for talking with God. Some of these prayers were specific to waking up, or starting the morning fire, or taking care of their flocks, or even taking a bath. And many of their prayers had an emphasis on the trinity, which you see in the pattern of their prayers. It’s refreshing to realize that daily tasks and activities can be an opportunity for prayer.

Here is a sample Celtic prayer written specifically for starting the morning fire:

Blessing of the Kindling
by Alexander Carmicheal

I will kindle my fire this morning
In presence of the holy angels of heaven,
In presence of Ariel of the loveliest form,
In presence of Uriel of the myriad charms,
Without malice, without jealousy, without envy,

Without fear, without terror of any one under the sun,
But the Holy Son of God to shield me.
     Without malice, without jealousy, without envy,
     Without fear, without terror of any one under the sun,
     But the Holy Son of God to shield me.

God, kindle Thou in my heart within
A flame of love to my neighbor,
To my foe, to my friend, to my kindred all,
To the brave, to the knave, to the thrall,
O Son of the loveliest Mary,
From the lowliest thing that liveth,
To the Name that is highest of all.
     O Son of the loveliest Mary,
     From the lowliest thing that liveth,
     To the Name that is highest of all.

Click here to see the Celtic prayers our Neighborhood groups wrote.

[Photo by misterarrow @ Flickr]

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