Sarum Prayer
God be in my head—and in my understanding
God be in my eyes—and in my looking
God be in my mouth—and in my speaking
God be in my heart—and in my thinking
God be at my end—and at my departing
Cloud of Witnesses Meditation
As we move into prayer, call to mind the ancestors—loved and admired ones who have gone before us and surround us in the cloud of witnesses. Over the next half minute, simply name them and be open to their presence with you in the spirit.
Request for Divine Presence
Psalm 31: 3
You are my crag and my stronghold, for the sake of your Name lead me and guide me.
Refrain for the Reading
Psalm 84: 4
Happy are the people whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on the sojourners path.
Reading
1 Thess. 5: 16–18
Always be joyful, pray continually, give thanks whatever happens; for this is what God wills for you in Christ Jesus.
Refrain for the Reading
Psalm 84: 4
Happy are the people whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on the sojourners path.
Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills—
from where will my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time on and forevermore.
Refrain
Happy are the people whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on the sojourners path.
Portion from the Lord’s Prayer
Lead us not into the time of trial,
But deliver us from evil.
Amen
Prayer for Loved Ones
Over the next minute simply name your loved ones, calling each to mind in love, lifting each in the embrace of remembered love, to the God who is the source of all love.
Prayer to Face the Frustrations of the Day
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.
A Pause for Gratitude
Take about 30 seconds to focus on one or two things that you are grateful for.
A Closing Petition
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Benediction
Go in peace, wash your hands, love your neighbor—WE are not alone.