Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
In grass meadows He makes me lie down,
by quiet waters guides me.
My life He brings back.
He leads me on pathways of justice
for His name’s sake.
Though I walk in the vale of death’s shadow,
I fear no harm,
for You are with me.
Your rod and Your staff—
it is they that console me.
You set out a table before me
in the face of my foes.
You moisten my head with oil,
my cup overflows.
Let but goodness and kindness pursue me
all the days of my life.
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
for many long days.
Breath Meditation Practice
Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, out through the mouth, three at least or more. As your mind wanders, return your focus to the breath.
Saturday Reading
Psalm 100
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before them with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is she who made us, and we are hers;
we are her people, the sheep of her pasture.
Enter her gates with thanksgiving
and her courts with praise;
give thanks to her and praise her name.
For the Lord is good and their love endures forever;
their faithfulness continues through all generations.
Serenity Prayer
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.
Prayer for Loved Ones
Take a minute (more if you like) to simply name your loved ones. Practice not over-thinking. Just naming. Focus on your feeling of love for each one.
Peace Prayer—by St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine One, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
Closing: Breath Prayer
On the in breath: For it is in giving. On the out breath: that we receive. If you like, pick another line to return to through the day.
Benediction
Go in peace: wash your hands, love your neighbor, you are not alone.