Welcome to daily prayer for Thursday. Let’s begin, aware of the body and invoking the Spirit with the Sarum Prayer.
The Invocation: 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
Call to mind one or two ancestors, loved ones, or holy-to-you ones who have gone before you, one or two in whom your soul delights. Rest your awareness on them in the cloud of witnesses.
Refrain for the Psalm
The Lord, who formed me in the womb to be his servant.
Psalm 124
If it had not been the LORD who was on our side
—let Israel now say—
if it had not been the LORD who was on our side,
when our enemies attacked us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone
the raging waters.
Blessed be the LORD,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth.
We have escaped like a bird
from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Refrain for the Psalm
The Lord, who formed me in the womb to be his servant.
Song of the Servant
Isaiah 49: 5–6
And now the LORD says,
who formed me in the womb to be his servant,
to bring Jacob back to him,
and that Israel might be gathered to him,
for I am honored in the sight of the LORD,
and my God has become my strength—
he says,
“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and to restore the survivors of Israel;
I will give you as a light to the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
The Wisdom of Jesus
Matthew 11: 28–30
Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Response to the Reading
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our mother in heaven,
Hallowed be your name.
Your good realm come,
Your will be done,
On earth as in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our sins,
As we forgive those who sin against us.
And 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 being and becoming.
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 Delight
Take about 30 seconds to focus on one thing that delighted you recently, something that made you smile, or warmed your heart.
Celtic Journey Blessing
Bless to me O God, the earth beneath my feet.
Bless to me O God, the path whereon I go.
Bless to me O God, the thing of my desire.
Thou Evermore of evermore,
Bless Thou to me my rest.
Benediction
Go in peace, wash your hands, love your neighbor—you are not alone.