Opening Breath Meditation
Take a few moments, as long as you like to rest your attention on the breath—the sensation of the air entering the nose and into the lungs as the body expands, and the sense of the body softening as you exhale. As you notice thoughts wandering, simply return your focus to the sensation of the breath.
The 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
Words of the Followers Portion
Romans 15: 13 (David Bentley Hart Translation)
And may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in hope by the power of a Holy Spirit.
Reflection
Hope is the anticipation of a future good. All good comes from God. So God is the God of hope. And for us humans who can’t help but anticipate the future, imagine the future, guess what the future may bring, our joy and peace in the present is connected to hope.
Our joy and our peace are, as Paul writes, “in hope.”
A Visualization Meditation
First, take a picture of sunlight in your mind’s eye—a light within you. A clear, warm, pleasing light, however you might imagine it, perhaps the light of early morning rising, shining on grass or through the green leaves of a tree. Then imagine that same quality of light as a small translucent orb in the middle of the body. Watch as it slowly expands to encompass the entire body and the space around you. Watch as it fills the room you are in, and then beyond to your immediate neighborhood, and eventually as far as you can imagine. It’s not so important to have a vivid picture of light as to notice the feeling as you imagine this clear, warm, peaceful light from within you expanding to encompass you. As you notice thoughts coming into your mind, simply return your focus to the light.
Prayer for Divine Perception
O Divine Wisdom, who dwells within the holy of holies, that realm beyond space and time, and whose light shines through all things created, fill our hearts, O blessed One, with the hope of a blessed future. Amen.
Prayer for Loved Ones
Take in and release a few deep breaths, as you name your loved ones, not seeking to change any of them with this form of prayer, but simply holding them in the light of God, for God’s blessing.
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.
Gratitude Practice
Allow yourself to feel gratitude, appreciation, or delight, for three things, small or big, whatever comes to mind.
Concluding Praise
From Psalm 148
Praise the LORD.
Praise from the heavens;
praise in the heights above.
Praise God, all angels;
praise, all heavenly hosts.
Praise, sun and moon;
praise, all you shining stars.
Praise, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.
Let everything that is give praise to God
Benediction
So have a blessed day: go in peace, wash your hands, love your neighbor—you are not alone!