Thank you, Jesus Christ my Lord: In all my trials and sufferings, You give strength to stand firm. Even more you have given me A share in your eternal glory! – Irenaeus of Lyons 130-202AD. A great early teacher, writer, leader who died for his faith.
This much, O heaven – if I should brood or rave, Pity me not; but let the world be fed, Yea, in my madness if I strike me dead, Heed you the grass that grows upon my grave. If I dare snarl between this sun and sod, Whimper and clamour, give me grace to own, In sun and rain and…
God of all goodness, I ask for You, and you are Enough. To be worthy of you I cannot ask for anything less than You. If I were to ask less, I would always be in want, for in You alone – I have everything. – Julian Of Norwich 1342-416AD
God you are my God, I seek your face at dawn, my soul is thirsting for you, my body is pining for you, parched ground, waterless and dry. In the Sanctuary I long to adore you, To behold your glory and power. Your love is better than life, my lips will proclaim your praise, all my life I would…
Loving God, you pursue us with untiring love and dispel the shadow of death with the bright dawn of life. Give courage to us in our loss and sorrow. Be our refuge and strength, O Lord, reassure us of your continuing love and lift us from the depths of grief into the peace and light of your presence. Your Son, our…
May God the Father bless us, May Christ take care of us, May the Holy Spirit give light to us, all the days of our life. The Lord be our defender and keeper of body and soul, both now and for ever, to the ages of ages, Amen. – Æthelwold of Winchester 904-984AD
Your wisdom first Lord, My soul always be serving you in the way You will and not as I choose. Let me die to myself so that I may serve you; let me live to you who are life itself. – St Teresa of Avila 1515-1582AD
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam hamotzi lechem min ha-aretz. Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.
Lord God, You are the greatest and holiest mystery. Be all of my love, all my hope, all my striving; let my thoughts and words flow from you, my daily life be in you, and every breath I take be of you. – St John Cassian 360-435AD. Also known as John the Ascetic, or John Cassian the Roman. He learned…
My Master and God, teach me to hold myself in silence before you, to love you in the depths of my being, to wait upon you always, and never to ask anything of you but the fulfilment of my life. Teach me to let you act in my soul, and form in it the simple prayer that says little but…
May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. – An Old Gaelic Traveller’s Blessing
Welcome {name of child}, child of love. Blessed are you beyond telling, to be born to parents who love you and love each other. Blessed are you beyond telling that Christ was born just like you, And gave his life for you! May you be blessed to always know that God is ‘for you’ and will never leave or forsake you. Amen. …