Prayers by John Philip Newell
Presence
In the gift of this new day,
in the gift of the present moment,
in the gift of time and eternity intertwined,
let us be grateful,
let us be attentive,
let us be open to what has never happened before,
in the gift of this new day,
in the gift of the present moment,
in the gift of time and eternity intertwined.
(from Sounds of the Eternal: A Celtic Psalter, 2002)
Light
May the angels of light
glisten for us this day.
May the sparks of God’s beauty
dance in the eyes of those we love.
May the universe
be on fire with Presence for us this day.
May the new sun’s rising
grace us with gratitude.
Let earth’s greenness shine
and its waters breathe with Spirit.
Let heaven’s winds stir the soil of our soul
and fresh awakenings rise within us.
May the mighty angels of light
glisten in all things this day.
May they summon us to reverence,
may they call us to life.
(from Praying with the Earth: A Prayerbook for Peace, 2011)
The Elements
In the infinity of night skies
in the free flashing of lightning
in whirling elemental winds
you are God.
In the impenetrable mists of dark clouds
in the wild gusts of lashing rain
in the ageless rocks of the sea
you are God and I bless you.
You are in all things
and contained by no thing.
You are the Life of all life
and beyond every name.
You are God and in the eternal mystery I praise you.
(from Celtic Benediction: Morning and Night Prayer, 2000)
My Love
My Christ, my love, my encircler,
Each day, each night,
Each light, each dark,
Be near me, uphold me,
My treasure, my truth.
(from Celtic Prayers from Iona, 1994)