The season leading to Easter has traditionally had simple themes: following Jesus through prayer and reflection, renunciation and cleansing, suffering and mortality, daily trust and hope. Some prayers through the centuries that can guide along this journey:
Eternal God, light of the minds that know you, joy of hearts that love you, strength of wills that serve you; grant us so to know you that we may truly love you, so to love you that we may fully serve you, whom to serve is perfect freedom. (Augustine, 400s AD)
Steer the ship of my life, good Lord, to your quiet harbor, where I can be safe from the storms of sin and conflict. Show me the course I should take. And give me the strength and the courage to choose the right course, even when the sea is rough and the waves are high, knowing that through enduring hardship and danger in your name we shall find comfort and peace. (Basil, 300s)
Lord, as I read the psalms let me hear you singing. As I read your words, let me hear you speaking. As I reflect on each page, let me see your image. And as I seek to put your precepts into practice, let my heart be filled with joy. (Gregory of Nazianzus, 300s)
God almighty, eternal, righteous, and merciful, give to us poor sinners to do for your sake all that we know of your will, and to will always what pleases you, so that inwardly purified, enlightened, and kindled by the fire of the Holy Spirit, we may follow in the foot prints of your well-beloved Son, our Lord Jesus. (Francis of Assisi, 1200s)
Most gracious God, preserve us from the cares of this life, lest we should be too much entangled therein; also from the many necessities of the body, lest we should be ensnared by pleasure; and from whatever is an obstacle to the soul, lest, being broken with troubles, we should be overthrown. Give us strength to resist, patience to endure, constancy to persevere. (Thomas a Kempis, 1400s)
Majestic King, forever wise, You melt my heart. Whether in life or death’s last hour, If sickness, pain or health you give, Or shame, or honor, weakness, power, Thankful is the life I live. (Teresa of Avila, 1500s)
O great Chief, light a candle in my heart, that I may see what is in it, and sweep the rubbish from your dwelling place. (African schoolgirl, 1900s)
Night is drawing nigh – For all that has been – Thanks! For all that shall be – Yes! ( (Dag Hammarksjold, 1900s)
Comments