Introduction

A rhythm of prayer is the bedrock of our life with God. It does not have to be onerous and should not be guilt-inducing, although it will  require a sense of discipline.

The community offers this simple rhythm of prayer: morning, noon and night which is intended as a starting point and as an aid to creating space for God in the midst of busy lives. There is also a shorter form of prayer available as a    folded card or on line. Our website has links to the C of E lectionary and to a whole range of Bible reading plans. We also provide a printed plan which you might find helpful.

What matters is developing a rhythm which works for you in your life at the current time.  Prayer is connecting with God, the one who made us and for whom we are made. Therefore its connecting with the source of life, hope and peace. It’s the best way of recalibrating our souls in a busy world. Praying for others can be the greatest act of love.

The ‘Unlimited Prayer Manual’(2019 Spring Harvest/Essential) says this about prayer:

‘When you pray, the infinite becomes intimate. The immanent interrupted with a touch of divine significance.’

May this become your experience too......

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Morning Prayer

I arise today
Through a mighty strength:
God's power to guide me,
God's might to uphold me,
God's eyes to watch over me;
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to give me speech,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to shelter me,
God's host to secure me. Amen

 (first millennium - Bridgid of Gael)
 

Thanksgiving

We take a few moments in silence to give thanks to God for all the good things in our lives.
Be Still and ask God to reveal to you those blessings great and small.                       
 
Psalm
This or some other from Reading Plan or Lectionary

Psalm 27;1-4
The Lord is my light and my salvation –
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life –
    of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked advance against me
    to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
    who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.
 
Pause

New Testament Reading from Reading Plan or Lectionary

If you follow a book or App of daily reflections use here in place of or as well as Lectio Divina which follows.
(Note – This can also  be done as a longer exercise – see Community website)

Lectio Divina based on reading…..
(see leaflet available on the Community website for more detail)
 
1. Reading of the passage. We slowly read through several times and notice any word or phrase which stands out for us.
 
2. Reflection. We quietly read the words God has led us to in    Scripture and slowly chew them over.
3. Prayer: We respond to what God has spoken to us through      Scripture.
 
4. Contemplation: A time of rest. Here we entrust ourselves to God as we reflect on what he has spoken.
 
Pause
 
Prayer for others
Spend some time offering people, places and situations to God. You may want to use the following outline:
 
Circle of love
Encompass _____________.
May your love well up within her/him
May your passion enlighten her/him.

Circle of healing
Encompass ______________.
May your healing touch rest upon her/him.

Circle of protection
Encompass ______________.
Surround _____________ with your eternal safety
Protect her/him from all temptations and ills
Give her/him courage and strength
To live always from Your safe and powerful centre
 
Pause

Benediction

Circle me Lord
Keep stress outside, keep peace inside
Keep fear outside, keep hope inside
Keep ego outside, keep trust inside
Keep evil outside, keep good inside
Be with me all through this day
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen 

​(ancient circling prayer adapted)

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Midday Prayer
 
As our work pauses at noon
may God's peace be upon us
As the sun rides high at noon,
may the Son of Righteousness shine upon us.
As the rain refreshes the dark, parched streets,
may the Spirit bring rain upon our dry ground.
 
(adapted from Daily Prayer, Community of Aiden and Hilda)
 

​Psalm
This or some other from Reading Plan or Lectionary
 
Psalm 67:1-8
 
You, God, are my God,
    earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
    my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
    where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
    and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
    my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
    and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
    with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
6 On my bed I remember you;
    I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help,
    I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you;
    your right hand upholds me.
 
Pause
 
Consider the events of the day so far, your emotions and actions and the needs you have encountered. Consider the afternoon ahead – bring before God the people and situations on your heart.
 
The Lord’s Prayer
 
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
 
 
Pause

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

(adapted. from St. Patrick's Breastplate, 8th century)


Benediction

I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same.
The Three in One, and One in Three,
Of Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord. Amen

(adapted from Breastplate of St. Patrick, 8th Century) 

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​Evening Prayer
 
‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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.’ Matthew 11:28-30
 
Pause
 
Psalm
This or some other from Reading Plan or Lectionary
 
Psalm 16
Keep me safe, my God,
    for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord;
    apart from you I have no good thing.’
3 I say of the holy people who are in the land,
    ‘They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.’
4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
    I will not offer the sacrifices they do
    or take up their names on my lips.
5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;
    you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
    even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
    With him at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    nor will you let your faithful[b] one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
 

The Examen
(Note – This can be done as a longer exercise – see Resources)
 
Become aware of God's presence
 
Look back on the day and note the times you felt God was with you, assisting. Feel God with you now and ask to become more conscious of God's presence. It may be helpful to repeat a phrase like, "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46v10),
or the Jesus Prayer
 
Look back with gratitude
 
Review the past 24 hours and notice what you're thankful for. What happened to make you feel blessed? Take a moment to give thanks to God
 
Take an honest look at your day
 
Note some of the key things that happened over the course of the past 24 hours, your interactions with others, and your emotions.
We often rush though each day, not pausing to reflect. Doing a deep, honest reflection of the past day causes us to learn more about ourselves and improve our future actions

Choose one part of the day, and pray about it
 
From doing your review, you might find something God is directing you to work on - an emotion, a relationship that needs mending, an unpleasant situation.
Pray for it, ask God's guidance to resolve it.
 
Pray for tomorrow
 
Ask God to guide you tomorrow, leading you to your highest purpose. Send love and light to tomorrow, praying for wisdom and strength.
 
Feel deep gratitude, knowing God has already answered your prayer and tomorrow is already blessed. 
Take some deep breaths, and know that all is well.
 
Pause
 
Benediction
 
God to enfold me,
God to surround me,
God in my speaking,
God in my thinking.
God in my sleeping,
God in my waking,
God in my watching,
God in my hoping.
God in my life,
God in my lips,
God in my soul,
God in my heart.
God in my sufficing,
God in my slumber,
God in mine ever-living soul,
God in mine eternity. Amen
 
(Ancient Celtic oral traditions - Carmina Gaelic)




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