Prayer of St. Columba

Have mercy, Christ, have mercy                                                                  On all that trust in Thee,                                                                               For Thou are God in glory                                                                              To all eternity.

O God, make speed to save us                                                                        In life’s abounding throes;                                                                               O God, make haste to help us                                                                         In all our weary woes.

O God, Thou art the Father                                                                            Of all that have believed:                                                                           From whom all hosts of angels                                                                 Have life and power received.

O God, Thou art the Maker                                                                            Of all created things,                                                                                     The righteous Judge of judges,                                                                   The Almighty King of kings.

High in the heavenly Zion                                                                         Thou reignest God adored;                                                                         And in the coming glory                                                                             Thou shalt be sovereign Lord.

Beyond our ken Thou shinest,                                                                    The everlasting Light;                                                                          Ineffable in loving,                                                                         Unthinkable in might.

Thou to the meek and lowly                                                                        Thy secrets dost unfold;                                                                                   O God, Thou doest all things,                                                                        All things both new and old.

I walk secure and blessed                                                                                In every clime or coast,                                                                                    In the Name of God the Father,                                                                 And Son, and Holy Ghost.

Attributed to St Columba                                                                               (From A Celtic Primer                                                                           complied by Brendan O’Malley)

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art. Thou my best Thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Hey the Gift, ho the Gift, hey the Gift on the living.

The fair Mary went upon her knee, it was the King of glory who was on her breast.

To tell to us that Christ is born, the King of Kings of the land of salvation.

I see the hills, I see the strand, I see the host upon the wing.

I see angels on clouds, coming with speech and friendship to us.

Help me be strong, help me be, help me!

The love and affection of heavens be to you,

The love and affection of the angels be to you,

The love and affection of the sun be to you,

The love and affection of the moon be to you,

Each day and night of our lives,

To keep you from haters, to keep you from harmers, to keep you from oppressors.

The Child of glory, the Child of Mary, born in a stable, the King of all.

Who came to the wilderness and in our stead suffered;

Happy they are counted who to Him are near.

When He Himself saw that we were in travail, Heaven opened graciously over our head.

We beheld Christ, the Spirit of truth, the same drew us in  ‘neath the shield of His crown.

Strengthen our hope, enliven our joyance, keep us valiant, faithful and near.

O light of our lantern, along with the virgins, singing in glory the anthem anew.

May the King shield you in the valleys,

May Christ aid you on the mountains.

May Spirit bathe you on the slopes,

In hollow, on hill, on plain,

Mountain, valley and plain.

At every moment of our existence
You are present to us, Father,
in gentle compassion.
Help us to be present
to one another,
so that our presence
may be a strength
that heals the wounds of time
and gives hope that is for all persons
through Jesus, our Lord and Brother

Weston Priory, Vermont

Christ of the human road,
let us reach out to touch you,
and, sweet Christ,
show us your lovely face.
As we see Your face by faith,
we learn to become like You,
Lord Christ,
that the world may see Your glory.
Show us Your lovely face.

Lord, peace you commanded, peace you gave us, peace you have left us. Grant us your peace from heaven and order this day and all the days of our life in your peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.