Let us pray to God the Father, God the Son,
And to God the Holy Spirit,
Whose infinite greatness
Enfolds the whole world,
In persons three and one,
In essence simple and triune,
Suspending the earth above the waters,
Hanging the upper air with stars,
That he may be favorable to sinners
Who righteously justifies all who err,
Who ever-living lives.
May God be blessed for ages. Amen.
 
Moucan, Welsh, eighth century

When mystery hides Thee from the sight of faith and hope: when pain turns even love to dust: when life is bitter to the taste and our song of joy dies down to silence, then, Father, do for us that which is past our power to do for ourselves.

Break through our darkness with Thy light. Show us Thyself in Jesus suffering on a Tree, rising from a grave, reigning from a throne, all with power and love for us unchanging.

So shall our fear be gone and our feet set upon a radiant path.

-from Alistair Maclean’s Hebridean Altars

This is what the Lord says:

Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.

-Jeremiah 6:16

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

-Matthew 16:24

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

-Psalm 84:5-7

Hold Thou my feet, let there be no returning along the path which Thou has bid me tread.

-Arch R. Wiggins from Celtic Daily Prayer

The compassing of God and His right hand

Be upon my form and upon my frame;

The compassing of the High King and the grace of the Trinity

Be upon me abiding ever eternally,

May the compassing of the Three shield me in my means,

The compassing of the Three shield me this day,

The compassing of the Three shield me this night

From hate, from harm, from act, from ill.

This day I call to me:

God’s strength to direct me, God’s power to sustain me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s vision to light me, God’s ear in my hearing, God’s word to my speaking, God’s hand to uphold me, God’s pathway before me, God’s shield to protect me, 

God’s legions to save me:

From snares of demons, from evil enticements, From failings of nature, from one man or many, That seek to destroy me, anear or far.

From the foot of the Cross I look up to Thee, O Jesus Lord bow down to me. For I stand in the faith of my God today, Put love in my heart and hope always.

“Teach me, O Lord to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my ear towards your statutes and not towards selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.”

-Psalm 119: 33-37

Three folds of the cloth, yet only one napkin is there, Three joints in the finger, but still only one finger fair. Three leaves of the shamrock, yet no more than one shamrock to wear, Frost, snowflakes and ice, all in water their origins share.

Three persons in God; to one God alone we make prayer.

I bid unto myself today, the power of God to hold and lead.  His eye to watch, His might to stay, His ear to hearken to my need. The wisdom of my God to teach, His hand to guide, His shield to ward. The word of God to give me speech, His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin, Against false words of heresy, Against the knowledge that defiles, Against the hearts idolotry. Against the wizard’s evil craft, Against the death wound and the burning. The choking wave and the poison shaft, Protect me, Christ till Thy returning.

Jesus, forgive my sins.

Forgive the sins that I can remember, and also the sins I have forgotten. Forgive the wrong actions I have committed, and the right actions I have omitted. Forgive the times I have been weak in the face of temptation, and those when I have been stubborn in the face of correction. Forgive the times I have been proud of my own achievements, and those when I have failed to boast your works. Forgive the harsh judgements I have made of others, and the leniency I have shown myself. Forgive the lies I have told to others, and the truths I have avoided. Forgive me of the pain I have caused others, and the indulgence I have shown to myself.

Jesus have pity on me, and make me whole.