Prayer Book
Several years ago I took a leather bond book and have placed only prayers in it. The reason I started it was that minister Wulfstan of Worchester, in the 11th century, had such a book that he carried on horseback wherever he went. This is what was said of Wulfstan:
"He was humble and ready to serve wherever he was called. He gradually acquired a
reputation as a holy man who could on occasion work miracles, especially on behalf of the sick. He longed for God, there was always a psalm in his mouth and Christ ever in his heart."
There was also the prayer book which he carried. ANYWAY here is the prayer for today:
GOD OF PILGRIMS,
GIVE US ALWAYS A TABLE TO
STOP AT WHERE WE CAN
TELL OUR STORY AND
SING OUR SONG.
From Father John Guiliani
The Benedictine Grange
West Redding, Ct.
LESSON: BE SURE TO SING YOUR SONG TODAY.
posted by Dan Phillips @ 8:04 AM
10 comments
10 Comments:
...I will sing my song today, Lord...not like many others...not quite as good, perhaps...but it will be a loving song...a song, with gratitude, with admission of failings and needs and with a sense of 'May this little prayer go everywhere so that when God looks down, in every single place, a prayer to Him is found.'
...a long while back...I heard someone say, "I could not find the book I needed so I was told to write one myself." And so, a note pad with many thoughts and scribbles is a little book of prayers and sayings...Such an aid to memory as we get older...now, what was I talking about???? Darn!!!!
......writing as a form of prayer.....prayer has many manifestations: deeds, thoughts, poems, gestures, writing, musing, pondering, awe, stories, even jokes at times...... In writing daily, I have found a most valuable tool...a path to God and His perfect wisdom...As was said to me 'Get a blank book (sturdy) and begin writing' so I would say to others today: 'Start writing...you will be taught much...insights will come that you have never read nor heard in a sermon...God is at work...some, like me, need more work than others. God bless your effort!
....sing your song...a new song...one that is not in the book...that is nice but it is someone else's song...sing of joy and and also of loneliness...the song should reflect the real you...not someone else...let them sing their own song. God wants to hear YOUR song.....off-key even...He will understand....
....to tell your story...Merton certainly did that...and thanks be to God that he did for in his story many found help in living and telling their own story...finding their own special way or vocation...learning to pray, not as reading words but as pondering the goodness of the Lord...loving in return for love...(My own story...some pages have alcohol spilled on them...some have tears on them... Think about your own story....write some notes... start a journal...the lessons there may be so important to another pilgrim someday. Maybe you will write the 'Eight Story Mountain'...who knows?
...sing your hymn...tell your story...know that He longs to hear it. In His love, He welcomes you...even stories you have told before...He does not care that they are 'repeats'..such is it to be deeply and divinely loved...
...how much like Christ to let someone sing their song and tell their story...I have a great friend... We meet for lunch where we can talk...He is helping me through some very old stuff... poorly processed in the past and greatly needing a touch of healing...Like Christ, I can tell him the story and sing the song without having to justify it or explain it...Christ at the table must have been very much just like my friend...open heart, open hand, open to listen ...
...what healing there is in a chance to sing your song and tell your story to those who love you enough to hear with their hearts, kindly and without judgment...
What a lovely idea. I have a little leather bound journal that was looking for a purpose. Thank you for the prayers you've published and for this good idea.
Proverbs 25:20 "Sadness is like a moth to a garment...sadness consumes the soul...as a worm destroys the wood." Speaking of having a book of prayers or treasured sayings...this is one I have in my booklet. Wonderful reminder about keeping an optimistic view of things. Banish the sadness. Avoid the worry things. Keep the faith in your heart as He would wish you to do.
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