Prayers in the Early Evening

Prayers in the Early Evening

At the ending of the day

At the ending of the day,
in the darkness of the night
I seek an inner assurance of your presence.
My body is still
and my soul is silent
as I listen for the renewing springs of your Spirit deep in the ground of my being
and in earth’s quietness all around me.
Guide me to the wellsprings of health
in the landscape of my soul
and to the hidden reservoirs of strength
in the people and places of my life
that I may be made well this night,
that I may be made well.

-Excerpt from 'Sounds of the Eternal: A Celtic Psalter' by John Philip Newell

New every morning is the love

New every morning is the love

Our wakening and uprising prove:

Through sleep and darkness safely brought,
Restored to life, and power, and thought.

Hover around us while we pray;
New mercies, each returning day,
New perils past, new sins forgiven,

Old friends, old scenes will lovelier be
New thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven.

As more of heaven in each we see;

Fit us for perfect rest above,
Some softening gleam of love and prayer
Shall dawn on every cross and care.

Only, O lord, in thy dear love,

To live more nearly as we pray.

And keep us this, and every day,

St. Ambrose

Jesus at the center