Here’s another Celtic-style prayer that I suddenly felt inspired to write this week. It explores the good and the bad of the world around us; how the beauty of creation speaks to us of the love of God, but of how its abuse and darker side challenges us concerning the frustration of his purposes. This prayer, and others of this ilk that I’m occasionally posting, will, I hope, be published in a new book of Celtic-style prayers later next year.
Creation is singing:
your voice, Lord, serenading me through its chorus.
In the whisper of the breeze,
the howl of the gale;
the babbling of the brook,
the crashing of the ocean;
the song of the blackbird,
the squawk of the jackdaw;
the crowing of a cockerel,
the shriek of a fox;
the cry of a new-born baby,
the hum of conversation.
In all these,
and so much else,
I hear you speaking,
welcoming,
inviting.
Give me ears truly to listen,
and help me to take up the melody,
wholly in tune with you;
in harmony with all that you have made –
truly, a joyful song.
The world is singing:
your voice, Lord, appealing through its refrain.
In the soaring cadences of the choir,
the cacophony of human need;
the silent, wordless prayer,
the angry shout of protest;
the diversity of the rain forest,
the merciless roar of the chainsaw;
the contented enjoyment of a generous meal,
the desperate groans of the starving;
the buzz of the children’s playground,
the laboured breaths of the dying;
the pursuit of freedom and justice,
the rejection of all but self-interest.
In all these,
and so much more,
I hear you confronting,
challenging,
calling.
Give me ears truly to listen,
and help me to add my voice to yours –
to truly seek the harmony you desire for all –
so that each may know inner hope, joy and peace,
and truly make music in their hearts.
Amen.