Blowin' in the Wind: Prayer for a New Day and a New Year

("Blowin’ in the Wind" is a regular feature on my blog consisting of an assortment of nature writings – hymns, songs, excerpts, prayers, Bible readings, poems or other things – pieces I may not have written but that inspire me or give me joy. I trust they’ll do the same for you.)

I ran across this lovely Celtic prayer several weeks ago, and thought it’d be a good New Year post. As you can see, it is framed as a morning prayer, but it could also stretch easily to fit a New Year theme.

Celtic spirituality focuses on several motifs, among them nature, journey and blessing. This prayer covers all three of these. With an apology for my inability to find its source, I yet commend it to you for the start of any new day.

A Celtic Morning Prayer

As the tide draws the water close in upon the shore,

These last hours You have made me an island, set apart,

Alone with You, God, holy to You.

Now with the turning of the tide,

Prepare me to carry Your presence to the busy world,

The world that rushes beyond You and upon me,

Until the waters come again and fold me back to You.

So often I hold too tightly to my belief.

May I plant faith patiently, calmly and untiringly

In the good ground of hungry hearts.

Blessed New Year!

~~ RGM, January 1, 2016