Having Eyes to See

The prayer for guidance found at page 832 of the Book of Comman Prayer reads:

O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light riseth up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what thou wouldest have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in thy light we may see light, and in thy straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Isn't it interesting that the entire objective of the prayer for guidance is to have the Spirit of wisdom save us from all false choices - a prayer to counter our self delusions.  I should have paid more attention to this prayer's ultimate objective more than its seductive images of light a long time ago.  Had I done so, I would have placed substance over form.  We live; we learn; and hopefully light will continue to rise up in darkness for me so long as I am meek enough to know why it rises and for whom it rises.  Funny how you can miss what is right before your nose.

Hovering Healing Wings

The meaning of love is lost in any relationshiop that looks to weakness, and hopes to find love there.  The power of love, which is its meaning, lies in the strength of God that hovers over it and blesses it silently by enveloping it in healing wings. ~ A Course In Miracles

Dominus illuminatio mea

Oh God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light riseth up in darkness for the godly:  Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what thou wouldest have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in thy light we may see light, and in thy straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Book of Common Prayer, Page 832

Keep Watch

I believe that my favorite prayer of all in the Book of Common Prayer,  is:

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or
weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who
sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless
the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the
joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.

Was a more beautiful prayer ever written?   
 

814

O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly

beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou

wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy

saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for

thy holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and

governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call

themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and

hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in

righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to thy fatherly

goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed,

in mind, body, or estate; especially my friends who are out of hope;

that it may please thee to comfort and relieve

them according to their several necessities, giving them patience

under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their

afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.