Daily Prayer

[Under development: 3 June 2005]

This prayer is my attempt to encapsulate in an appropriate language what is in a general sense most important to me. The grammar I have used is important: the prayer is written in the subjunctive mood, expressing a wish or an expectation that something will be. It is important to me that my thoughts, feelings, beliefs, attitudes, behaviour and speech remain congruent with each other. It feels deeply intimate to present it here.

I formulated it in 1988, and have used it ever since. I do not use it as a ritual, but more like a discussion with myself. I frequently substitute different words in order to allow new understandings to emerge. I am indebted to Joanna Kirkby, a Quaker formerly of Durham, and now of Selly Oak, who helped me to understand something of the nature of what is commonly termed ‘the Lord’s Prayer’.

The first line is complex because there are so many associations and connotations. For example, an important aspect is: “May I always be guided by the spirit of God within me.” I wish to walk in the illumination that the spirit of God brings to various aspects of my life; and have that spirit as a beacon towards which I am walking; truth and love are not two concepts, and could be termed ‘loving truth’. [To be continued.]

Daily Prayer

May I always see(k) the inner guiding light of truth and love

May others see their light

May I find light in my daily tasks

May I help others in need

May I be fed today in body and spirit

May I feed others

May I be forgiven my failings

May I forgive others

May I cope with difficult and dangerous situations

May I help others in trouble

May I always see(k) the inner guiding light of truth and love

p.g.h@btinternet.com

Spirituality: sitemap

Culture: sitemap

Peter Hughes: Introduction