Bless to Me Prayer

I recently took about a dozen friends from our church on a prayer retreat to the Upper Room in Nashville.

One of several highlights was to spend some time with Beth Richardson, the Director of Prayer and Worship at the Upper Room. She taught our group of the ancient Celtic tradition of the "Bless to Me" Prayer and invited us to write one. My thoughts immediately went to what was right in front of me, which so often I fail to be grateful for.

Here is my prayer.

---

Bless to me this pen I hold.

With it I trace the light

and the shadows

of each day,

putting into words

the unspeakable nudges

of the heart.

Bless to me the ink that pours,

making permanent

the fleeting thoughts,

memories, and prayers

of my spirit.

Bless to me the paper on which I write,

which allows me to read

the contours of my

journey's ups and downs,

with a larger perspective,

even God's perspective.

Bless to me those who have written before me,

tracking the patterns

of the spiritual life

so I am going

where others have gone before.

Bless to me this time,

for all time spent reflecting

is the best time spent.

Bless to me the idea that

I am not writing for others,

not really.

I am writing for you,

and for you to touch

and heal me.

Bless to me, Oh Lord.

Bless to me.

Amen.

Originally at Musings of a Musical Preacher Read the original ↗