Prayers in a Celtic mood
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In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
A short prayer for when you are at the end of your rope
I am here abroad,
I am here in need,
I am here in pain,
I am here in straits,
I am here alone.
O God, aid me.
Keep trying, with help
Many a good rider has taken a fall
and got back on the horse's back.
O, how I have traveled along the way:
Come, Christ, and give me your judgment.
Nach iomaí marcach maith a leagadh
agus a rachadh arís ar mhuin an eich.
Mar a chuaigh mise i leith na slí,
tar, a Chríost, agus tabhair do bhreith.
When frightened suddenly, as by thunder
The sign of Christ on us,
The Cross of Christ on us.
Fíor Chríost linn,
Cros Chríost linn.
Blessings before eating
Blessed are you, Lord God, King of Creation, for the food you bring from the earth:
Praised and blessed be your holy Name!
This blessing is especially lovely when used with one of the following prayers. One person can recite this blessing, and everyone can join in the prayer.
The blessing of the five loaves and the two fishes
that the Lord shared with the five thousand,
the bounty of the King who made the sharing
come upon our food and all who share it.
Bail na gcúig arán agus an dá iasc,
A roinn Dia ar an gcúig mhíle duine,
Rath ón Rí a rinne an roinn
Go dtige ar ár gcuid is as ár gcomhroinn.
God be with us in breaking of bread;
God be with us when we have fed;
Let nothing to our bodies cause pain,
Let not pride to our souls cause stain.
Bless us, O God.
Bless our food & our drink.
Since you redeemed us so dearly
and delivered us from evil,
as you gave us a share in this food
so may you give us a share in eternal life.
Beannaigh sinne, a Dhia.
Beannaigh ár mbia agus ár ndeoch.
ós tú a cheannaigh sinn go daor
Agus a shaor sinn ó olc,
Mar a thug tú an chuid seo dúinn
Go dtuga tú dúinn ár gcuid den ghlóir shíoraí.
Grace after eating
Thanks be to you, O God;
Praise be to you, O God;
Reverence be to you, O God,
For all that you have given us.
As you have given life to our bodies
that we may enjoy our food,
so with our gratitude give life to our souls
that we may enjoy you forever.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
An evening prayer
This prayer is attributed, probably incorrectly, to St. Patrick.
May Thy holy angels, O Christ, Son of living God,
Guard our sleep, our rest, our shining bed.
Let them reveal true visions to us in our sleep,
O High Prince of the universe, O great King of the mysteries!
May no demons, no ill, no calamity or terrifying dreams
disturb our rest, our willing, prompt repose.
May our watch be holy, our work, our task,
our sleep, our rest without let, without break.
Prayer of a pilgrim
This prayer is attributed, probably correctly, to Bro. Christopher White.
Lord God, you kept Abraham and Sarah in safety
throughout the days of their pilgrimage,
you led the children of Israel through the midst of the sea,
and by a star you led the Magi to the Christ-child.
Protect and guide me now in this time as I set out to travel,
protect my family while I am away,
make my ways safe and homecomings joyful,
and bring us all at last to your heavenly home,
where you reign
Father,
Son,
and Holy Spirit,
One God forever.