Pilgrimage
Three-mile-an-hour God
Dear God, we pray for another way of being,
another way of knowing.
Across the difficult terrain of our existence we have attempted to build a highway and in so doing we have lost our footpath.
God, lead us to our footpath.
Lead us there where, in simplicity, we may move at the speed of natural creatures and feel the earth’s love beneath our feet.
Lead us there where, step-by-step, we may feel the movement of creation in our hearts.
And lead us there where, side-by-side, we may feel the embrace of the common soul.
Nothing can be loved at speed.
God, lead us to the slow path; to the joyous insights of the pilgrim; another way of knowing; another way of being. Amen.
Michael Leunig Common Prayer Collection Collins Dove, 1990
Coventry Litany of Reconciliation
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God
The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class,
Father forgive
The covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is not their own,
Father forgive.
The greed which exploits the work of human hands and lays waste the earth,
Father forgive.
Our envy of the welfare and happiness of others,
Father forgive.
Our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless, the refugee,
Father forgive.
The lust which dishonours the bodies of men, women and children,
Father forgive.
The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves and not in God,
Father forgive.
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
The Caim or ‘encircling’ prayer to bless wherever you walk.
Circle this place, Lord.
Keep protection near and danger afar.
Circle this place, Lord.
Keep hope within, and despair without.
Circle this place, Lord.
Keep light near and darkness afar.
Circle this place, Lord.
Keep peace within and turmoil without.
The eternal Father, Son and Holy Spirit shield us on every side.
Amen.
Some Prayers For The Journey.
Psalm 84
1 How lovely is your dwelling-place, Lord Almighty!2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord;my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young –a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God.4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.[c]5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.[d]7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.8 Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob.9 Look on our shield,[e] O God; look with favour on your anointed one.10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favour and honour;no good thing does he withhold from those whose way of life is blameless.12 Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you..
