Many thanks to Connie for helping me remember my user name and password. I am finding that since my surgery last October, there have been many physical and mental changes. One of the changes is memory (or lack there of). The other change is pain levels and re-learning one’s body how to live with chronic pain. Pain is the body’s way of letting us know that there is something wrong and should be fixed. Chronic pain is pain that has outlasted it’s usefulness. One way to turn off chronic pain is through meditation and prayer …. the focussing upon the mystery and Divinity of God rather than the ouch ouch ouch of one’s body.
Of the many prayers that are prayed, St Augustine and Salisbury Benediction of a Rectory are wonderful. These two prayers are old prayers. It is rather neat to pray the same prayer that St Augustine and those who lived in Salisbury prayed during their life times. It is rather neat to know that these prayers are timeless.
St Augustine left us with a wonderful prayer: “Watch, O LORD, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give Your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick ones, O LORD Christ; give rest to the weary ones; bless the dying ones; soothe the suffering ones; pity the afflicted ones; shield the joyous ones. And all for Your love’s sake.” (Macnutt “The Prayer Manual” Mowbray, 1955. Prayer #65).
Salisbury Benediction of a Rectory prayer: Almighty God, in whose house are many mansions, we pray to You to surround our dwelling with the unseen wall of Your protection; that we may be devoted to Your service, and may serve one another in love; until we come at last to that home which You have prepared for them that love You; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Macnutt “The Prayer Manual” Mowbray, 1955. Prayer #734 Salisbury Benediction of a Rectory pg 149.
Prayer and gratitude are our daily disciplines and our daily joy.
