GETTING STARTED
Well, the time has come. Summer break is over and school has started again (unless you're a quarter school, which means you have another few weeks). For many of you, today is your first day back to classes. Today's devotional focuses on a written prayer from Celtic Daily Prayer. Celtic Daily Prayer is a book of prayers developed by the Northumbria Community, a group of Christians in North East England. Their morning, midday and evening prayers are meant to help Christians all around the world pay attention to God's presence in their everyday lives.
As you read this excerpt from the morning prayer, envision the different things you'll be doing today- walking to class, hanging out at your chapter house, going to the gym.
MORNING PRAYER
Christ, as a light
illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield
overshadow me.
Christ under me;
Christ over me;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light;
Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
- What words or phrases stuck out to you as you read this? Why did it resonate with you?
- What are the things you have to do today? List out the places you'll be going to and the people you'll see.
- What would it look like for you to be more aware of God's presence with you as you go about your day? How would your interactions be different if you believed that Christ is "under me, over me, and beside me on my left and my right"?
- How would your interactions with people be different if you prayed this over them, "Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me."?
CLOSING REFLECTION
For a few years, I've been using Celtic Daily Prayer almost everyday. I find that even though the words are the same each day, I don't get bored or tired of them. God uses the repetition of these prayers to help me remember important truths about him and the world. They sink deeply into my mind and my heart and I'm able to be more aware of God's presence throughout my day.
When heading into a meeting with a student or navigating a difficult relationship, I am both comforted and challenged by the phrase, "Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me." These words help me to remember that each person I interact with is created in God's image- no matter how enjoyable or how terrible it is to be around them. Am I treating each person I see as someone created by God?
I am also both comforted and challenged when I recall the words, "Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right." I am comforted by the truth that Christ's presence is with me when I walk up the steps to a fraternity house to share about Greek IV. And I am challenged by that truth when I meet sorority sisters at the bar for happy hour. How am I carrying Jesus' presence with me wherever I go, knowing that I am his ambassador to the world?
For this week, consider reading this prayer each morning before you start your day. Continue to ask yourself, "How am I carrying Jesus' presence with me wherever I go, knowing that I am his ambassador to the world?"
