As dusk embraces the sky and the day's toil becomes a memory, I retreat to the comfort of my room, the Inner Court Prayer Book in hand, and my heart lifted in prayer. I recite:
"MAKER of all things, God most high, Great ruler of the starry sky, Robing the day in beauteous light, In soft repose the quiet night: That sleep may weary limbs restore, And fit for toil and use once more: May gently soothe the careworn breast And lull our anxious griefs to rest.
We thank thee for the day now gone, And while the night is drawing on, O help us sinners, as we raise To thee our votive hymn of praise. To thee our hearts their music bring, Thee our united voices sing.
To thee our chaste affections soar, Thee may our chastened souls adore. So, when the parting light of day In night's deep shadow fades away, Let faith no wildering darkness know, But night with faith effulgent glow.
O sleepless ever keep the mind, But guilt in lasting slumber bind: Let faith our purity renew And temper slumber's heavy dew. From every carnal passion free, O may our hearts repose in thee, Nor envious fiend with harmful snare Our rest with sinful terrors scare.
Christ, with the Father ever one, Spirit of Father and of Son, God over all, of mighty sway, Shield us, great Trinity, we pray. Amen."
With each word, each line, a wave of tranquility washes over me, calming the day's remnants and fortifying my spirit for the morrow. In this sacred moment, I am reminded of the boundless grace that guides us through the ebb and flow of our earthly journey.
May this night bring rest to the weary, comfort to the troubled, and peace to all souls in search of light. May the morning find us renewed, our faith strengthened, ready to embrace the gift of a new day.
Goodnight, dear diary, until we meet at dawn's first light.
With a hopeful heart, Kathy
No comments:
Post a Comment