Stepping Stones

NIGHT PRAYER

Night Prayer

In this hour let me prepare for sleep with peace;
may my mind, body, heart and soul know all is well.
Help me realise the day is over, tomorrow but a promise
and this moment my only reality,

O Night in your certainty and retreat.

Give me rest and renewal of thought
Transform the day's rigors into rejoicing
Release all stress and recover Earth Power in healing
Let my inactivity and sleep bring the elements of life into my being.

Give harmony to my mind.
Purpose to my spirit.
Light to my soul.
Let Love be my law and my faith.

Let mind, body, heart and soul be united in light, for light, with light, through light.

In my mind - May clarity of desire be found in the Whole.
In my mind - May the contentment of commitment be my guide
In my mind - May I see responsibility and response as joy and gift.
In my mind - May I resolve all turmoil through your peace.
In my mind - Let the discipline of letting go be my only activity.
In my mind - Let the light of illumination be born of the fire in my heart.
In my mind - Let me release all thought of work into the dark.
In my mind - Let the love that echoes in the stars consume all fear.
In my mind - Give me dreams to colour my days with light.
In my mind - Give me purpose as means of gentle sleep.
In my mind - Give me realisation in the silent night of the Whole.
In my mind - Give me the abundance found in being.

In my body - May I surrender with cheerfulness to the dark in the knowledge of the light.
In my body - May I find deliverance from aches and pains in the hours of the stars.
In my body - May the act of retiring be an expression of simplicity born of trust.
In my body - May the gentleness of the dark relax but never overcome me.
In my body - Let me be prepared to embrace the purity of the Universe.
In my body - Let life restore my energies and commitment in stillness.
In my body - Let the wholeness of the Earth energise my flesh.
In my body - Let me release all tension in the laughter of the Whole.
In my body - Give me sense of my place in the creation of the Whole.
In my body - Give me means to worship even into sleep.
In my body - Give me peace in the very fibres of my makeup.
In my body - Give me power through fearless journeying into the dark.

In my heart - May my delight of the day transport me through the night.
In my heart - May I find in the deepest dark the generosity of the light.
In my heart - May I respect the need for rest and gently lay all down.
In my heart - May I approach each moment, each breath with openness.
In my heart - Let the persistence of the impulse of the Whole be mine.
In my heart - Let the insight brought in darkness complete me.
In my heart - Let me realise fulfillment is journeying into the dark lightly.
In my heartLet the quietness of the Whole release all yearning and give me rest.
In my heart - Give me reason to know joy is mine in trust.
In my heart - Give me openness so I may praise even in dreams.
In my heart - Give me knowledge of the mystery and majesty of the Whole.
In my heart - Give me passion for the light finding meaning in the sanctity of each moment.

In my soul - May I challenge that which is false and accept the need for change.
In my soul - May I find truth and rest in the guiding power of light.
In my soul - May the doubts and fear that would assail me be transformed by light.
In my soul - May I be filled with the happiness of the stars song.
In my soul - Let my constancy release all doubt and reflect only light.
In my soul - Let the resilience of life feed me and build up my steadfastness.
In my soul - Let me in all humility give over all ego to the Whole.
In my soul - Let the courage of truth guide my journey into the dark.
In my soul - Give me means to express thanks even in sleep.
In my soul - Give me rest from seeking and find refuge in the moment.
In my soul - Give me renewal of purpose, possibility and peace.
In my soul - Give me glimpse of the mystery held in the Whole and may I be ready to understand.

LET LOVE BE MY LAW AND MY FAITH.

As in Spring let the seeds of love germinate within me. May I be prepared and ready for growth and receive life with joy. Give me the ease of acceptance,the comfort of stars and the certainty born in darkness.

In Me, For Me, With Me, Through Me.

As in Summer let the warmth of life bear me onwards. May my dreams be filled with the mystery of the Universe. Give me light to understand and discern between dream and reality.

In Me, For Me, With Me, Through Me.

As in Autumn let the acceptance of letting go be mine. May I rejoice in loss through the revelation of the Whole. Give me peace to waken with conviction and commitment.

In Me, For Me, With Me, Through Me.

As in Winter let the darkness wrap me in the promise of light. May I reflect upon and renew my intent leaving all sense of lack in the night. Give me afresh the certainty of your majesty and enfold me in your unfathomable Wholeness.

In Me. For Me, With Me, Through Me.

Let Love be my law and my faith.
May that which is other
Unseen and unimagined
Be embraced and enveloped in my all.

I rest my mind in the dark,
I rest my body in the dark,
I rest my heart in the dark,
I rest my soul in the dark.

I find my mind engulfed in light,
I find my body engulfed in light,
I find my heart engulfed in light,
I find my soul engulfed in light.
Let light and I be one this night.

Make it so.

EVENING PRAYER

As with all the daily prayers I have composed, I say this using the Pilgrim Beads I designed as focus aid, so it follows the same pattern as all the daily prayers.

Evening Prayer

In this twilight hour, when my energies may be low, give me strong intent and
honest concentration. Let my mind wander as my heart stays true to open searching and lasting insight. May the wisdom of the Universe touch this spec and enrich my service. Give me the humility to understand how little I know and joy in the fact, that is the point.

O North star revealer of direction,

Dispel the clamour and confusion of the day.
Revive my flagging body and infuse my spirit with light.
Encourage my journey with reflections of Earths power.
Let the unison of the elements of life clarify my thoughts.

Give harmony to my mind.
Purpose to my spirit.
Light to my soul.
Let love be my law and my faith.

Let mind, body, heart and soul be united in light, for light, with light, through light.

In my mind - May the fire of light energise my thinking
In my mind - May I find the colour of truth and clothe all thoughts in it.
In my mind - May realisation and acceptance of the Whole be my guide.
In my mind - May my resolve be built upon the Whole not just my will.
In my mind - Let the clarity of the starlit evening fill me with wonder.
In my mind - Let my only contentment be the knowledge of how little I know.
In my mind - Let me rejoice at the awesome responsibility of being a seeker.
In my mind - Let the abundance of revelation be glimpsed with openness.
In my mind - Give me the discipline to hold thought and understanding in trust.
In my mind - Give me the purpose to continue when understanding eludes.
In my mind - Give me work that will stretch to the limit all my powers so I may find no limit in the Whole.

Let mind, body, heart and soul be united in light, for light, with light, through light.

In my body - May life flow through me in tender action and concentrated engagement.
In my body - May the sense of creation infuse every fibre with joy.
In my body - May I rest in peace, revelling in stillness, embracing calm.
In my body - May the gentleness of the Whole give me sustenance to continue.
In my body - Let my cheerfulness be real and true reflection of the Whole in my work.
In my body - Let me find deliverance from pain and strife in acceptance of the Whole.
In my body - Let simplicity be my guide, my measure and my endeavour.
In my body - Let all power be of the Whole, embraced with acceptance and thankfulness.
In my body - Give me the purity of intent found in a star filled sky.
In my body - Give me means to worship no matter the physical state.
In my body - Give me way to express the laughter I touch when I embrace the Whole.
In my body - Give me realisation that wholeness is always mine.

In my heart - May I delight in the small and insignificant for none is so when part of the Whole.
In my heart - May I be channel for the generosity of the Whole to all I come in contact with.
In my heart - May I respect insight and understanding found in words, others and the Whole.
In my heart - May I embrace life with the passion born of stars, carried on light, held in the Whole.
In my heart - Let the insight born of the Universe complete and compel me.
In my heart - Let joy be the power, inclination and sustenance.
In my heart - Let the sanctity of life create a matching rhythm and cycle of renewal.
In my heart - Let there be openness to love, light, wonder and life found in service.
In my heart - Give me the persistence to continue to seek, lay myself open and love truth.
In my heart - Give me means to praise through study, reaching out but holding fast to the Whole.
In my heart - Give me way to quietness, may each beat of my heart be echo of the Whole.
In my heart - Give me understanding that by my living can come fulfillment of the Whole.

In my soul - May I reveal and revel in constancy created in the Whole.
In my soul - May I acknowledge and embrace the resilience that is the Whole.
In my soul - May humility inform all my study may it be delight because it is part of the Whole.
In my soul - May the mystery and unfathomable nature of the Whole be my completeness.
In my soul - Let truth be my guide and measure in all thought and activity.
In my soul - Let thanks be my purpose and my energy in the living.
In my soul - Let me find renewal and replenishment in my study and my work.
In my soul - Let me know the challenge of the continuing moment.
In my soul - Give me courage to stand firm, accept with grace and rejoice in all things.
In my soul - Give me rest so that I may be refreshed and ready for understanding.
In my soul - Give me moments of sheer happiness and contentment in the moment.
In my soul - Give me light to guide thought and action as offering to the whole.

LET LOVE BE MY LAW AND MY FAITH

As in Spring let me be open to the revelation of the light.
May it reflect upon my study and inform my understanding.
Give me honest openness and heart engaged concentration.

In Me, For Me, With Me, Through Me.

As in Summer let me welcome growth and colour to my heart and mind.
May I find expression through my work and study.
Give me the energy to pursue and ponder the truth.

In Me, For Me, With Me, Through Me.

As in Autumn let me sift and sort, laying aside the unhealthy or spent.
May I review both my work and myself with clear eye.
Give me the wholeness of the day and let me respond with clarity.

In Me, For Me, With Me, Through Me.

As In Winter let me consider quietly in silence and in revel in the light dawning through the dark.
May I honour, in my dedication to the moments of seeking, that of the Whole revealed.
Give me questions for my answers, motive for my reason and love for my living.

In Me, For Me, With Me, Through Me.

Let love be my law and my faith.
May that which is other
Unseen and unimagined
Be embraced and enveloped in my all.

I open my mind to reflection
I open my heart to praise
I open my body to worship
I open my soul to the Whole.

My mind is made a conduit
My heart is made a vessel
My body is made an altar
My soul is made as one.

Make it so.

Morning Prayer - Opening phrases

Below are the opening phrases for each month of the year for the Morning Prayer, January to December.

In this month of light growing let me turn my heart, mind and soul towards its illumination. May I find counsel, insight and wisdom in its illumination and with honesty realise the change and challenges to be met.

In the month of awakening may I be open and ready for the stirrings of my heart and mind remembering each moment is brought forth in light.

In this month of beginning may I find joy and purpose in the reflection in my life of new growth and abundance promised, of life expressed in living and my living bringing forth life.

In this month of colour may my life be filled with the colour of Earth. May my heart and mind be place for the seeds of love grow

In this month of music and stars may I rejoice with voice and actions. May the ever changing Universe be my guide to ways of change in harmony and growth and let my life reflect this today

In this month of glorious light may I seek out all shadows in my life and hold up to the power finding celebration, understanding and truth as my revelation.

In this month of long days and light nights give me the will to rest in the moment and abandon all thoughts of excess, keep my heart, mind and body in rhythm with the light but not in mindless activity

In this month of bounty may I give thanks for the many gifts and abundance of realisation that each moment brings. May the responsibility to harvest great riches through mindful work be my joy and purpose.

In this month of change may I be aware of transformation wrought by rhythm and ritual. May I gratefully accept that the change is imperceptible to my eyes but found clear in a heart and mind centred in truth moment by moment.

In this month of slower pace may I take the opportunity to cleanse myself ready for the days of dark ahead happy in the knowledge of the light unfailing and the promise of dawn.

In this month of decay may I let go of that which has run its course and welcome the bareness that offers hope of new life in days to come.

In this month of deepest darkness may I be certain of the promise of returning light. Let me hold fast in the peace of the moment found in the merest glimmer of the sun’s rays in my heart.

Morning Prayer

As with all the daily prayers I have composed for my use, this prayer is said using the beads I have designed called Pilgrim Beads, as way to help me focus. The Morning Prayer like the Afternoon, Evening and Night prayer is longer than the Waking Prayer, going round the circle of beads twice. Other than that the pattern of use is the same as the Waking prayer

(The Morning Prayer begins differently each month this is October’s beginning.)

MORNING PRAYER

In this month of slower pace may I take the opportunity to cleanse myself ready for the days of dark ahead happy in the knowledge of the light unfailing and the promise of dawn.

O Morning full of wonder and possibility-

Lead me to peace and understanding.
Awaken and heal my body and spirit.
Energise and fill me with Earth power.
Turn the elements of life into my living.

Give harmony to my mind.
Purpose to my spirit.
Light to my soul.
Let Love be my law and my faith.

Let mind, body, heart and soul be united in light, for light, with light, through light.

In my mind - May I find abundance in knowledge of the Whole.
In my mind - May the realisation of my link to the Whole give impetus to my learning.
In my mind - May the purpose of my thinking be only to understand the moment.
In my mind - May the colours of the Earth fill all the corners of my mind with their wonder.
In my mind - Let me love the moment, all life and the Whole with mindfulness.
In my mind - Let me work in small ways to add to the Whole with thought and reflection.
In my mind - Let me find the light of the Universe as fire within.
In my mind – Let me embrace life with discipline of thought.
In my mind - Give me resolve to know, understand and accept with peace.
In my mind - Give me responsibility as gift not burden.
In my mind - Give me contentment of mind in each moment.
In my mind - Give me clarity of action through gentle thought.

Let mind, body, heart and soul be united in light, for light, with light, through light.

In my body - May the power of the Whole guide my footsteps.
In my body - May the peace of the Universe reflect in my actions.
In my body - May all tasks large or small be way of worship.
In my body - May these hands that bring forth creation do so without ego.
In my body - Let me walk upon the Earth with gentleness.
In my body - Let me live in body and with Earth in simplicity.
In my body - Let me realise all pain may find deliverance in the moment.
In my body - Let me radiate in my demeanour the cheerfulness of light.
In my body - Give me laughter to uplift and heal.
In my body - Give me wholeness as reflection of the greater Whole.
In my body - Give me life as momentary wonder and grace.
In my body - Give me purity no matter the state of the flesh

Let mind, body, heart and soul be united in light, for light, with light, through light.

In my heart - May I find always the passion of life and life as passion.
In my heart - May the sanctity of the Whole envelop and enrich me.
In my heart - May I praise the Earth and the Universe with every breath.
In my heart - May the joy of the moment be all and more than I may hold.
In my heart - Let me search in quietness the echo of the Whole I find there.
In my heart - Let me embrace the fulfilment of desire with peace.
In my heart - Let me be open to insight at all times and in all places.
In my heart - Let me be persistent in my examination and acceptance of the Whole.
In my heart - Give me openness and vulnerability to all life.
In my heart - Give me respect of my place in the Whole and my part in it.
In my heart - Give me generosity of motive, action and time.
In my heart - Give me delight in knowing the Earth and Universe are one with me this moment.

Let mind, body, heart and soul be united in light, for light, with light, through light.

In my soul - May the mystery of the Earth and the Universe be glimpsed.
In my soul - May I find renewal of peace and purpose.
In my soul - May I rest in the knowledge that all is well in the Whole.
In my soul - May I give thanks with every fibre of my being and just be.
In my soul - Let me be open to the real moments of happiness.
In my soul - Let me embrace and long for the light in each moment.
In my soul - Let me consider in truth the life I offer to the Whole.
In my soul - Let me rejoice at the challenge I know I cannot meet alone.
In my soul - Give me courage to face what is revealed of myself.
In my soul - Give me humility to accept my failings and your wonders.
In my soul - Give me the resilience to continue to ask what is wanted.
In my soul - Give me constancy to always commit myself to the Whole each moment.

LET LOVE BE MY LAW AND MY FAITH.

As in Spring let there be growth and life expressed. May my mind long for the truth of heart. In truth let my body work and my soul strive to solve the problems of this day.

In Me, For Me, With Me, Through Me.

As in Summer let there be light and fruitfulness. May I see further than just surface detail to the essence of things. Let Love in me serve others, may I see and find purpose in this.

In Me, For Me, With Me, Through Me.

As in Autumn let there be change and shedding of the old. May I reason and feel soundly when facing myself. Let my hands touch the Earth with wonder and know the power of my humanness.

In Me, For Me, With Me, Through Me.

As in Winter let there be stillness, expectancy and patience. May I know all solutions are found in who and where I am in the Whole. Let thankfulness build that, which is me into small echo of the Whole.

In Me, For Me, With me, Through Me.

LET LOVE BE MY LAW AND MY FAITH
May that which is other
Unseen and unimagined
Be embraced and enveloped in my all.

I realise the wonder, I realise the grace, I realise the moment is the only thing to face.

I welcome the wonder, I welcome the grace, I welcome the moment in which I stand in faith.

MAKE IT SO.

CENTRING PRAYER

This prayer is used throughout the day whenever I feel the need be it pushing supermarket trolly or sitting under a friendly oak tree; from recovery from an encounter to preparation for an encounter it's reached for. It's a short prayer like the Waking Prayer so easily 'transported' from heart to lips to voice :0)

CENTRING PRAYER

O Earth, In this moment let the Whole in me be.
In this moment let me embrace your understanding.
In this moment let me continue in love. (celtic symbol)

Let me rest in you. (large wood bead)

May the scent of you calm and refresh me. (purple stone)
May the sounds of you fill and sooth me. (blue stone)
May the sight of you revive and enable me. (red stone)
May your touch be my life and living. (brown stone)

Give harmony to my mind. (white wood bead)
Purpose to my spirit. (grey stone)
Light to my soul. (grey stone)
Let Love be my law and my faith (silver star)

Release my mind from fear, release my body from pain,
release my heart from discomfort, release the centre of me from doubt.
In this moment let me be ready and open. (yellow faceted bead)

In Me, For Me, With Me, Through Me. (X3 on natural and black wood beads)

Revive my mind to clarity, revive my body to expression,
revive my heart to strength, revive the centre of me to seeking.
In this moment let me rejoice and be filled. (yellow faceted bead)

In Me, For Me, With Me, Through Me. (X3 on natural and black beads)

Replace all wandering thought with mindfulness, replace all rush with gentle progress,
replace all desire with understanding, replace all questions with illumination.
In this moment let me reveal and respond. (yellow faceted bead)

In Me, For Me, With Me, Through Me. (X3 on natural and black beads)

Renew my energy for study, renew my expression through work,
renew my love for life, renew my link to the Whole.
In this moment let me be still and waiting. (yellow faceted bead)

In Me, For Me, With Me, Through Me. (X3 on natural and black beads)

Let Love be my law and my faith. (silver star)
May that which is other (grey stone)
Unseen and unimagined (grey stone)
Be embraced and enveloped in my all. (white wood bead)

In this moment I rest my mind, (large wood bead)
in this moment I rest my body, (“)
in this moment I rest my heart, (“)
in this moment I rest at my centre. (“)

In this moment I know I am whole. (celtic symbol)

Make it so. (ring bell)

WAKING PRAYER

Waking Prayer

Welcome O light, overcome my ambiguity, in my awakening illuminate all things of my mind and heart. Give me an intensity of awareness and make everything clear. (celtic symbol)

O light transformer and catalyst (large wood bead)

Let me awaken in love and gentleness. (purple stone)
Reconnect me with your revitalising power and purpose. (blue stone)
In this day let your luminosity fill every cell of my being. (red stone)
May this be my way and being for this day. (brown stone)

Give harmony to my mind (white women bead)
Purpose to my spirit (grey stone)
Light to my soul. (grey stone)
Let love be my law and my faith. (silver star)

As in Spring let me be ready for transformation (yellow faceted bead)
May I prepare myself by tending heart, mind and body in light. (")
Let my feet praise the Earth. (")

In Me, For Me, With Me, Through Me. (X3 on natural and black wood beads)

As in Summer let me be reflection of abundance (yellow faceted bead)
Through participation in the Whole and continuation in the moment. (“)
Let my hands tend the Earth. (“)

In Me, For Me, With Me, Through Me. (X3 on each natural and black bead)

As in Autumn let me be aware that each moment is the future and the past
(yellow faceted bead)
It is now and always I am and will be. (")
Let myheart hear the Earth. (“)

In Me, For Me, With Me, Through Me. (X3 on each natural and black bead)

As in Winter let me be witness to the promise of light (yellow faceted bead)
Help me take responsibility for my own development. (“)
Let my soul watch the earth. (“)

In Me, For Me, With Me, Through Me. (X3 on each natural and black bead)

Let love be my law and faith. (silver star)
May that which is other (white wood bead)
Unseen and unimagined (grey stone)
Be embraced and envelop in the moment of being. (grey stone)

May the cosmic thought that fills and informs the Whole be connection to me. Give my intention truth and my actions peace. (large wood bead)

I welcome the light with each breath (celtic symbol)
I embrace the light with the whole of my self (“)
In this day let me be. (“)

Make it so. (ring bell)

This prayer is shorter than the other daily prayers, though I have had thoughts to match its length to the Morning, Afternoon, Evening and Night prayers I have composed, I have concluded that it is the right length for the time of day and my awareness or should that be awakeness :0).

My use of a prayer counter is tactile memory aid, tool to focus on the act and in truth for myself aid to concentrate the body on stillness and concentration rather than its vagaries or absecences. The beads used to make the counter are a little larger than other prayer counters / rosaries / malas etc., because I find them easier to hold and pass through my fingers without the focus becoming the beads themselves.