Everyday Prayers

Whether using a full form of morning prayer or simply the opening lines below, give thanks for the day ahead as a gift from God.

As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,

so may the light of your presence, O God,

set our hearts on fire with love for you;

now and for ever.

From Morning Prayer in Common Worship: Daily Prayer. © The Archbishops’ Council 2004. Used with permission.

Call to mind the places you will be and people you will be with today. God will be present with you wherever you are. Where and when do you need to know this most of all today.

God, our light and our salvation,

as we seek your light in our everyday faith,

illuminate our lives,

that we may see your goodness in the land of the living,

and, looking on your beauty,

may be changed into the likeness of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Adapted from the Psalm Prayer for Psalm 27 in Common Worship: Daily Prayer. © The Archbishops’ Council 2004. Used with permission.

Offer to God the places of your day, the people you will meet (known and unknown), and the ways you will spend your time - that God would be glorified and Christ revealed in all you are and do.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

Amen.

from St Patrick’s Breastplate

Wherever you are, sit comfortably and be still. Relax, but don’t curl up and go to sleep! This is about being attentive to yourself and to God!

Recall one moment that you are grateful for from today. Remember how you felt. Notice these feelings and, since all good things come from God, simply be grateful.

What is making you feel awkward or wound up? What’s weighing on your mind in this moment? Offer these things to God and ask for the freedom that comes with the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Try to recall the events of the day. Reflect on what has happened and how you feel about it. Trust the Holy Spirit to show you the things that are important to think through and the insights important to know.

Tell God anything that comes to mind – jot it down, speak it out or think it through.  God already knows our needs, this is to help us identify what we need to be aware of, let go or recognise.

An Examen prayer can take a few minutes or a good hour. However long you have been able to give, offer this time to God with a closing prayer.

Before the ending of the day,

Creator of the world, we pray

That you, with steadfast love, would keep

Your watch around us while we sleep.

From evil dreams defend our sight,

From fears and terrors of the night;

Tread underfoot our deadly foe

That we no sinful thought may know.

O Father, that we ask be done

Through Jesus Christ, your only Son;

And Holy Spirit, by whose breath

Our souls are raised to life from death.

Amen.

From Common Worship Night Prayer (Compline). Common Worship: Daily Prayer is © The Archbishops’ Council 2004 and published by Church House Publishing. Used with permission.