by Ken Sehested,
Wake up, sleepy-head! Rouse yourselves, all you who have been sedated by the mindless blather coming from statehouse and church house alike. Knock some sense into each other, all you who have come to believe that that strength comes from your own hand, that security is held by your own harness.
With my own eyes I saw the Blessed One before me: Christ above me, Christ before me. Christ behind me, Christ within me.
Let loose your timid tongue to declare Mercy’s approach in response to Mary’s supplication. Raise hearts of gladness for the annulment of enmity. Let your body’s senses relish the hope of Heaven’s embrace.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me. Christ on my right side, Christ on my left.
For your Lover is faithful, watchful. God is ever vigilant. Rare the mother who abandons her child. Rarer still the Womb of Heaven who forgets her offspring.
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down. Christ when I arise, Christ to shield me.
For you, Most Humble Lord, guide me in the paths of righteousness; you disclose the way of justice; and your Presence makes glad my soul and makes haste my feet!
From all who wish me ill, afar and anear, alone and in a multitude, against every cruel and merciless power that may oppose my body and soul: I arise today!
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inspired by Acts 2:25-28, Psalm 16:8-11, and “The Deer’s Cry,” anonymous 8th century poem often attributed to St. Patrick
—from “In the Land of the Living: Prayers personal and public”
©ken sehested @ prayerandpolitiks.org