Prayers for the Journey

My favorite prayer is an ancient prayer known simply as “the Jesus prayer”:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
This prayer reminds us of our identity as sinners in desperate need of a savior, and it reminds us that it is only in and through Jesus that we have hope and mercy. You can also simply pray, “Lord Jesus, have mercy.” When I am afraid and overwhelmed, these four words remind me to rest in Jesus, who is the author and perfector of my faith.

God of your goodness, give me yourself, for you are sufficient for me... If I were to ask anything less I should always be in want, for in you alone do I have all.
 - Julian of Norwich.
This prayer reminds me of Psalm 16:1-2 “Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”

O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
in Your protecting love
and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You,
we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose, Your will through all things.
- St. Ignatius of Loyola
Let us rest in you alone. When our lives are overwhelmed by darkness, remind us of you. You are our perfect strength and peace.

I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me…
Restore me to liberty,
And enable me to live now
That I may answer before you and before me.
Lord, whatever this day may bring,
Your name be praised. 
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
You know the way for me, Lord. I know I can’t do this life on my own – I am full of fear and darkness. But you are light and life. Let me seek you and rest in you.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude.

Christ shield me today
Against wounding
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.
- St Patrick
I love this prayer because of its simplicity and its amazing theological truth. Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me. Read Psalm 139 and remind yourself that God hems you in behind and before. Christ is all and is in all. Rest in the one who sustains you.

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