Sheltering with God at Home: A Collection of

Prayers and Poems

A gift from the Pastoral Care team at

Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral

Dear Saint Mark’s Friends:

We miss you and the moments we share in prayer and praise. Because we are absent from one another, we long deeply for the comfort of our communal rites and rituals. We are all monks now! In light of this pandemic and time of seclusion, the Pastoral Care team has gathered together some special prayers, poems, and liturgy into the enclosed booklet. We trust you will discover some helpful material for your own monastic journey. Whether you feel gratitude, grief, fear, loneliness, or curiosity, we think you will find pieces that provide some support and give you hope. Know that your Saint Mark’s community stands with you and sends its care and concern during this unusual season of separation. May you stay safe, well, and secure in the knowledge that God is ever present.

Yours in Christ,

Helen Hansen, Pastoral Coordinator, Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral.

If you have a pastoral need or would simply like to talk with one of us, please call and leave a message at 612-870-7800 Ext 101 (Pastoral Care voicemail). (You can dial 101 anytime after the the message starts!) You may also email us at pastoralcare@ourcathedral.org.

Morning Devotions

From Psalm 51Open my lips, O Lord, * and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. Create in me a clean heart, O God, * and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence * and take not your holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of your saving help again * and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

A Reading

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3

A period of silence may follow.

Canticle A Song of Praise Benedictus es, Domine

Blessed art thou, O Lord God of our fathers; * praised and exalted above all for ever.Blessed art thou for the name of thy Majesty; * praised and exalted above all for ever.Blessed art thou in the temple of thy holiness; * praised and exalted above all for ever.Blessed art thou that beholdest the depths,and dwellest between the Cherubim; * praised and exalted above all for ever.Blessed art thou on the glorious throne of thy kingdom; * praised and exalted above all for ever.Blessed art thou in the firmament of heaven; * praised and exalted above all for ever.Blessed art thou, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; * praised and exalted above all for ever.

Prayers may be offered for ourselves and others.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Collect

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Evening Devotions

O gracious light,pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!Now as we come to the setting of the sun,and our eyes behold the vesper light,we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,O Son of God, O Giver of Life,and to be glorified through all the worlds.

A Reading

It is not ourselves that we proclaim; we proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants, for Jesus’ sake. For the same God who said, “Out of darkness let light shine,” has caused his light to shine within us, to give the light of reve-lation—the revelation of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.2 Corinthians 4:5-6

Prayers may be offered for ourselves and others.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Collect

Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen.

Prayers with the Sick

Jesus said: Come unto me, all you that are weary and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matt. 11:30

Let us pray:

God our refuge and strength, close at hand in our distress,Meet us at the crossroads of life and lift our eyesto the peace and light of your constant care.Help us hear your word of grace so that our fear will be dispelled by your love,our loneliness eased by your presence and our hope renewed by the promises you have made to your people throughout the ages. Amen

Suggested Scripture Readings Psalm 23 Psalm 121 John 14:1-6 Romans 8:31-39 Let us pray:

Compassionate God of love,You know us and call us by name.You know the secret desires of our heartsand hold our pain with unending compassion.We pray today that N. may be released from any unresolved burden, concern or fear. May s/he be healed in all ways that are possible,and may s/he find comfort in your presence now and always.Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you, in your going out and in your coming in; in your rising and in your lying down; in your mourning and in your peace; in your labor and in your leisure; in your laughter and in your tears; until you come to stand before God in the day to which there is no sunset and no dawn. In the name of God, who is Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer now and for evermore. Amen

Centering Prayer

Centering prayer is a form of contemplative prayer. This is a quiet, meditative style of prayer, where we seek to quiet our minds so that we can just be in God’s presence and hear what the Spirit might be saying to us.There is no “right” or “wrong” way to pray or be in the presence of God. Below are two approaches to centering prayer that some of your fellow St. Markans find helpful.Note: it is traditional to sit upright during centering prayer, but please position yourself comfortably as your condition allows.

“Be still and know that I am God”

This simple prayer centers around a line from the Psalms: “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). This line is prayed repeatedly, paring away a word with each repetition, leading you simply “be.” The words can be prayed out loud, or quietly to yourself.

Getting Started

1) Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit as you are able. Some prefer a chair, some prefer to sit on the floor or on a cushion. Settle in, gently close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths, in through your nose and out through your mouth.

2) Pray the words, “Be still and know that I am God.” 3) After several deep breaths, pray “Be still and know that

I am.”4) After several deep breaths, pray “Be still and know.”5) After several deep breaths, pray “Be still.”6) After several deep breaths, pray “Be.”7) When you’re ready, perhaps after several more deep

breaths, pray, “Amen.”

Take your time. Gently open your eyes when it feels right to end your prayer time.

Be still and know that I am GodBe still and know that I am

Be still and knowBe still

Be

Sacred Word

This approach has a little less structure, focused around a “sacred word” or phrase that helps you to focus and let go of your thoughts. It serves as a reminder of the intention to quiet our often busy minds and listen with our hearts, remaining open to silence.Some have a sacred word that they often use, others will find that the appropriate sacred word arises in the moment. It is okay to change your sacred word while you are in the midst of centering prayer if the one you started with isn’t feeling right in the moment.Common sacred words include words about God, such as “Abba,” “Come Lord,” or “Spirit”; others settle on words like “love,” “be still,” or “peace.” Do what feels right.

Getting Started

1) Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit as you are able. Some prefer a chair, some prefer to sit on the floor or on a cushion. Settle in, gently close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths, in through your nose and out through your mouth.

2) Allow your heart to open to God.3) When you become aware of a thought, acknowledge it,

and let it go. Remember your sacred word, letting it re-mind you of your intention to sit in silence with God.

4) At the end of your prayer time, gently open your eyes.

Many people use a timer with this form of centering prayer, aiming to pray this way for 20 to 30 minutes. This will be difficult to do initially; start with 5 minutes and, if this prayer practice is meaningful for you, slowly increase the time. Having thoughts arise while you pray in this way is expected. They may be routine, they may be uncomfortable, they may be an awareness of feeling good. In all cases, acknowledge the thought without further engaging with it, and turn your mind to your sacred word, letting the thought go. This becomes easier to do with practice.

Prayers and Poems

This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, let me do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen p. 461 Book of Common Prayer

Lord, you are a present help in trouble.Come reviveRedeemRestoreIn our darkness come as lightIn our sadness come as joyIn our troubles come as peaceIn our weakness come as strengthCome Lord to our aidReviveRedeemRestore usO LordOpen our eyes to your PresenceOpen our minds to your graceOpen our lips to your praisesOpen our hearts to your loveOpen our lives to your healing And be found among us.

David Adam

May our eyes remain open even in the face of tragedy.May we not become disheartened.May we find in the dissolution of our apathy and denial, the cup of the broken heart.May we discover the gift of the fire burning in the inner chamber of our being – burning great and bright enough to transform any poison.May we offer the power of our sorrow to the service of something greater than ourselves.May our guilt not rise up to form yet another defensive wall.May the suffering purify and not paralyze us.May we endure; may sorrow bond us and not separate us.May we realize the greatness of our sorrow and not run from its touch or its flame.May clarity be our ally and wisdom our support.May our wrath be cleansing, cutting through the confusion of denial and greed.May we not be afraid to see or speak our truth.May the bleakness of the wasteland be dispelled.May the soul’s journey be revealed and the true hunger fed.May we be forgiven for what we have forgottenand blessed with the remembrance of who we really are.

The Terma Collective

Prayer of St. Frances of AssisiLord, make me an instrument of thy peace.Where there is hatred, let me sow love.Where there is injury, pardon.Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.Where there is darkness, light.Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may notso much seek to be consoled as to console;to be understood as to understand;to be loved, as to love.For it is in giving that we receive.It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Who You AreYou are a rare wild orchid, magically lit from within but warmed outside by flaming sun of passion.You are strong, and cling tenaciously to love.No jungle predator can tear you from your home, for you protect your own.But when the shrieking storms have blown down all the stable trunks of home,And you stand swaying in the shifting wind,Know this, my friend;You are more than who you think.No one can define you, or diminish you,Even at the brink of loss and sorrow.You hold within yourself the seeds of growth and power, the light of understanding.These contain the blueprint of your larger family. Wave Carberry

Prayer invites God to be present in our spirits and in our lives.Prayer cannot bring water to parched land, nor mend a broken bridgenor rebuild a ruined city, but prayer can water an arid soul,mend a broken heart and rebuild a weakened will. Abraham Joshua Heschel

When despair for the world grows in my and I wake in the night at the least soundIn fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.

I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free. Wendell Berry

All shall be Amen and Alleluia.We shall rest and we shall see.We shall see and we shall know.We shall know and we shall love.We shall love and we shall praise.Behold our end which is no end. St. Augustine

Almighty God, you are the source of healing, the spirit of calm and the central peace of the universe. We ask that you would fill us with such an awareness of your presence within that we may have complete confidence in you. In all pain and weariness and anxiety, may we rest in your protecting care. May we know ourselves to be encircled by your loving power so that we may allow you to give us strength and peace. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Adapted from Avery Brooke

The Shelter of GodLord you are my hiding placeA shelter from the stormA protection from the heatI rest under the cover of your wingYour love is all around meAbove me to uplift meBeneath me to support meBehind me to protect meBefore me to guide meAround me to shield meWithin me to strengthen meLord you are my hiding placeThis day and foreverThis day and forever David Adam

Additional resources for prayer and study:

Online Book of Common Prayer www.bcponline.org

Living Prayers – contemporary prayers for today www.living-prayers.com

Pray As You Go (Daily scripture and meditation) https://pray-as-you-go.org

We Are All Monks Now – an essay from the Collegeville Institute by Gerald Schlabachhttps://collegevilleinstitute.org/bearings/we-are-all-monks-now/

Books (available through the Cathedral Bookstore or online)Ester de Waal, Seeking God: The Way of St. Benedict (Liturgical Press: Collegeville, MN, 2001)

Joan Chittister, A Little Rule for Beginners: Insights into Benedictine Spirituality (Benetvision: Erie, PA, 2018)

Joan Chittister, The Rule of Benedict: A Spirituality for the 21st Century (Crossroad: New York, NY, 2010)

John McQuiston II, Always We Begin Again: The Benedictine Way of Living (Morehouse: New York, NY, 2011)

Hour by Hour (Forward Movement: New York, NY, 2002)