Celtic Daily Prayer

Finally the Celtic Evening Prayer ends with these words

See that ye be at peace among yourselves, my children, and love one another.

Follow the example of the wise and good

and God will comfort you and help you,

both in this world

and in the world which is to come.

If there is one word that seems to be on so many people’s hearts and minds it’s that of Peace in our troubled world. But as the famous quotation by Inger Skjelsbæk reads, “If peace is just the absence of war, then you have peace in lots of places. But if peace is also well-being and resilience to conflicts, then it is more challenging.”

Surely this is what Jesus was getting at when he said, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 (Living Bible) Here, Jesus promises peace, a peace that the world cannot give. We all yearn for inner peace, for peace in our families and in our communities. We are shocked at wars that seem never-ending, where no one seems willing to seek peace. 

We ask Jesus for the peace he offers me, we ask for the grace to be like him, bringing peace wherever we are.

In 1555, Nicholas Ridley was burned at the stake because of his witness for Christ. On the night before Ridley's execution, his brother offered to remain with him in the prison chamber to be of assistance and comfort. Nicholas declined the offer and replied that he meant to go to bed and sleep as quietly as ever he did in his life. Because he knew the peace of God, he could rest in the strength of the everlasting arms of his Lord to meet his need. 

Is this the sort of example that the Evening Celtic Prayer suggests that we should follow.

Creator God,

may your peace go with us 

wherever we will be this day

May you guide us through the challenges,

protect us when in need

and inspire us with your love.

May we acknowledge your presence

in all the human goodness we will see.

May you bring us home rejoicing

to our place of rest this night.

Creator God,

we now go into this day in the name of the Father

and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.