Censing Prayer (WC)

(Wendy Cabell, July 20, 2020, feast day of the Prophet Elijah, and the Chukhloma Icon of the Mother of God. Poem inspired by Esther de Waal's class An Introduction to Celtic Spirituality, via St Paul's Cathedral, London, England.)

Censing Prayer

Bless, O Lord, mine eye,

       Let mine eye bless all it sees.*

Bless, O Lord, mine ear,

        Let mine ear bless all it hears.

Bless, O Lord, mine mouth,

        Let mine mouth bless all it speaks.

Bless, O Lord, mine hand,

        Let mine hand bless all it holds.

Bless, O Lord, mine foot,

        Let mine foot bless 'ere it tread.

Bless, O Lord, this day,

          From morning dew 'till bed.

                                                Amen.

*Verse from a Celtic prayer at least 200 years old, from the Carmina Gadelica (vol. III, v.266-7).