Meditations From The Hammock Series: Prayers Of Saints

Hello and welcome to this meditation.

Today's meditation will be focused on prayers of the saints.

This is part of the Meditations from the Hammock series.

Perhaps you are in hammock practicing,

Listening,

Or maybe you prefer to be seated in a comfortable chair,

On a meditation cushion,

Or some other way.

Or perhaps you prefer to be reclined on a mat,

In bed,

Or another comfortable way.

You are invited to soften into your space,

Closing the eyes or having a soft gaze,

And we'll prepare now to listen to the prayers of the saints.

Take a few breaths and bring your whole self into this space.

If you would like,

We'll begin with a breath prayer.

We'll follow the meditation prayer of St.

Francis of Assisi,

Using our God-given breath as we breathe in,

Think,

Or even say,

My God,

And inhale,

And exhale,

My God,

And as we breathe out,

Think,

Or say,

My all.

Breathe in,

My God,

Breathe out,

My all.

Breathe in,

My God,

Breathe out,

My all.

Try a few rounds following your own breath.

When you're ready,

Allow your natural breath to take over.

Perhaps softening the jaw,

Maybe open and close that bottom jaw a time or two.

Soften the tongue,

Let it float away from the roof of the mouth.

Try to make yourself 5-10% more comfortable,

If you're preferring stillness.

Add in as many props as you would like to be able to be comfortable,

Be in this shape,

And keep it sustainable for the duration of our practice together today.

If you prefer more creative movement,

You might choose to sketch or journal during this meditation as the prayers are shared.

Whatever you choose,

Let your imagination have full reign here.

Take creative license,

Let your heart,

Body,

Mind,

Soul,

And spirit experience the prayers of the saints.

We'll begin with the prayer of Saint Teresa of Avila.

Let nothing disturb you.

Let nothing frighten you.

All things are passing away.

God never changes.

Patience obtains all things.

Whoever has God lacks nothing.

God alone suffices.

Our next prayer will be from Saint Francis of Assisi.

Instrument of your peace.

Lord,

Make me an instrument of your peace where there is hatred,

Let me sow love.

Where there is injury,

Let me sow pardon.

Where there is doubt,

Let me sow faith.

Where there is despair,

Let me sow hope.

Where there is darkness,

Let me sow love.

And where there is sadness,

Let me sow joy.

O Divine Master,

Grant that I may not so 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,

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

Our next prayer will be the prayer of Saint Patrick.

Christ with me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ within me,

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

Our next prayer will be from Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

All to me.

To you,

Lord,

I return it.

All is thine.

Dispose of it wholly according to thy will.

Give me thy love and thy grace,

For this is sufficient for me.

Our next prayer will be the canticle of brother,

Son,

And sister Moon of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Most High,

All powerful,

All good Lord,

All praise is yours,

All glory,

All honor,

And all blessings.

To you alone,

Most high do they belong,

And no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.

Praised be you,

My Lord,

With all your creatures,

Especially Sir Brother Son,

Who is the day through whom you give us light,

And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor.

O you,

Most high,

He bears the likeness.

Praised be you,

My Lord,

Through sister Moon and the stars.

In the heavens you have made them bright,

Precious,

And fair.

Praised be you,

My Lord,

Through brother's wind and air,

And fair and stormy,

All-weathers moods,

By which you cherish all that you have made.

Praised be you,

My Lord,

Through sister Water,

So useful,

Humble,

Precious,

And pure.

Praised be you,

My Lord,

Through Brother Fire,

Through whom you light the night,

And he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be you,

My Lord,

Through our sister,

Mother Earth,

Who sustains and governs us,

Producing varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Praised be you,

My Lord,

Through those who grant pardon for love of you and bear sickness and trial.

Blessed are those who endure in peace,

By you most high they will be crowned.

Praised be you,

My Lord,

Through sister Death,

From whom no one living can escape.

Woe to those who die in mortal sin.

Blessed are they she finds doing your will.

No second death can do them harm.

Praise and bless,

My Lord,

And give him thanks,

And serve him with great humility.

The next prayer is the anima Christi of Saint Elizabeth Anne Seton.

Soul of Jesus,

Sanctify me.

Blood of Jesus,

Wash me.

Passion of Jesus,

Comfort me.

Wounds of Jesus,

Hide me.

Heart of Jesus,

Receive me.

Spirit of Jesus,

Enliven me.

Goodness of Jesus,

Pardon me.

Beauty of Jesus,

Draw me.

Humility of Jesus,

Humble me.

Peace of Jesus,

Pacify me.

Love of Jesus,

Inflame me.

Kingdom of Jesus,

Come to me.

Grace of Jesus,

Replenish me.

Mercy of Jesus,

Pity me.

Vastness of Jesus,

Sanctify me.

Purity of Jesus,

Purify me.

Cross of Jesus,

Support me.

Nails of Jesus,

Hold me.

Mouth of Jesus,

Bless me in life,

In death,

In time,

And eternity.

Mouth of Jesus,

Defend me in the hour of death.

Mouth of Jesus,

Call me to come to thee.

Mouth of Jesus,

Receive me with thy saints in glory and evermore.

Amen.

If you have a patron saint,

You might choose to say this prayer.

O heavenly patron,

In whose name I glory,

Pray ever to God for me.

Strengthen me in my faith,

Establish me in virtue,

Guard me in the conflict that I may attain to glory everlasting.

Amen.

I said a prayer for you today,

And now God must have heard.

I felt the answer in my heart,

Although he spoke no word.

I didn't ask for wealth or fame.

I knew you wouldn't mind.

I asked him to send treasures of a far more lasting kind.

I asked that he be near you at the start of each new day,

To grant you health and blessings and friends to share your way.

I asked for happiness for you in all things great and small,

But it was for his loving care I prayed the most of all.

Amen.

We will allow a time of personal prayer and our reflection for the coming moments.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

The blessing of Saint Francis of Assisi.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

May he show his face to you and have mercy.

May he turn his countenance to you and give you peace.

The Lord bless you.

I invite you to pause and ponder what message you are taking away with you from this meditation as we prepare to depart.

My prayer is that you feel a bit lighter as you move forward from this space.

His burden is light.

In lieu of rushing on to the next thing in your life,

Perhaps you choose to be present.

Sit here a moment longer.

Take a breath or two.

May God bless you and fill you with his ever-present peace.

Thank you for being here for this meditation.

Blessings,

Blessings,

Blessings.