Praying in the Landscape

I thought I would share this reflective liturgy as an idea or inspiration for others. You could adapt the prayers to suit a group if needed.

There are some lovely churchyards, gardens and natural spaces that invite the opportunity to appreciate the natural world, to pray and to rest. This was a day of reflection written for the surroundings of an ancient church near where I live. I'll describe each station as we go.

In this case, people came into the church space during the day. They were given a map of the stations, which they could visit at their own pace. There were places where people could sit and reflect. Each station had  prayer cards with the prayer poem and an image for the visitor to sit with and take away. The visitors were invited to start and end their journey with the prayer to the Sacred Three and to light candles in the church before they left, some people brought leaves or feathers as well. You could create a temporary shrine within the surroundings for this.

Prayer to the Sacred Three 

Sacred Three, whose love spirals the Universe

I ask you to guide my footsteps 

To open my eyes, to reveal your presence

in the world that is your gift to me.

May the blessing of the Father be in 

the depth of earth, the stability of rock, 

the turning of the seasons

to hold and protect me.

May the blessing of the Christ be in

the life that springs forth from the earth

creatures, trees and plant life

companions in my journey

May the blessing of the Spirit be in 

the eddying waters, the zephyrs of air

the breath of God's love 

to ward me and guide me.

Amen

Station - The Briar Path 

A overgrown part of the churchyard where the path needs to be negotiated with care

No-one said it would be easy 
But sometimes I wish
It would not be so hard.

Life sends me on many paths
The Way is not always clear
Light shines, but casts
Long shadows.
Darkness catches me 
Unawares. 
Thoughts and words
Like briar thorns 
Bite into my heart.
Am I lost?

Spirit 
Be in my mind's eye
My heart's guide
My soul's friend
Lead me home. 


Station - Water

In a quiet corner a clay bowl of clear water, a jug filled to the brim and a scattering of smooth palm size stones.

Water of Life
Liquid light contained
In earth's cool hands.

Stars sparkling in mirrored sky
Reflection of what is 
What is not.

Love is deep
Life water, life-giving
Slipping through fingers

Feeding dry places 
Finding the way
Within




Station - Forked Path 

A place where the path offers a choice 

With hindsight,
I would know
Which is right

This is the way
Or, not...
Who can tell?

Only this moment
Foot poised 
to step into mystery








Station - Boundary

A wall, hedge or fence - a place that defines an edge

There is no reason 
for being on the edge
Except that there seems
Nowhere else to go 
Or
the 'somewhere else'
Seems too far.





Station - Groves

A group or circle of trees 

To be entwined
In earth and rock 
Deep in the One who gives me life

To stand tall 
encircled by life and time
With the One who gives me life

To reach up 

in joy and spirit

To the One who gives me life

Station - The Hearth

This could be a place of gathering, a fire pit, or altar

This place

A leaving

With love and courage

A returning

Longing and thanksgiving.

A place of 

Hospitality

Where love's fire

Burns through the brightest
and darkest of days

Feed my spirit

Guide the wanderer

Bring me home 

The prodigal

And the pilgrim

to the heart of God


You are welcome to use the ideas and prayers though I would ask that they are acknowledged as  mairie gelling 2014 http://stbrigidsmantle.blogspot.co.uk