Take a moment to listen to the still small voice of God within the bustle of the day which has begun. Find a quiet place where you can enjoy precious moments of peace in God's presence. Sit quietly and listen to the sounds of the world around you, both outside and in the place where you are. Breathe slowly and rest in God's presence......

THANKSGIVING

Thanks to Thee, O God, that I have risen to-day.
To the rising of this life itself
May it be to Thine own glory, O God of every gift.
And to the glory of my soul likewise.
O great God, aid Thou my soul
With the aiding of Thine own mercy ;
Even as I clothe my body with wool.
Cover Thou my soul with the shadow of Thy wing.
Help me to avoid every sin.
And the source of every sin to forsake ;
And as the mist scatters on the crest of the hills.
May each ill haze clear from my soul, O God.

(taken from Carmina Gadelica)

Spend a moment or two to reflect on God’s impact on your life. Think about the relationships you have with those among whom you share Christian fellowship. Are there barriers to open-ness, areas of your faith and life that are no-go in conversations? Why is that - and what could you do to remedy the situation?

Forgive me, Lord for those times
when I have not spoken
when I have not held out my hand
when I have not shared
time, space, my life and faith
Forgive me, Lord for those times
when I have not been
a source of friendship
joy, encouragement and grace
when I have not allowed
your love to flow
and a child of yours find peace

Listen if you have a minute to this Taize song - Mon âme se repose - and as you listen to the words and music just empty your mind of the coming day's fears and concerns

Read these words of encouragement and challenge from the Psalmist:

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
(Psalm 34: 8-10)

And these words of an early Christian monk:

"God can be sensed when we gaze with trembling hearts at that power of his which controls, guides, and rules everything, when we contemplate his immense knowledge and his knowing look which the secrets of the heart cannot evade."
John Cassian (360-435) Monk, writer, traveller

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
all that I have and possess.
Thou hast given it all to me.
To thee, O 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.

Ignacius of Loyola ?1522-3