When you want to help and don't know how...

Good Day to Pray

“…O let us embrace

that unexpected moment of unity

as the atom of God…

Let us have the courage

to hold each other when we break

and worship what unfolds…

O nameless spirit that is not done with us,

let us love without a net

beyond the fear of death

until the speck of peace

we guard so well

becomes the world…”

Mark Nepo (“Earth Prayer,” last two verses)

          As the death toll from coronavirus tops 4,000 in the US, let us pray. When there is little we can do other than stay at home and wait for this to pass and we feel useless, remember the energetic power of prayer. It can be with or without words; just sending out the energy of an open heart is enough. Remember that we can also hold one another virtually. In your mind, picture yourself giving another person a big bear hug, and they will receive that hug energetically.

          There are books of prayers, of course. Almost any of Mark Nepo’s poems sound and feel like a prayer. John O’Donohue is another whose prayers and blessings can open and widen your heart. Here is a piece of one of his Morning Prayers:

“May I live this day

Compassionate of heart,

Clear in word,

Gracious in awareness,

Courageous in thought,

Generous in love…”

          And, of course, there is the famous prayer of Meister Eckhart, “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is ‘thank you,’ it will be enough.” If you woke up healthy today, just say thank you. It will be enough.

                                                  In the Spirit,

                                                  Jane