The Prayer of St. Columba

Be a bright flame before me, O God

a guiding star above me.

Be a smooth path below me,

a kindly shepherd behind me

today, tonight, and for ever.

Alone with none but you, my God

I journey on my way;

what need I fear when you are near,

O Lord of night and day?

More secure am I within your hand

than if a multitude did round me stand.

Amen.

My photo of the beach at Iona....

Old Celtic poem

The path I walk, Christ walks it. 

May the land in which I am be without sorrow.

May the Trinity protect me wherever I stay, 

Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Bright angels walk with me – dear presence – in every 

dealing.

In every dealing I pray them that no one’s poison may reach 

me.

The ninefold people of heaven of holy cloud, 

the tenth force of the stone earth.

Favourable company, they come with me, 

so that the Lord may not be angry with me.

May I arrive at every place, may I return home; 

may the way in which I spend be a way without loss.

May every path before me be smooth, 

man, woman and child welcome me.

A truly good journey! 

Well does the faith Lord show us a course, a path.

- An old Celtic poem attributed to St. Columba

   Image courtesy of chanpipat / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

St. Columba's prayer for light and love

O Lord, grant us that love which can never die, which will enkindle our lamps but not extinguish them, so that they may shine in us and bring light to others. Most dear Saviour, enkindle our lamps that they may shine forever in your temple. May we receive unquenchable light from you so that our darkness will be illuminated and the darkness of the world will be made less. Amen.

--Saint Columba

Picture - a celtic cross on Iona - a photo I took on a visit there...

St Columba's prayer

The path I walk, Christ walks it.
May the Land in which I am in be without sorrow.
May the Trinity protect me wherever I stay;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Bright angels walk with me.
Dear presence – in every dealing…
May every path before me be smooth;
May man, woman and child welcome me.
- St. Columba

  Image courtesy of Arvind Balaraman/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net