Morning Prayer
St Columba
2018
MP for St Columba’s Day is led by Gerry Fitzpatrick, with reader Pat Graham SND,
with music by the St Mungo Singers with solo Helen Healy, cantor Grace Buckley
My dearest Lord, be thou a bright flame before me,
be thou a guiding star above me,
be thou a smooth path beneath me,
be thou a kindly shepherd behind me,
today and ever more, today and ever more.
The last words: A Reading from Adamnan’s Life of Columba
These, my children, are my last words to you:
That you have heartfelt love among yourselves.
If you thus follow the example of the holy fathers,
God, the comforter of the good, will be your helper.
And I, abiding with him, will intercede for you,
and he will not only give you sufficient
to supply the needs of this present life,
but will also give you the good and eternal rewards
which are laid up for those who keep his commandments.
O God, come to our aid: O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father, glory to the Son,
glory to the Holy Spirit now and for ever. Amen.
Ps 62: O God, you are my God, for you I long.
O God, you are my God, for you I long, for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you, my God, like a dry weary land without water.
O God, you are my God, for you I long.
I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and glory,
for your love is better than life itself; my lips will speak your praise.
O God, you are my God, for you I long.
On you I muse throughout the night, on my bed I remember you,
for you have been my refuge and your right hand holds me fast.
O God, you are my God, for you I long.
Short reading Romans 12:1-2
Think of God’s mercy, my brothers, and worship him, I beg you, in a way that is worthy of thinking beings, by offering your living bodies as a holy sacrifice, truly pleasing to God. Do not model yourselves on the behaviour of the world around you, but let your behaviour change, modelled by your new mind. This is the only way to discover the will of God and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is the perfect thing to do.
Benedictus (verse 1)
Blest be the Lord the God of Israel, who came to us; and brought us back from sin.
God raised for us a Saviour who is mighty; his Saviour-Son from David’s house and line.
God promised this through holy men and women who spoke for him down through the mists of time
The Intercessions (with sung response at the end of each one)
Christ the Lord is the light of the world, the sun which never sets.
Let us praise him, singing:
From the rising of the sun to its setting great is the name of the Lord.
Creator of the stars, we offer you in gratitude the first-fruits of this day,
and we remember your resurrection.
From the rising of the sun to its setting great is the name of the Lord.
May your Spirit guide us today to do what is pleasing to you:
may your Wisdom lead us always.
From the rising of the sun to its setting great is the name of the Lord.
Enable us to look forward to that day
when all your children will be gathered
around the table of your word and the Eucharist.
From the rising of the sun to its setting great is the name of the Lord.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Let us pray
Lord, warm our hearts with zeal for your kingdom
and a longing for its fulfilment.
Make our lives rich in good works,
and so bring us to share the glory of Saint Columba,
when we see you face to face and are one with you always.
We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen.
May the Lord bless us and keep us from all harm;
and may he lead us to eternal life.
