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From “Common Prayer: A Liturgy For Ordinary Radicals” (Jan. 11th, p. 101-102)

  Brother Lawrence (1611-1691)

Born Nicholas Herman in Lorraine, France, Brother Lawrence received little formal education and, as a young man, served briefly in the army.  One day, he had an experience that set the course of his life in a new direction.  Gazing at a barren tree in winter, Lawrence saw for the first time the majesty of God’s grace and the constancy of God’s providence.  He imagined himself like the tree, waiting for the life that God would inevitably bring in season.  Shortly after this experience, he became a lay brother in the Carmelite monastery in Paris.  There he worked in the kitchen and, in the repetition of his daily chores, found a way to integrate spirituality and work, which he called the “practice of the presence of God.”  By learning to perform his daily, mundane tasks for the sake of God, Brother Lawrence turned every moment into an opportunity for prayer.  

O Lord, let my soul rise up to meet you as the day rises to meet the sun.  

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.  

Come let us sing to the Lord: let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.

May I sense you every moment: and make my whole life a prayer.  

Psalm 61:4-8

I will dwell in your house for ever:  I will take refuge under the cover of your wings.

For you, O God, have heard my vows: you have granted me the heritage of those who fear your name.

Add length of days to the king’s life: let his years extend over many generations.

Let him sit enthroned before God for ever: bid love and faithfulness watch over him.

So will I always sing the praise of your name: and day by day I will fulfill my vows.  

May I sense you every moment: and make my whole life a prayer.  

Genesis 4:17-26                     Galatians 3:15-22  

May I sense you every moment: and make my whole life a prayer.  

Brother Lawrence wrote, “Men invent means and methods of coming at God’s love, they learn rules and set up devices to remind them of that love, and it seems like a world of trouble to bring oneself into the consciousness of God’s presence.  Yet it might be so simple.  Is it not quicker and easier just to do our common business wholly for the love of him?”  

Prayers for Others  

Lord’s Prayer

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, for thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.  

Though you are worthy of trumpets and the song of angels, you graciously receive our daily prayers of whispered words and mundane habits.  Enable us, Lord, to love you with all that we are and in all that we do.  Teach us how we might truly pray without ceasing.  Amen.  

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you,  wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness,  protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing,  at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing,  once again into our doors.  Amen