Caim prayers are a part of Celtic spiritual tradition, also called a circling prayer or an encompassing prayer, they are asking for God to surround the object of the prayers with protectiion. This is the kind of prayer I imagine when I hear Evangelicals to surround someone with a hedge of protection. Possibly a holdover from pre-Christian times, the prayer is often a series of four petitions said while the petitioner turns and inscribes a circle around the person for whom they are praying, whether it be themselves or someone/something else. It usually takes the form of asking for and attribute to be brought in in while and apposing attribute is kept out, for example, bring in healing and keep out sickness.
This is a series of encircling prayers I composed in response to current events: the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and the Trump administration’s turning the United States into a fascist dictatorship with its accompanying wave of bigotry and hate for … well, pretty much anyone who isn’t a wealthy straight white male. One of the most challenging parts was writing the prayer for the oppressors. The call of Jesus to love our enemies and to pray for our persecutors doesn’t sit easy, especially when we can look at another section of Scripture that curses them; I’m looking at you, Psalm 109. That is a struggle for another post, though.
I commend these prayers to you with the hope that you might find them useful, either to pray them as I’ve set them here or to spur your own prayer and reflection on what is going on around right now.
For the people of Gaza and Ukraine and all who live under the heavy yoke of war
O good and loving God, surround the people of Gaza and Ukraine and all who live under the threat of war, keep them from harm , and circle them about with your presence.
Bring light within and banish darkness,
Bring courage within and banish fear,
Bring love within and banish hatred,
Bring hope within and banish despair.
In the name of the Sacred Three, + Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit.
For victims of injustice, oppression, and violence
Liberating God who proclaims freedom to the oppressed and good news to the poor, surround those who suffer because of the callousness and malice of others and encircle them with your presence.
Bring truth and goodwill within and keep falsehood and prejudice without,
Bring zeal for righteousness and justice within and keep desire for vengeance without,
Bring hope and healing within and keep feelings of inadequacy and helplessness without.
Bring strength and vigor within and keep weariness without.
Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream, O God of justice. Through Jesu, the Christ, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, + one holy and blessed Trinity, now and ever and to Ages of Ages. Amen.
For those who commit acts of injustice, oppression, and violence against others and for those who, by their actions or through their silence, support them and enable them.
God who calls us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us, surround those who commit acts of oppression, violence, and injustice and those who, by their actions or silence, support and enable them with your loving presence.
Fill their minds with the light of truth and cast falsehood to the winds.
Transform their spirits with the fire of love, and let hatred and bigotry be consumed by the flames.
Flood their hearts with love and compassion and carry away hard-heartedness and greed,
Ground them in courage to embrace the other and bury their fear and loathing.
O Spirit of God, who like a refiner’s fire, ever strengthens and renews us, transform our hearts so that we might love others as you love us. In the name of the Sacred Three. Amen.
For those who work to end injustice, oppression, and violence
Gracious God who delights in steadfast love, justice, and righteousness, surround those who work to end injustice, oppression, and violence with your presence.
Keep the light of wisdom and truth within and keep the darkness of falsehood and easy platitudes without,
Keep the transforming fire of commitment and righteous anger within and keep the destructive flames of rage and desire to reap vengeance without.
Keep love and compassion within and keep self-righteousness and callousness without.
Keep strength and vitality within and keep weariness and feelings of powerlessness without.
Loving God, who lifts up the lowly and casts down the mighty, who feeds the hungry and sends the rich away empty, strengthen us to speak truth to power and to never tire of advocating for the oppressed and the poor. We ask all this in the name of the Sacred Three, Abba God, Christ God, and Spirit God, to whom all glory and praise be given, now and ever and to Ages of Ages. Amen.
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