This prayer is an adaptation of the Christian Liturgy of the Hours, or Daily Office, incorporating Druid and Christian elements, that can be used any time of the day.

Approach

Preparation

Find a quiet place where you can be alone without distraction.

Light candles or a small fire, if you like.

Take a few moments to center yourself. Here are a couple of ideas, if you’re at a loss for something.

• Take some deep breaths – in and out. Focus on your breathing.
• Chant the word, Awen, AH-OO-WEN, drawing out each syllable.
• This prayer, the Druid Call for Peace

Deep within the still center of my being,
May I find peace.
Silently within the quiet of the grove,
May I share peace.
Gently (or powerfully), within the greater circle of humankind,
May I radiate peace.

When you’re ready to begin, make the sign of the cross and say:

In the name of God, Three-in-One, One-in-Three,
One holy and blessed Trinity, now and for ever.
AMEN.

Greeting the Four Directions

For the following, if you like, stand and face each direction, or walk to that position. Pause after each line to visualize peace spreading to that direction.

May there be Peace in the North.
May there be Peace in the South.
May there be Peace in the West.
May there be Peace in the East.
Facing east,
Through the strength of heaven,
Light of the sun,
Splendor of Fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of rock -
May there be Peace in the Land, in the Sea, and in the Sky.
May there be Peace throughout the world.

The Druid Prayer

Grant, O God, Thy Protection;
And in Protection, Strength;
And in Strength, Understanding;
And in Understanding, Knowledge;
And in Knowledge, the Knowledge of Justice;
And in the Knowledge of Justice, the Love of it;
And in that Love, the Love of All Existences;
And in the Love of All Existences, the Love of God, Eternal Spirit, Maker of all that is;
Jesu, the Christ, Bearer of our humanity;
The Holy Spirit, Fount of Wisdom, Awen, and Breath of Life;
Mary, Most Holy Theotokos and Our Mother;
All the angels and saints;
All Creation that nourishes and sustains us;
And All that is Good.

Adapted from The Druid Prayer, attributed to Iolo Morganwg

Chant some AWENS.

Depending on the time of day, face East, and say or chant one of the following.

O Dawning Sun (Morning)

O Dawning Sun, O Sign of Christ, O Sacred Seal
of All! We hail you as you arise from the
darkness of oblivion.

O Divine Word! O Christ! O Creator of the
Vastness of the Universe! We hail you Sun, as
you end the night, and come to create the Day.

We reunite ourselves with you in this moment, as
you travel through all the circles of the universe,
manifesting one Wisdom, one Beauty and one
Strength.

— Morning Prayer, The Order of St. Cyprian of Antioch

Light of the World (Evening/Sunset)

Light of the world, in grace and beauty,
Mirror of God’s eternal face,
Transparent flame of love’s free duty,
You bring salvation to our race.
Now, as we see the lights of evening,
We raise our voice in hymns of praise;
Worthy are you of endless blessing,
Sun of our night, lamp of our days

— Evening Prayer, Enriching Our Worship 1, The Episcopal Church

Song

Sing or play a recording of a chant, hymn, or other song. Here are my Spotify playlists for Morning and Evening:

Readings, Reflection, and Prayer

Psalms and Biblical Readings

Psalms and Readings from Scripture follow a cycle. You can find the Daily Office Lectionary of The Episcopal Church here.

The Mission of St. Clare site has the complete texts of the Episcopal Daily Office.

For the Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Hours, go to the Universalis site.

You can find an Orthodox version of the Daily Office at the St. Gregory the Great Orthodox Church site.

Canticles

A canticle is a biblical song outside of the Psalms. While the Book of Common Prayer lists suggested canticles for different days and seasons, the Song of Simeon can be used for Morning Prayer and the Song of Mary for Evening Prayer.

If used in a group setting the asterisk* indicates a change of reader or group of readers.

Morning Canticle – The Song of Simeon (Benedictus Dominus)

Blessèd are you, the God of Israel,*
You have come your people and set them free.

You have raised up for us a mighty Savior,*
Born of the house of your servant, David.

Through your holy prophets you promised of old*
To save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us.

To show mercy to our ancestors,*
And to remember your holy covenant.

This was the oath you swore to our ancestors, Abraham and Sarah,*
To set us free from the hands of our enemies.

Free to worship you without fear,*
Holy and righteous before you, all the days of our life.

And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,*
For you will go before God to prepare the way.

To give God’s people knowledge of salvation*
By the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God*
The dawn from on high shall break upon us,

To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,*
And to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1: 68-79, from A Way of Living: A Worship, Prayer and Liturgy Resource for the Lindisfarne Community, Jane Hall-Fitzgibbon and Andrew Fitz-Gibbon, Copyright © 2006 Jane Hall-Fitzgibbon and Andrew Fitzgibbon, The Lindisfarne Community.

Evening Canticle – The Song of Mary (Magnificat)

My soul proclaims the greatness of God,*
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

For you, O God, have looked with favor on your lowly servant.*
From this day all generations will call me blessed:

You, the all loving, have done great things for me*
and holy is your name.

You have mercy on those who revere you,*
from generation to generation.

You have shown strength with your arm*
and scattered the proud in their conceit.

Casting down the mighty from their thrones*
and lifting up the lowly.

You have filled the hungry with good things*
and sent the rich way empty.

You have come to the aid of your servant, Israel,*
to remember the promise of mercy,

The promise made to our ancestors,*
to Abraham, Sarah, and their children for ever.

Luke 1: 46-55, from A Way of Living: A Worship, Prayer and Liturgy Resource for the Lindisfarne Community, Jane Hall-Fitzgibbon and Andrew Fitz-Gibbon, Copyright © 2006 Jane Hall-Fitzgibbon and Andrew Fitzgibbon, The Lindisfarne Community.

The canticle concludes with:

In the name of God, Three-in-One, One-in-Three,
One holy and blessed Trinity, now and for ever.
AMEN.

Intercessions

Help us, O God our Savior; 
Deliver us and forgive us our sins. 

Look upon your congregation; 
Give to your people the blessing of peace. 

Declare your glory among the nations; 
And your wonders among all peoples.

Do not let the oppressed be shamed and turned away; 
Never forget the lives of your poor. 

Continue your loving-kindness to those who know you;
And your favor to those who are true of heart. 

Satisfy us by your loving-kindness in the morning; 
So shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.

Offer prayers for the following:
The members of this group/grove/coven/congregation...
Those who suffer and those in trouble...
The concerns of this local community...
The world, its people, and its leaders...
The universal Church -its leaders, its members, and its mission...
Those who have died…

The Prayer of Jesus

Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,
now and for ever.
Amen.

— The Lord’s Prayer, The New Zealand Book of Prayer | He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa

Leave-Taking

The Oath of Peace

We swear by peace and love to stand
Heart to heart, and hand in hand.
Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now.
Confirming this, our sacred vow.

Final Blessing

Christ, as a light
illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield
overshadow me.
Christ under me;
Christ over me;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light;
Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.

— Adapted from St. Patrick’s Breastplate, Northumbria Community

Extinguish any candles or fire. Take a moment to ground.

Make the Sign of the Cross, then leave the space.