Are you, by any chance, on the lookout for a book which would help you to observe one of the three traditional practices or pillars of Advent: prayer, fasting and almsgiving?
May I suggest a little, fifty-some page book following the ancient format of morning and evening prayer. I found this deceivingly simple prayer book drawing my heart to quiet prayer and a deepening relationship with the Sacred One. Praying with the Earth, A Prayerbook for Peace by John Philip Newell.
Each of the two daily offerings begins with a beatitude and a prayer of awareness followed by the call, “Be still and aware.” The author then offers three quotes from the inherited scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments and the Quran, putting us in touch with the wisdom of Jews, Christians and Muslims. Each quote is followed by an invitation to pause and savour the sacred text. Next, we are given words to pray for the world and to offer silent prayers for peace. Our time of prayer, concludes with a blessing to grace us on our way.
John Philip Newell offers us a simple, contemplative way during Advent to pause, pray, and linger in stillness as we prepare our hearts to welcome the Prince of Peace anew.
-Sister Nancy Wales, CSJ
Header Image: Anthony DELANOIX @anthonydelanoix/ Unsplash