Prayer:           

Some Celtic Springtime Prayers, from the Community of Aidan and Hilda, Holy Island, Lindisfarne:

Let us pray

Days are growing longer and light-filled—make us light-filled too.

God of the bursting blooms—bring our humanity to flower in You.

Winds blow away cobwebs—blow away the cobwebs of our spirits.

Lambs begin to frolic—may we learn to play as well as work.

Life pulses with green—restore vigour to our lives.

The call of the birds is wild and free—restore lightness to our lives.

Sounds are strong and joyful—may we be joyful too.

Fragrance fills the air—make our lives fragrant with Your grace.

And from the saints of the old times of the church, to a saint of the modern church in Aotearoa New Zealand—a verse from a hymn by Shirley Erena Murray

Come and find a quiet centre
In the crowded life we lead.
Find the room for hope to enter
Find the frame where we are freed;
Clear the chaos and the clutter,
Clear our eyes that we can see
All the things that really matter,
Be at peace to simply be.

Amen