Take a moment to listen to the still small voice of God within the bustle of the day which has begun. Find a quiet place where you can enjoy precious moments of peace in God's presence. Sit quietly and listen to the sounds of the world around you, both outside and in the place where you are. Breathe slowly and rest in God's presence......

PRAYER AT RISING
(From Catherine Maclean, crofter, Naast, Gairloch)

Bless to me, O God,
Each thing mine eye sees ;
Bless to me, O God,
Each sound mine ear hears ;
Bless to me, O God,
Each odour that goes to my nostrils
Bless to me, O God,
Each taste that goes to my lips ;
Each note that goes to my song,
Each ray that guides my way,
Each thing that I pursue.
Each lure that tempts my will,
The zeal that seeks my living soul.
The Three that seek my heart,
The zeal that seeks my living soul,
The Three that seek my heart.

(taken from Carmina Gadelica)

Spend a moment or two to reflect on God’s impact on your life. The things you say and do today will have an impact on all those you meet, it's unavoidable! How is that fact going to influence how you approach this day?

Father God, forgive me for those days
when I fail to walk beside you
when I close the door and leave you behind
when I blaze my trail through the day
without thought of you
Forgive me for the words that hurt
the actions that bruise
missed opportunities
broken promises
and worse
Forgive and empower
that I might be the person
you would have me be
in the place that you have prepared for me

Listen if you have a minute to this Taize song - Seigneur, tu gardes mon âme (Lord, you keep my soul) - and as you listen to the words and music just empty your mind of the coming day's fears and concerns

Consider these words and how they apply to your experience of God:

Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.'
(Galations 4:6)

And how this picture from St Patrick talks of our Salvation:

"I was like a stone lying deep in mud, but he that is mighty lifted me up and placed me on top of the wall."
Patrick (c.360-c.461)

Look upon us, O Lord,
and let all the darkness of our souls
vanish before the beams of thy brightness.
Fill us with holy love,
and open to us the treasures of thy wisdom.
All our desire is known unto thee,
therefore perfect what thou hast begun,
and what thy Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer.
We seek thy face,
turn thy face unto us and show us thy glory.
Then shall our longing be satisfied,
and our peace shall be perfect.

(Augustine, 354 - 430)