What might Celtic prayers look like today?

I love Celtic prayers because they are so earthed in reality. The Celts had prayers for ordinary everyday tasks like milking the cow or lighting the fire etc. The prayer, Smooring the Fire is a particular favourite of mine and so I was keen to include it in Celtic Treasure.

Smooring the Fire

The Sacred Three

To save,

To surround

The hearth,

The household,

This eve,

This night,

Oh! this eve,

This night,

And every night,

Each single night.

Amen.

(Carmina Gadelica)

I wonder what the equivalent prayers might be today? Maybe, the prayer of having a shower, putting the central heating on, driving my car, going to work, doing emails. It sounds funny to us today, but there is a lot to be said for developing such an attitude of thankfulness.

Delighted folk like Celtic Treasure in the States too.

Treasured Jewelby Gigifal

Reader Rating:
See Detailed Ratings

August 31, 2009: Celtic Spirituality is a treasured jewel for those seeking to deepen their spiritual journey following the pathways of ancient traditions and wisdom gleaned by the Celts. UK author, Liz Babbs, inspires her readers with new insights into the value of such disciplines as hospitality, prayer and solitude, creativity and celebration of life that sustained pilgrims throughout the ages. This book shares the same sensitivity found in her other books, spoken as encouragement from a dear friend. The illustrations bring the words to life and will carry you directly to the Emerald Isle. Whether you are looking for a loving gift to give a friend or a beautiful book for your bedside, Celtic Treasure is your answer.

A Real Treasureby PacJac

Reader Rating:
See Detailed Ratings

August 31, 2009: Informative and inspiring, Liz Babbs, Celtic Treasure, gives the reader a peek into the ancient Celtic lifestyle and unearths spiritual treasures that will refreshen and inspire the reader to greater heights.

A great book for the bedside or as a devotion to jumpstart the day. I recommend this book to those with a thirsty soul, those who have grown weary, or those looking for treasure.

Celtic Treasure launches in America today

I thought with the launch of Celtic Treasure in America today, I'd share something of my journey in writing this book.

My interest in Celtic Christianity came as a result of visiting Lindisfarne (Holy Island) and Iona ( a Scottish island) eight years ago. I was so affected by the overwhelming presence of God in these sacred places that it resulted in me changing the content and title of the gift book I was working on from 'Reflections', to 'The Celtic Heart' (Lion Hudson 2003)! This book has since sold thousands of copies and become my best-selling book, even being published in German by Random House.

Now to level with you about Celtic Treasure. To be honest, I was not looking to write another Celtic book, but God had other ideas. He stopped me in my tracks and gave me a 'picture' of an ancient monastic archway, like the one in this photo of Lindisfarne Priory (founded by St Aidan AD 635). Through this archway, all kinds of folk, who weren't Christians, were coming to God. Some were even dancing and celebrating his presence. And so Celtic Treasure (Lion Hudson 2009) was born. I had an amazing time writing it and it really strengthened my faith.

Those Celtic Saints rock, and without their radical ministry, Britain would not have been a Christian country. No wonder so many folk look to Celtic Christianity for inspiration today.
Celtic Treasure is released across the US today into all kinds of book shops, and I am very excited to see what God will do. Writing is such an adventure with God in control.

First prayer ever written by a woman!

This is perhaps one of the first prayers written by and for women. It is taken from an Anglo-Saxon source and found in the Nunnaminster Manuscript and written around AD 900 by a nun in a Winchester convent. I found it in my local convent. What an amazing monastic treasure!

On the Ears

O God, my Lord,

who,

in the moment of death,

was deaf to my wretchedness

but with ears open to the inward will

of your Father’s way.

I give you thanks,

and in so doing,

I ask forgiveness for these ears

whose hearing has been polluted

by the evil things that they have heard.

I pray

that never might I have to hear

in the day that will come,

the judge’s sentence

equal to the faults that I have heaped up,

from the fire of your love,

Lord Jesus Christ,

Amen.

(An Anglo-Saxon Passion – David Scott SPCK 1999)

Ancient Celtic Hospitality Rune

I love this ancient Celtic rune, which I mentioned in Celtic Treasure. I've seen it quoted in many retreat houses across the country. It's a wonderfully warm welcoming poem and a timely reminder to be thankful for all God has given us:

We saw a stranger yesterday

We put food in the eating place,

Drink in the drinking place,

Music in the listening place,

And with the sacred name of the triune God

He blessed us and our house,

our cattle and our dear ones.

As the lark says in our song:

Often, often, often goes the Christ

In the stranger's guise.

(Taken from p.70 Celtic Treasure)

Celtic Hospitality

I love it when readers write to me and tell me about their favourite poems or sections from my books. When I write them, I'm never sure which parts will 'speak' to people. Patty Facebooked me to tell me how much she was enjoying the section on hospitality. The Celtic concept of hospitality is a very biblical one - to be God's loving welcome to the stranger. Tomorrow, I'll share with you one of my favourite Celtic hospitality runes which picks up on this theme.

Patty also mentioned that she loved my poem. So I thought I'd share that poem with you. It's based on a shape poem. I love writing shape poems because I'm such a visual writer. Shape poems have an immediacy and simplicity too. I'd love you to send me any shape poems you've written.

Love of God

Help me to be kind

To see the needs of the poor.

Spirit of God

Help me

To be

l

e

s

s

So that I might see

You more.

Liz Babbs

Beautiful prayer posted by Andy Phillips

Hi folks, am back from Scotland now, but have had a nasty sickness bug that I'm still recovering from. Will post up some photos, soon, from what was an amazing dance conference. But in the meantime, here is a wonderful prayer posted by Andy Phillips on this blog:

As the setting sun reddens the western sky, we bless you;
As the moon rises in the east to greet the coming night, we worship you;
As another day draws to an end and the evening stars appear, we praise you.
This night the seas will rise and sweep clean sands whose beauty has been marred by restless footsteps;
Restore your image in us, Lord, as we sleep, which we have wounded by our foolishness and greed;
Bless and protect us, Lord, and those we love;
Grant us a quiet night and a perfect end, so may we greet you, come the dawn, with hearts and minds made new.
Amen.