Daily Primer — June 23, North Sea

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.  I do not see the road ahead of me.  I cannot know for certain where it will end.  Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.  And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.  I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.  Therefore I will trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.  I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

Florilegium is the Medieval Latin word for bouquet, or more literally flowers (flos, flor-) which are gathered (legere). The word florilegium was used to refer to a compilation of writings, often religious or philosophical. These florilegium are literary flowers—beautiful words/prayers/thoughts I have gathered.  During my sabbatical they will give me something to ponder each day. — PHL.

O LORD, in the morning you hear our prayers; in the morning we plead our case to you and watch for your reply.  This is the season of watchful waiting, and we arise to praise you for the gift of a new day in which we can live for your love.  As the sun rises bringing new light into the world, so we rise to offer ourselves as witnesses to your work and servants of your kingdom.  May we be a living sacrifice, not conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Lord, save us!  Save us from the sin of sloth — from lacking enough care for others that we remain cocooned in the self-isolating habits of acedia.  Help us to eschew the indifference which stifles our love of others and subdues the impulse to follow you in the way of compassion.  May we learn from our ancestors about whom you said, “they rest complacently on their dregs, they say in their hearts, ‘The LORD will not do good, nor will he do harm.’”  Their indifference to your intentions of justice, righteousness, and neighborliness led to great harm.  So inspire in us the virtue of fortitude.  Make us diligent in pursuing the ethics of your kingdom.  When life becomes difficult strengthen us by fortitude to endure troubles well — with resilience, with patience, and trusting in the work you are able to accomplish in every circumstance.
The prophet reminds us that in the pilgrimage of faith we approach you asking “With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high?”  As the day begins and we consider our discipleship we offer to you our answer to this question.  May our discipleship match your fierce will to create a workable creation:

† where human relations are marked by justice, love, and peace

† where creation is recognized as the gift it is and is treated with respect and stewardly care

† where neighborliness outstrips every impulse toward a self-centered and selfish life.

In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

You, Lord, are the living Word — the Word which shines in the darkness.  In this hour of darkness at the close of the day, shine among us, Lord, with the brilliance of your love.  As the day draws to a close and we prepare to enter into rest, may we entrust with confidence every concern and trouble to your faithful care.  Our examination of the day gives us both consolations and desolations to consider as we anticipate the day to come.  Help us, Lord, to conclude our Examen by relaxing into the prayer of resting in your grace.  As we relinquish consciousness into the healing work of sleep, we ask that you preserve us from all evil and from every terror of the night.  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.