Being There...

Let no thought come to my heart,

Let no ruffle come to my spirit,

  that is hurtful to my poor body this night,

  nor ill for my soul at the hour of my death-

but may You Yourself, O God of life,

be at my breast, be at my back,

You to me as a star, You to me a guide,

from my life's beginning to my life's closing.

• A Celtic prayer (partial)

Celtic Poem--or Prayer?

A Celtic Poem
God's will would I do,
My own will bridle;

God's due would I give,
My own due yield;

God's path would I travel,
My own path refuse;

Christ's death would I ponder,
My own death remember;

Christ's agony would I meditate,
My love to God make warmer;

Christ's cross would I carry,
My own cross forget;

Repentance of sin would I make,
Early repentance choose;

A bridle to my tongue I would put,
A bridle on my thoughts I would keep

God's judgment would I judge,
My own judgment guard;

Christ's redemption would I seize,
My own ransom work;

The love of Christ would I feel,
My own love know.

• Unknown