Celtic Christianity, Circling Prayer, St Patrick’s Prayer, Death Valley

I haven’t managed to do my Tai Chi every morning but I have managed to do my circling prayer. Someone asked me about my circling prayer so here’s some more information on it.

To the early Irish and Scottish Christians a circle was considered a sacred place, a physical representation of the universe. Celtic Christians believed that time was circular, that God was the  Creator and that He dwelt in the center of the universe and time. This belief manifested itself in the Caim Prayer.

This is the Caim Prayer I use:

Circle me O God
Keep hope within
Despair without.

Circle me O God
Keep peace within
Keep turmoil out.

Circle me O God
Keep calm within
Keep storms without.

Circle me O God
Keep strength within
Keep weakness out.

(David Adam: The Cry of the Deer)

I add a few verses of my own.

To pray an encircling Caim Prayer, extend the index finger of your right hand, and turn clockwise drawing a circle around yourself in the air. Imagine yourself  and those you are praying for surrounded by the safety of the God’s care and protection.

To make your own Caim Prayer simply insert the name of the person you are praying for and change the wording to suit the circumstances.

Circle (name), Lord. Keep (name the good you want revealed) near and (name the evil you want removed) afar.

Circle (name), Lord. Keep comfort near and discouragement afar. Keep peace within and turmoil out.

Circle (name), Lord. Keep hope within and despair without.

This helps you tune into the encircling presence of God.

I should include a line:

“Keep oil within and no oil out.”

This was Saint Patrick’s Prayer:

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

Now onto Death Valley and Henderson Nevada!