The Mary Christopher Podcast

Celtic Daily Prayers for the Week of August 16, 2026Celtic people lived very basic lives, mostly in isolated areas of Great Britain and along the coast of Gaul, now known as France. The invasion of the Roman Empire pushed many of them into remote areas where their early Christian traditions survived. There are no official written records of these very early Celtic Christians. Their prayers and stories were handed down through their strong oral tradition.I have been told that Joseph of Arimathea never came to the British Isles. They insist that the whole story is a fable, because there are no written records. However, we cannot disregard the authenticity, as well as the durability of their oral tradition.Celtic prayers and verses have a definite quality that reflects a more compassionate, compelling, and generous faith. The prayers we have inherited include all of Creation, as well as the beauty and struggle of their lives. They didn’t need a specific time or place for prayer. They simply “prayed their way through their day”. Celtic people, their prayers and their art, are a wonderful example of their trust in a loving Creator, the wonder of Creation, and the poetry of their lives. We are blessed to have so much of their spiritual heritage.~ Celtic Morning Prayer ~Christ above me, Christ below me,Christ before me, Christ behind me,Christ within me.Christ be on my right, Christ be on my left,Christ when I sit down, Christ when I lie down,Christ when I arise.Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me.Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me.Christ in every eye that sees me.Christ in every ear that hears me.~ Celtic Evening Prayer ~Come to us this night, O God,Come to us with light.Let the tools be stored away,let the work be over and done.We light a light in the name of the Maker,Who lit the world and breathed the breath of life for us.We light a light in the name of the Son,Who saved the worldand stretched out his hand to us.
 

Celtic people were creative and practical.  We know this because we have inherited their amazing carvings, and crosses as well as their spiritual practices and prayers.  It appears the Celts originated in Central and Western Europe during the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age (approx. 1200 - 450 BCE). Even though the expansion of the Roman Empire absorbed most of the continental Celtic groups, their culture and languages managed to survive and thrive in the British Isles. They were sheltered mainly in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, as well as Brittany in France.
 
The Celtic tradition believes that all Creation is Sacred and an expression of our Creator.  Their art also reflects the symmetry and interwoven patterns we find everywhere in Creation.  They created prayers for almost every event or activity including “waking the household fire in the morning”, blessing a newborn child, and blessing a new garment.  They even had prayers for guiding a Soul on its way to heaven.  Their prayers reflect kindness and a sense of gratitude that is heart-warming and healing.  We are definitely blessed to have inherited so much of their art as well as their daily prayers.
 
~ Celtic Morning Prayer ~
 
May the blessing of the rain be on you,
the soft sweet rain.
May it fall upon your spirit
so that all the little flowers may spring up,
and shed their sweetness on the air.
May the blessing of the great rains be on you,
may they beat upon your spirit
and wash it fair and clean.
And leave there many a shining pool
where the blue of heaven shines,
and sometimes shines a star. 
 
~ Celtic Evening Prayer ~
 
Deep peace of the running wave to you,
Deep peace of the flowing air to you,
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,
Deep peace of the shining stars to you,
Deep peace of the gentle night to you.
Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you, 
All through this night.

Sometimes, when the “world” seems to be tilting closer and closer to insanity, we may wonder if our prayers are doing any good at all.  The answer is “Yes”… they are!  A specific example is that our daily prayers are creating emotional and mental stability within us!  When we focus on our Creator and on Creation and practice a bit of Gratitude, we are building Inner Strength and Fortitude.  We are also becoming more aware of what is possible rather than just seeing “doom and gloom”.  We know this happens because of scientific research that actually started early in the last century.
This is what our Celtic ancestors accomplished as they wove these wonderful prayers into the fabric of their day.  Their lives were not easy.  They did not have the conveniences we do.  If they wanted fresh bread for breakfast, they had to have the flour and ingredients to make it.  Or, they needed something of value to trade for a loaf.  A bad harvest would mean people went hungry!  They also had to deal with invading Anglo-Saxons or those pesky and dangerous Vikings.  Their lives were not easy, but their spiritual practices carried them through difficult times, gifting their prayers to us!
 
~ Celtic Morning Prayer ~
 
You are the peace of all things calmYou are the place to hide from harmYou are the Light that shines in darkYou are the Heart's eternal sparkYou are the door that's open wideYou are the Guest who waits insideYou are the Stranger at the doorYou are the calling of the poorYou are my Lord, and with me stillYou are my Love, keep me from illYou are the Light, the Truth, the WayYou are my Saviour this very day.
 
(celtic oral tradition - 1st millennium)
    ~ Celtic Evening Prayers ~
 
This night and every night
grant to me light.
This night and every night
grant to me peace.
This night and every night
grant to me rest.
This night and every night
grant to me grace.
This night and every night
grant to me joy. 
~~~~~~
May the God of peace
bring peace to this house.
May the Son of peace
bring peace to this house.
May the Spirit of peace
bring peace to this house,
this night, and all nights.

We are so fortunate to have a wealth of Celtic Prayers that have been handed down for centuries.  Some of our daily prayers were not written down for 100s of years.  Because we are so used to written records, it is difficult for us to imagine our ancestors’ capacity to memorize.  They knew songs, stories, lengthy legends, farming wisdom, and detailed facts about herbs and plants by memory.  In early US history, children memorized poetry, songs, and stories.  They might be expected to “recite” at the dinner table, at school, or for special occasions.  We know now that memorizing has definite emotional and neurological benefits!
 
Whenever I find a Celtic prayer I haven’t seen before, I am grateful for my ancestors who memorized and passed on these gems of heartful and lyrical verse!  We are also blessed because the Celtic people considered all of Creation to be sacred!  We could use more of that right now.  Maybe people would pause or at least think twice before dropping bombs, chopping down forests for paper, or polluting water supplies.  As we do our best to live these prayers, remember you are in Good Company,  and you are Being a Blessing in the World.
 
~ Celtic Morning Prayer ~
 
I arise todayThrough a mighty strength:God's power to guide me,God's might to uphold me,God's eyes to watch over me;God's ear to hear me,God's word to give me speech,God's hand to guard me,God's way to lie before me,God's shield to shelter me,God's Host to secure me.
(First millennium - Bridgid of Gael)
~ Celtic Evening Prayer ~
 
God bless the corners of this house 
and all the lintel blessed,
And bless the hearth and bless the board 
and bless each place of rest,
And bless each door that opens as wide 
to strangers as to kin,
And bless each crystal window pane 
that lets the starlight in,
And bless the rooftree overhead 
and every sturdy wall.
The peace of man. 
The peace of God. 
With peace and love for all. 

Have you wondered why we use Morning and Evening Prayers?  We know from their early history that Celtic people wove their prayers into daily activities, beginning with the first light of the Sun.  They were immersed in the beauty and wonder of Creation every day.  They understood their survival and well-being could improve as they aligned themselves with Creation.  They could find peace and strength and delight in Creation.  Their lives were not easy.  For centuries, they had to be resourceful and diligent just to survive.
 
Right now, we are going through a very difficult time.  We live with an undercurrent of uncertainty.  Many of the political and social systems we have relied on in the past are not working.  Some people are preaching and teaching fear and hatred.  We know that fear interferes with making good decisions and that hatred is a downward path to destruction.  The Celtic people understood this as well.  When we begin the morning with an awareness of our Creator and Creation, we are setting the focus and tone of our whole day.  When we end with a prayer of gratitude and blessing, we sleep better!  And, we become a Blessing!
 
~ Morning Prayer ~
 
Christ above me,   Christ below me,
Christ before me,   Christ behind me,
Christ within me.
Christ be on my right,    Christ be on my left,
Christ when I sit down,   Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I arise.
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me.
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me.
Christ in every eye that sees me.
Christ in every ear that hears me.
~ Evening Prayer ~
 
Blessing of the Three
 
The Sacred Three
My Fortress Be
Encircling Me.
Come and be round,
My hearth, my home.
 
Fend thou my kin
And every sleeping thing within
From scathe, from sin.
Thy care, our peace
Through mid of night
To light’s release.

Celtic Daily Prayers for the Week of July 5, 2026
In the Celtic tradition, the Bible is considered the Little Book, and Creation is the Big Book.  We also know that Jesus’ teachings were originally brought to the island of Britain by Joseph of Arimathea.  He arrived by boat and walked inland to the area now known as Glastonbury Abby.  According to the legend, 11 or 12 others came with him, bringing the Gospel to the Celtic people.  The Celts did not read or write.  Their teachings and traditions were passed on through stories, handed down through generations.
 
They paid great attention to Creation because that is how they survived.  Joseph and his friends taught “the Gospel” through stories.  The Celtic people already lived in the great mystery of Creation, so learning about Jesus just made good sense.  Instead of hearing “the Gospel” as Jews, living in Judea, they heard it as a natural part of Creation.  Christianity grew this way until after the literate Romans arrived in 43 AD. 
 
~ Morning Prayer ~
 
Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world
 
Sweet the rains new fall, sunlit from Heaven
Like the first dewfall on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass
 
Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the New Day.
~ Evening Prayer ~
May the peace of the silent stars be yours.  
May the peace of the quiet lanes be yours.  
    May the peace of the deep blue ocean be yours. 
      May the peace of the Son of Peace be always yours. 
                 May the peace of the Spirit be ours this night.
                 May the peace of the Son of Peace be ours this night.  
                  May the peace of the Father be ours this night, 
                   Each morning, each evening, and for evermore.

GOD Bless America, Land that I Love !!!
There Are Very Good Things Happening Right Now !!!
Because of the Inherent Goodness of Millions of People all around the World, we will come through the current Insanity.  And, we will create a Better World !!!

Celtic Daily Prayers for the Week of June 28, 2026This time of year was very busy and very important for the Celtic people.  It was the season of growth, farming and gardening, tending flocks of sheep, counting baby chicks, and hopefully, birthing healthy calves.  People were busy with house repairs, spring cleaning, laundry, fixing fences, and anything else that couldn’t be done during winter.
For the Celtic people and other indigenous people, Spring and Summer were busy times, and also joyous.  They could be outside in the Sunshine and fresh air.  Most of us don’t have those chores, and we haven’t been closed up with a smokey fireplace all winter.  But they knew that Sunshine was an antidepressant, and fresh air was healing and invigorating.  They had the wonder of a starstudded sky at night and Rainbows after the rain.  They knew they were blessed by their Creator, and they were grateful!
We live on the same planet as the Celtic people.  But our lives are very different.  Many of us spend our lives inside, protected from the weather and secure with plenty of food.  We often sit for hours in front of screens and then wonder why we feel out-of-sorts, or dissatisfied with life.  So, this is a great time to be outside, to walk in the woods, sit by a stream, and get far enough away from city lights that we can see the Stars in Heaven, again!
~ Morning Prayer ~
Christ above me,   Christ below me,
Christ before me,   Christ behind me,
Christ within me.
Christ be on my right,    Christ be on my left,
Christ when I sit down,   Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I arise.
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me.
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me.
Christ in every eye that sees me.
Christ in every ear that hears me.
 
~ Evening Prayers ~
"May the peace of the tallest mountain, 
And the peace of the smallest stone be our peace. 
May the stillness of the stars watch over us. 
And may the everlasting music of the Wave lull us to rest."
~~~
The peace of all peace be mine this night. 
In the name of the Father, 
and of the Son, 
and of the Holy Spirit. 
Sleep, O sleep in the calm of each calm. 
Sleep, O sleep in the guidance of all guidance."