Anonymous Irish

Celtic Prayer

O God, listen to my prayer Let my earnest petition come to you, for I know that you are hearing me As surely as though I saw you with mine eyes. I am placing a lock upon my heart, I am placing a lock upon my thoughts, I am placing a lock upon my lips And double-knitting them. Aught that is amiss for my soul In the pulsing of my death, May you, O God, sweep it from me And may you shield me in the blood of your love. Let no thought come to my heart, Let no sound come to my ear, Let no temptation come to my eye, Let no fragrance come to my nose, Let no fancy come to my mind, 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 as a guide, From my life's beginning to my life's closing.