Pocket Prayers for Pilgrims. John Pritchard

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      Some people travel in straight lines,

      sitting in metal boxes, eyes ahead,

      always mindful of the target,

      moving in obedience to coloured lines and white lines.

      Some people travel round in circles,

      trudging in drudgery, eyes looking down,

      knowing only too well their daily, unchanging round,

      moving in response to clock and habit,

      journey never finished yet never begun.

      I want to travel in patterns of God’s making:

      walking in wonder, gazing all around,

      knowing my destiny, though not my destination,

      moving to the rhythm of the surging of the Spirit,

      a journey which, when life ends,

      in Christ has just begun.

      Adapted from Sunday Worship on BBC Radio 4

      Let us make our way together, Lord; wherever you go I must go: and through whatever you pass, there too I will pass.

      Teresa of Avila, 1515–82

      Give me my scallop-shell* of quiet,

      my staff of faith to walk upon,

      my scrip of joy, immortal diet,

      my bottle of salvation,

      my gown of glory, hope’s true gage;

      and thus I’ll take my pilgrimage

       Sir Walter Raleigh, 1552–1618

       *A scallop shell was the token and sign that someone had made the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.

      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 I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe 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 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 peril alone.

      Thomas Merton, 1915-68

      O Lord Jesus Christ, who hast said that thou art the way, the truth and the life; suffer us not at any time to stray from thee, who art the way; nor to distrust thy promises, who art the truth; nor to rest in any other thing, who art the life; beyond which there is nothing to be desired, neither in heaven, nor in earth.

      Christian Prayers, 1578

      Today we are far from home

      and have lost the key to the door.

      But you call us to go in

      and find ourselves again.

      Your invitation is to the interior life.

      Your experience is that of persons

      who regain a sense of themselves.

      Benedict, teach us the way back to the heart,

      in Christ our Lord.

      Prayer on the shrine of St. Benedict at Fleury,

       St-Benoit-sur-Loire

      Teach us, O God,

      to view our life here on earth

      as a pilgrim’s path to heaven,

      and give us grace to tread it courageously

      in the company of your faithful people.

      Help us to set our affections on things above,

      not on the passing vanities of this world,

      and grant that as we journey on

      in the way of holiness

      we may bear a good witness to our Lord,

      and serve all who need our help along the way,

      for the glory of your name.

      Hereford Cathedral

      God the Sender, send us.

      God the Sent, come with us.

      God the Strengthener of those who go, empower us,

      that we may go forever and wherever with you

      Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

      Anon.

      Pilgrim God, there is an exodus going on in my life: desert stretches, a vast land of questions. Inside my head your promises tumble and turn. No pillar of cloud by day or fire by night that I can see. My heart hurts at leaving loved ones and so much of the security I have known. I try to give in to the stretching and the pain. It is hard, God, and I want to be settled, secure, safe and sure. And here I am feeling so full of pilgrim’s fear and anxiety. O God of the journey, lift me up, press me against your cheek. Let your great love hold me and create a deep trust in me. Then set me down, God of the journey; take my hand in yours, and guide me ever so gently across the new territory of my life.

      Joyce Rupp

      God of glory,

      the end of our searching,

      help us to lay aside

      all that prevents us from seeking your kingdom,

      and to give all that we have

      to gain the pearl beyond all price,

      through our Saviour Jesus Christ.

      Common Worship, Additional Collects