[Main Blog Post] A Few Daily Prayers

[jprussell]

I have found it helpful in my own spiritual practice to say regular prayers for a few things I do every day (or most every day). Personally, I find it helpful to find excuses to turn my mind to the spiritual when otherwise going about my business, and these prayers help. As always I welcome feedback, but for this one in particular, I'd love to hear what kind of habitual/regular prayers you say or spiritual practices you engage in, whether monotheistic, polytheistic, or otherwise.

Comments

[thinking_turtle]

Thanks for sharing these prayers! I've been doing the morning exercise from Way of the Golden section for several months now. I think it's a variety of the Four Fold breath. Rather than having fixed words to say, I follow the breath and see where it takes me. It makes the day feel much more peaceful.

[jprussell]

Thanks for the kind words! I also do the morning exercise from WotGS daily, and at least for me, I don't do a four-count for it, I just breath "slowly." Maybe I should give it a try having more intentional pauses between the in-breath and out-breath.

[thinking_turtle]

That's funny, because I tried holding my breath only after you suggested it. Looks like you were talking about the Solar Plexus exercise instead!

Holding between breathing adds two additional phases to the exercise. During the holding phases I visualize my need for others and others need for me. It lays a constructive basis for my day.

The Way of the Golden Section says to "hold the breath for a little while" and to "leave your lungs empty for a little while" (page 26.)

[jprussell]

Ah, thanks, I hadn't revisited that recently, so I didn't know I was missing that detail. I like your addition of considering how you need others and how they need you.

[(Anonymous)]

Thanks for sharing these. I am reminded that I should be praying over my food; saying the blessing was my job as a child, and it was difficult extricating myself from the obligation when I became Pagan in my teens. Today I'd just shrug and come up with a suitably non-denominational prayer while mentally addressing it to my Gods, but I was very invested in my rebellion, both against the WELS and my dad, in those days. Ah, youth...

Speaking of prayers, do you have a copy of Galina Krasskova's (now sadly out of print) devotional to Idunn and Bragi, "Skalded Apples"?

--Sister Crow

[(Anonymous)]

Got sidetracked and didn't finish my thought again, I see. I meant to say that because I was forced to say the prayer as a kid, I have a bit of a mental block about doing it now. I once wrote a very pretty meal blessing, which was published in the AODA "Druid's Book of Ceremonies," but I've since realized it's more art than heart--a better poem than a prayer.

[jprussell]

For food, I got started with a simple "Thank you to everyone who got this from where it started to here."
Thanks for the kind words!

As for the block, I don't have quite the same thing, but I did struggle for a while with prayer "feeling Christian," since the only prayers I had ever said growing up were Christian ones, praying felt like a Christian activity. These days I don't feel that as much, I think through sheer repetition.

And your thought about "more art than heart" is a good one - I know you were directing it at your own efforts, but thanks for putting that idea in my head, it'll be a good antidote to getting too cutesy with the metrical forms and what not.

Lastly, sadly, I do not have that devotional - I've been considering getting some of her devotionals (like the Odhinn one), as I like her approach to prayer and piety, but I haven't done so yet. I may poke around alibris and see if I can find Skalded Apples (heh).

[(Anonymous)]

I own it; I got extra-lucky on Half Price Books website a few months ago (because of course I didn't get permission to honor the Norse deities until AFTER the book was OOP!). It doesn't show up used very often. If you can't find a copy, perhaps we can work something out. If you're interested, let me know how to contact you.

--Sister Crow

[jprussell]

Ah, very nice - since you commented, I have found it is hard to come by, indeed! I might head over to her blog today for Wodinic Wednesday and ask if she has any plans to reprint. If not, I'd certainly be interested in borrowing it, and I'd be more than happy to offer something of mine in return. To get a hold of me, if you're comfortable with email, jeff DOT powell DOT russell AT the super common "g" email provider is a good way to get a hold of me. If not, a comment here with "not for posting" in the subject or body works as well.