Читать книгу Before We Say Goodbye: Preparing for a Good Death - Ray Simpson - Страница 24

Sometimes, during a holiday or a free day, it is good to walk in a quiet place or along a cemetery path and recite prayers that will help you along your final journey on earth. If they become part of you now, they will be a strength to you then.

Alistair Maclean, in his book Hebridean Altars, recalls how the Hebridean islanders used to go singing through the valley:

When Thou shalt close this mouth of mine,

Mine heart lose power to sob,

When my breath shall cease to rattle,

When my pain shall cease to throb,

Then relieve me, and receive me,

And conduct my soul to God. ⁹

He records three other prayers of Hebridean islanders, the first that of an old farmer on the island of Coll.

Be with me and for me, dear Lord,

as I walk upon the road of brightness

that runs between earth and Thy glory.

Saviour and Friend, how wonderful art Thou,

My companion upon the changeful way,

The comforter of its weariness,

My guide to the Eternal Town,

The welcome at its gate.

O Holy Christ, bless me with your presence when my days are drear.

Bless me with your presence when my joy is full.

Bless me with your presence when I reach my end.

Help me in the darkness to find the ford.

Why not make up your own prayers on these themes? Michael Halliwell, from Jersey, wrote this prayer:

Lord of the sunrise, source and ground of my being,

you know me in my mother’s womb.

As my first day begins, heal me of the pain and hurt I receive.

Lord of the dawn, you see me grow strong as I learn to walk and talk,

heal me of tears of separation and loss.

Lord of the high noon, you accompany me along life’s journey,

guide me in choice and strengthen me in adversity.

Lord of the dusk, as my life declines,

help me to surrender all that I have and all that I am into your hand.

Lord of the sunset, as I go to my eternal home,

strengthen me on my last journey with you,

that I may entrust my soul into your hands in faith and hope.