Now That Daylight Fills the Sky

Now that the daylight fills the sky, we lift our hearts to God on high, 

That he in all we do or say, Would keep us safe from harm today.

#Episcopal #morning #hymns #Anglican #EDOLA

Not sure what kind of flower this is, but I photographed it in Innsbruck, Austria back in 2010. 

Episcopal Prayer at the Close of Day

Look down, Lord, from your heavenly throne. Illuminate the darkness of this night with your celestial brightness, and from us, the children of light, banish for ever the deeds of darkness. God our judge and our teacher, let us not waste time when the day is done in guilt or self-reproach. Give us rather the courage to face whatever has been, accept forgiveness, and move on to something better. Amen. 

~ from the New Zealand Prayer Book

Link to image: http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap100413.html 

Unusual Spiral Galaxy M66 from Hubble 

Credit: #NASA, #ESA, #Hubble Heritage

This is Another Day, O Lord

This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.
#Episcopal #prayer #morning #adventure #sky #EDOLA

The Dawn is Sprinkling in the East

Hymn: Aurora Iam Spargit Polum

The dawn is sprinkling in the east

Its golden shower, as day flows in;

Fast mount the pointed shafts of light:

Farewell to darkness and to sin!

Away, ye midnight phantoms all!

Away, despondence and despair!

Whatever guilt the night has brought

Now let it vanish into air.

So, Lord, when that last morning breaks,

Looking to which we sigh and pray,

O may it to Thy minstrels prove

The dawning of a better day.

To God the Father glory be,

And to His sole begotten Son;

Glory, O Holy Ghost, to Thee

While everlasting ages run.

Milky Way Over the 12 Apostles ~ by Christopher Chan

A Collect for Independence Day

O ETERNAL God, through whose mighty power our fathers won their liberties of old; Grant, we beseech thee, that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain these liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us pray for those who are not free, but held captive against their wills, those who are bound by depression and mental struggles, those who feel they cannot be free lest they face discrimination  of race, color, religion, sex or national origin, and for those who are drained of joy in spirit. Let us be mindful of how we can support or help those less fortunate or less free to enjoy some of our daily freedoms and let us pray for those who gave and will give their lives in service of others to fight for and maintain freedom for all.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

A Prayer of Thanks...

Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love. ~ from the General Thanksgiving (BCP)

A Prayer for Quiet Confidence

A Prayer for Quiet Confidence

O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we will be saved, in quietness and confidence will be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

~ Book of Common Prayer

Sand tufas and the Milky Way by Celso Mollo

For the communion of saints, in all times and places, We thank you, Lord

“For the communion of saints, in all times and places, We thank you, Lord.”

Milky Way Over the Church by Linda Trine
Buy a copy HERE
Photo found on FB & online at Yes, You Can See the Milky Way

For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea. We thank you, Lord.

“For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea. We thank you, Lord."

"Milky Way Above Durdle Door" by Stephen Banks. Gorgeous! You can buy a print HERE

O Gracious Light!

O gracious Light,

pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven

O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,

and our eyes behold the vesper light,

we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,

O Son of God, O Giver of life,

and to be glorified through all the worlds.

~ From The Book of Common Prayer (1979)

Previous post: http://episcopalspace.blogspot.com/2014/06/o-gracious-light.html 

google search for milky way images

Episcopal Prayers at the Close of Day

Look down, Lord, from your heavenly throne. Illuminate the darkness of this night with your celestial brightness, and from us, the children of light, banish for ever the deeds of darkness. God our judge and our teacher, let us not waste time when the day is done in guilt or self-reproach. Give us rather the courage to face whatever has been, accept forgiveness, and move on to something better. Amen. (from the New Zealand Prayer Book)

NASA / Hubble image of Messier 5

An Episcopal Evening Prayer

~ From the New Zealand Prayer Book

Lord it is night. The night is for stillness. Let us be still in the presence of God. It is night after a long day. What has been done has been done; what has not been done has not been done. Let it be. The night is dark. Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives rest in you. The night is quiet. Let the quietness of your peace enfold us, all dear to us, and all who have no peace. The night heralds the dawn. Let us look expectantly to a new day, new joys, new possibilities. In your name we pray. Amen

google search for beautiful universe

O Gracious Light!

O gracious Light,

pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven

O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,

and our eyes behold the vesper light,

we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,

O Son of God, O Giver of life,

and to be glorified through all the worlds.

~ From The Book of Common Prayer (1979)

Previous post: http://episcopalspace.blogspot.com/2014/06/o-gracious-light.html 

NASA pic of the day, by Wally Pacholka

O Gracious Light!

O gracious Light,

pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven

O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,

and our eyes behold the vesper light,

we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,

O Son of God, O Giver of life,

and to be glorified through all the worlds.

~ From The Book of Common Prayer (1979)

Milky Way Over Rainer by Ryan Sullivan

The Phos Hilaron (Φῶς Ἱλαρόν) is an ancient hymn - translated into English as 'Hail Gladdening Light' or 'O Gladsome/Joyous Light'. It is the earliest known Christian hymn recorded outside of the Bible that is still in use today. It is part of vespers in the Eastern Orthodox tradition and also used in Episcopal, Anglican, and Lutheran liturgies. My personal favorite version is the translation by John Keble here below:

Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured

Who is th’immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

Holiest of Holies – Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest;

The lights of evening round us shine;

We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung

With undefiled tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

Hail Gladdening Light!

Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured

Who is th’immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

Holiest of Holies – Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest;

The lights of evening round us shine;

We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung

With undefiled tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

~translation of the Phos hilaron by John Keble
(prev. post - http://episcopalspace.blogspot.com/2014/06/o-gracious-light.html )

google search for milky way

Hail Gladdening Light!

Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured

Who is th’immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

Holiest of Holies – Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest;

The lights of evening round us shine;

We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung

With undefiled tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

~translation of the Phos hilaron by John Keble
(prev. post - http://episcopalspace.blogspot.com/2014/06/o-gracious-light.html )

National Geographic image by Jim Richardson

Hail, Gladdening Light!

Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured

Who is th’immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

Holiest of Holies – Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest;

The lights of evening round us shine;

We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung

With undefiled tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

~translation of the Phos hilaron by John Keble
(prev. post - http://episcopalspace.blogspot.com/2014/06/o-gracious-light.html )

google search for milky way image

O Gracious Light!

O gracious Light,

pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven

O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,

and our eyes behold the vesper light,

we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,

O Son of God, O Giver of life,

and to be glorified through all the worlds.

~ From The Book of Common Prayer (1979)

The Phos Hilaron (Φῶς Ἱλαρόν) is an ancient hymn - translated into English as 'Hail Gladdening Light' or 'O Gladsome/Joyous Light'. It is the earliest known Christian hymn recorded outside of the Bible that is still in use today. It is part of vespers in the Eastern Orthodox tradition and also used in Episcopal, Anglican, and Lutheran liturgies. My personal favorite version is the translation by John Keble here below:

Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured

Who is th’immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

Holiest of Holies – Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest;

The lights of evening round us shine;

We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung

With undefiled tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

NASA APOD google search shadowplaynyc blog

"I am the Light of the world"

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

Milky Way image by Derek Rowly, found at:
http://ourstoriesandperspectives.com/2013/01/17/unwrapping-the-milky-way-at-riverbend-park/ 

Thine is the day, O God, thine also the night; thou hast established the moon and the sun. #Psalm 74:15

Thine is the day, O God, thine also the night; thou hast established the moon and the sun. #Psalm 74:15

Image Credit: NASA/SDO/LRO/GSFC
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_2530.html#.U5TuI3JdWSo