Celtic Prayers from Iona

I like to have daily devotionals and these are particularly good for adding meditation to the scripture and prayers.

I have other books by this author but this one is my favorite. I love the Celtic prayers. And this is more than just prayers but can be used for devotions at the beginning and end of the day. There are prayers and opportunities to read scriptures and to insert your own prayers of thanksgiving. There is also an invitation to be silent and listen to God.

Philip Newell has collected (and streamlined) some of the great prayers from the Carmina Gaedelica and intertwined them with bits of Psalm 135, as well as daily gospel and psalm readings to create a really wonderful resource for personal prayer. I have used the book for more than a year in my own devotions, and still find newness and appeal in the selections Newell has made. As is true of the Iona Community, there is no avoidance of social justice, environmental awareness and a deep connection to the Spirit. The book is also beautifully designed in calligraphy.

I've given away about a half dozen of these books. It is a wonderful way to establish and maintain a discipline of daily prayer. Psalm 139 ties the 12 portions (morning and evening of every day but Sunday) together. Each day corresponds to a theme valued by the Iona Community. The structure of each day is the same, but the prayers and focus are different. The prayers themselves are beautiful. Each day starts with a time of quiet meditation, thanksgiving, the Lord's Prayer, and a reading. I usually choose my own readings, but suggestions are made if you need them. There is also time for prayers of asking, and a closing prayer. You can spend as much time each day as you like. It is up to you. It is a guide, not a boss. I find that using this book daily has had a significant effect on my work and daily life.

This book spoke to my Irish heart and a view of Christianity gifted to me by three great-aunts. I was surprised to find thst their earthy familiarity with the Divine had a name and a long tradition. These daily prayers are based on the Celtic poem prayer, which rejoices in the Divine and Christ found reflected in all around us - from the lush countryside to that dandilion struggling to grow in the crack of the city pavement. The result of scholarship and the collection of oral faith tradition, it's lilting poetry praises God through his creation. It has become my morning and evening prayer ritual of reflection, scripture reading and prayer. And you don't have to be Irish to appreciate its richness

This is a beautiful prayer book of morning and evening personal liturgy based on Monday through Saturday. It includes a lectionary of psalms and readings for each day of the church year. A wonderful prayer book to use in your daily prayers. I'm giving one to each of the kids in my youth group who are going on pilgrimage to Iona. I highly recommend this book for anyone wishing to structure their prayer life.