Caedmon's Prayer and Mine

A Prayer from the Northumbrian Community which states exactly what I would wish for my life.

This is a prayer to celebrate the life of Caedmon whose day of celebration is the 11^th of February. That seems a long way away from high summer - it is August as I write this – unless you look out of my window today and see grey rain sheeting over the Yorkshire countryside.

Caedmon’s Prayer

I cannot speak unless you loose my tongue.

I only stammer and I speak uncertainly;

But if you touch my mouth my Lord

Then I will sing the story of Your wonders.

Teach me to hear that story through each person ,

To cradle a sense of wonder in their life,

To honour the hard-earned wisdom

Of their suffering,

To awaken their joy

That the King of all Kings

Stoops down

To wash their feet

And looking up

Into their face

Says

‘I know – I understand.’