In my years at St. Luke’s, Bartlesville—and now at St. Bede’s, Westport—I have encouraged people to add spiritual disciplines and resources during Lent. One of the most meaningful resources is Practicing His Presence by and about Brother Lawrence and Frank Laubach. This ten-dollar book will help enrich your spirituality in surprising ways. This could also be said for “Praying the Hours with the Chalice of the Heart.” This spiritual tool came out of a Spiritual Discipline Group at St. Luke’s and the influence of Sister Macrina Wiederkehr’s Seven Sacred Pauses. May you indeed have a Holy Lent.
Praying the Hours with the Chalice of the Heart
Praying the Hours is a way to practice the Presence of God throughout the day. The times do not need to be exact but may be adjusted to circumstances. The words are intended to prompt prayers of the heart. When possible allow a few minutes of silence after reading the prayer.
Night
Holy One, in the darkness of this night let me cradle the Chalice of my Heart with peaceful anticipation of tomorrow. Hold, cleanse, restore and prepare me with your grace even as I sleep. May your Spirit even now be consecrating the wine and me for another day. Amen.
Morning (may choose one)
Gracious God, Creator of all including me, I am grateful for a new day. Before I give thought to what I will face today, fill the Chalice of my Heart with joy and wonder. Bless me with renewed confidence that I am loveable and capable as one of your beloved. As I take the first sip in the morning light, give me vision, courage and grace for this day. Amen.
Lord Christ, as I set out on this day let me drink deeply from the Chalice of my Heart which you have filled to the brim. Let your love flow freely in my mind, body and soul so I will be fully ready for the opportunities and encounters ahead of me. As I live into your love, help me remember to slowly sip and sip and sip so I may live and love and live and love. Amen.
Midmorning
Lover of All, guide me in offering the Chalice of my Heart for others to drink and know they are loved by you and by me. Let me not withhold nor neglect, but freely lift the Cup of Life for those persons I don’t like or with whom I disagree or who have hurt me or who are simply different than me or not known by name. May my life be a sacrament to everyone. Amen
Midday
Sacrificial Gift, fill the Chalice of my Heart again with sacrificial love and teach me at this noon hour how to give myself for you to others. The day has been busy and there is much more to come. May your love abound more and more as courage and compassion that blesses others through me continually – with no exceptions. Amen
Midafternoon
Divine Presence, give me Wisdom in handling the Chalice of my Heart as I drink and as I share your perpetual sacrament. Focus my senses and spirit that I may finish the day well. Let me build on what I have experienced of you and find new freedom to grow in your grace. Amen.
Evening
Lord Jesus, the day is about over and the light of day is yielding to the light of night. In the Chalice of my Heart, your light glimmers on the wine of your love and I am filled with hope. Your presence throughout the day was steadfast even when my mind wandered and I seemed unaware. It was then that you nudged me to drink again. I smiled to myself and leaned forward again to sip, love and live. I am grateful. Amen
Retiring
Oh God of Life, my life, let me drink one more time from the Chalice of my Heart so I may rest in peace. As I remember the day and encounters along the way, I am filled with gratitude. Truly your steadfast love never ends. Now let me sleep intoxicated with your love as we prepare for another day. Amen.
—The Rev. Dr. Lee T. Stephens
St. Bede’s, Westport