God be in my head and in my understanding
God be in my eyes and in my looking
God be in my mouth and in my speaking
God be in my heart and in my thinking
God be in my end and in my departing
These words were very appropriately sung by the Canadian Mennonite University Choir at the end of a worship concert at my church this spring. “God be in my end and in my departing,” they sang as they drew the evening to a close and prepared to leave. The next morning, I read these same words as a call to worship for my congregation, to set the tone for our time together, to ask God to be in our gathering and in our worship.
Today I read them more personally—not for others, but for myself. I ask God for this day—for my head, my eyes, my mouth and heart and end. God be in me, and transform my understanding, looking, speaking, thinking, departing. For this moment and for the rest of the day. Amen.
Writing/Reflection Prompt: This short prayer comes from the middle ages, author unknown. Re-read it prayerfully for yourself, or watch the following video where the words have been set to music by British composer, Sir Henry Walford Davies. Not your kind of music? Not sure it’s mine either, but it does help me slow down and focus on the words. Which line resonates most with you today?
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April Yamasaki 