511: Happy Labor Day to Americans; Join Us for a Moment of Prayer?

HAPPY LABOR DAY to our American readers!
    Want to know about more spiritual holidays and anniversaries occurring this week? Check out the new edition of Stephanie Fenton’s popular column, “What’s the Spiritual Season?”
    Meanwhile, if you really want to dig into religious wisdom for working people on this Labor Day, we strongly recommend the Web site: “Labor in the Pulipts, on the Bimah and in the Minbar.” It’s a collection of special labor-themed resources from the non-profit group, Interfaith Worker Justice. You’ll find a host of materials from various faith traditions, ready to explore and free to download.
    Also, this week is a major phase in our 2009 Lift Your City in Prayer effort. If you haven’t visited our Prayer-for-Cities resource page, this is a good time to read more about that. (And, if you live in Michigan, mark 11 a.m. this Saturday, September 12, to join with other praying men and women just north of Detroit’s New Center area.)

    Whatever else you do, take a moment to pray today. Next week, we’re publishing an in-depth interview with Dr. Robert J. Wicks, who is internationally known for his work combating stress through disciplines of psychology, medicine, social work and theology. His 40th book is, “Prayerfulness: Awakening to the Fullness of Life.” Next week, you’ll meet Dr. Wicks right here and we’ll tell you a lot more about his work, his wisdom and his new book.
    For today, try one of Dr. Wicks’ recommended prayers, a Celtic blessing. In part, it goes like this:

A Celtic Blessing

I wish you not a path devoid of clouds,
Nor a life on a bed of roses,
Nor that you might never need regret,
Nor that you should never feel pain.

My wish for you is:
That you might be brave in times of trial …
When hope scarce can shine through.
That every gift God gave you might grow along with you
And let you give the gift of joy to all who care for you.
That you may always have a friend who is worth that name,
Whom you can trust, and who helps you in times of sadness,
Who will defy the storms of daily life at your side.

One more wish I have for you:
That in every hour of joy and pain
You may feel God close to you.
This is my wish for you, now and forever.

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    (Originally published at https://readthespirit.com/)

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