This is my 'turning prayer' for the autumn series, 2026.

 

A shorter, simpler form of compass prayer, in which I speak a couple of lines at each point of the compass in turn. Turn when I invite you to, and I'll leave a short pause between each point, for you to breathe and absorb. We finish by turning once more round the circle for an encircling prayer.

 

Turning east:

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I turn to you, Lord, to welcome 

Your dawning life-light, sun-rising within me.

 

Turning south:

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I turn to you, Lord, to stand 

tree-tall in the love-light presence of my Creator.

 

Turning west:

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I turn to you, Lord, to yield 

to the sun-setting, soul-settling mystery of twilight.

 

Turning north:

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I turn to you, Lord, to pin-point 

Your pole-star pulsing in the heart of the darkness.

 

Turning east again, in mercies new:

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I re-turn to you, Lord, to welcome 

Your dawning life-light, sun-rising within me.

 

Lord return me to you,

In the passage of this day;

In the turning of this season,

In the cycle of my life.

Encircle me,

Encompass me,

Gather me, and those I name now, in Your love.

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(Speak some names!)

 

Amen.

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Thanks to Louis Read for providing the musical accompaniment!