A Prayer from Oswald of Northumbria

All that I am, Lord,
I place into your hands.

All that I do, Lord,
I place into your hands.

Everything I work for
I place into your hands.

Everything I hope for
I place into your hands.

The troubles that weary me
I place into your hands.

The thoughts that disturb me
I place into your hands.

Each that I pray for
I place into your hands.

Each that I care for
I place into your hands. . .

Keep me close to you, Lord.

Keep me close to you.
I lift my hands to you, Lord,
I lift them up to you.

Hands, Lord, Your gift to us,
We stretch them up to You.
Always You hold us.


Help me to find my happiness
in my acceptance of what is Your will for me
in friendly eyes, in work well done,
in quietness born of trust, and most of all,
in the awareness of Your presence in my spirit.

-- Oswald of Northumbria (605-642)