This is Another Day, O Lord

In The Morning

This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.

- Book of Common Prayer (BCP)

The Colorful Clouds of Rho Ophiuchi
Credit & Copyright: Jim Misti and Steve Mazlin, (acquisition), Robert Gendler (processing) http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap060714.html 

“Look down, O Lord, from your heavenly throne, and illumine this night with your celestial brightness”

“Look down, O Lord, from your heavenly throne, and illumine this night with your celestial brightness.”

Found on a wallpaper site from googling "red aurora"

An Evening Hymn

An Evening Hymn

Now, now that the sun hath veil’d his light

And bid the world goodnight;

To the soft bed my body I dispose,

But where shall my soul repose? 

Dear, dear God, even in Thy arms, 

And can there be any so sweet security! 

Then to thy rest, O my soul! 

And singing, praise the mercy 

That prolongs thy days. 

Hallelujah! 

~ text by Dr. William Fuller (1608-1675)
Henry Purcell also famously set this as "An Evening Hymn"

Over the Top 
Image Credit & Copyright: Luc Perrot
Taken in February, the photograph was voted the winner of the2014 International Earth and Sky Photo Contest's Beauty of the Night Sky Category.

Episcopal Prayer: The Wonders and Mysteries of the Universe

God, grant as we discover the fascinating wonders and mysteries of the universe, we may
come to know you more truly! Amen .

Hubble Ultra Deep Field 2014
Image Credit: NASA, ESA, H.Teplitz and M.Rafelski (IPAC/Caltech),
A. Koekemoer (STScI), R. Windhorst(ASU), Z. Levay (STScI)

For the communion of saints, in all times and places, We thank you, Lord

“For the communion of saints, in all times and places, We thank you, Lord.”

Milky Way Over the Church by Linda Trine
Buy a copy HERE
Photo found on FB & online at Yes, You Can See the Milky Way

Wonders and Mysteries of the Universe

God, grant as we discover the fascinating wonders and mysteries of the universe, we may come to know you more truly! Amen.

The Pleiades Deep and Dusty from NASA_app. Image by David Lane

For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea. We thank you, Lord.

“For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea. We thank you, Lord."

"Milky Way Above Durdle Door" by Stephen Banks. Gorgeous! You can buy a print HERE

O Gracious Light!

O gracious Light,

pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven

O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,

and our eyes behold the vesper light,

we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,

O Son of God, O Giver of life,

and to be glorified through all the worlds.

~ From The Book of Common Prayer (1979)

Previous post: http://episcopalspace.blogspot.com/2014/06/o-gracious-light.html 

google search for milky way images

An Episcopal Evening Prayer

~ From the New Zealand Prayer Book

Lord it is night. The night is for stillness. Let us be still in the presence of God. It is night after a long day. What has been done has been done; what has not been done has not been done. Let it be. The night is dark. Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives rest in you. The night is quiet. Let the quietness of your peace enfold us, all dear to us, and all who have no peace. The night heralds the dawn. Let us look expectantly to a new day, new joys, new possibilities. In your name we pray. Amen

google search for beautiful universe

O Gracious Light!

O gracious Light,

pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven

O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,

and our eyes behold the vesper light,

we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,

O Son of God, O Giver of life,

and to be glorified through all the worlds.

~ From The Book of Common Prayer (1979)

Previous post: http://episcopalspace.blogspot.com/2014/06/o-gracious-light.html 

NASA pic of the day, by Wally Pacholka

O Gracious Light!

O gracious Light,

pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven

O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,

and our eyes behold the vesper light,

we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,

O Son of God, O Giver of life,

and to be glorified through all the worlds.

~ From The Book of Common Prayer (1979)

Milky Way Over Rainer by Ryan Sullivan

The Phos Hilaron (Φῶς Ἱλαρόν) is an ancient hymn - translated into English as 'Hail Gladdening Light' or 'O Gladsome/Joyous Light'. It is the earliest known Christian hymn recorded outside of the Bible that is still in use today. It is part of vespers in the Eastern Orthodox tradition and also used in Episcopal, Anglican, and Lutheran liturgies. My personal favorite version is the translation by John Keble here below:

Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured

Who is th’immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

Holiest of Holies – Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest;

The lights of evening round us shine;

We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung

With undefiled tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

Hail Gladdening Light!

Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured

Who is th’immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

Holiest of Holies – Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest;

The lights of evening round us shine;

We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung

With undefiled tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

~translation of the Phos hilaron by John Keble
(prev. post - http://episcopalspace.blogspot.com/2014/06/o-gracious-light.html )

google search for milky way

Hail Gladdening Light!

Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured

Who is th’immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

Holiest of Holies – Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest;

The lights of evening round us shine;

We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung

With undefiled tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

~translation of the Phos hilaron by John Keble
(prev. post - http://episcopalspace.blogspot.com/2014/06/o-gracious-light.html )

National Geographic image by Jim Richardson

Hail, Gladdening Light!

Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured

Who is th’immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

Holiest of Holies – Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest;

The lights of evening round us shine;

We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung

With undefiled tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

~translation of the Phos hilaron by John Keble
(prev. post - http://episcopalspace.blogspot.com/2014/06/o-gracious-light.html )

google search for milky way image

O Gracious Light!

O gracious Light,

pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven

O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,

and our eyes behold the vesper light,

we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,

O Son of God, O Giver of life,

and to be glorified through all the worlds.

~ From The Book of Common Prayer (1979)

The Phos Hilaron (Φῶς Ἱλαρόν) is an ancient hymn - translated into English as 'Hail Gladdening Light' or 'O Gladsome/Joyous Light'. It is the earliest known Christian hymn recorded outside of the Bible that is still in use today. It is part of vespers in the Eastern Orthodox tradition and also used in Episcopal, Anglican, and Lutheran liturgies. My personal favorite version is the translation by John Keble here below:

Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure glory poured

Who is th’immortal Father, heavenly, blest,

Holiest of Holies – Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest;

The lights of evening round us shine;

We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine!

Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung

With undefiled tongue,

Son of our God, giver of life, alone:

Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.

NASA APOD google search shadowplaynyc blog

"I am the Light of the world"

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

Milky Way image by Derek Rowly, found at:
http://ourstoriesandperspectives.com/2013/01/17/unwrapping-the-milky-way-at-riverbend-park/ 

Thine is the day, O God, thine also the night; thou hast established the moon and the sun. #Psalm 74:15

Thine is the day, O God, thine also the night; thou hast established the moon and the sun. #Psalm 74:15

Image Credit: NASA/SDO/LRO/GSFC
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_2530.html#.U5TuI3JdWSo 

Episcopal Prayers at the Close of Day

Look down, Lord, from your heavenly throne. Illuminate the darkness of this night with your celestial brightness, and from us, the children of light, banish for ever the deeds of darkness. God our judge and our teacher, let us not waste time when the day is done in guilt or self-reproach. Give us rather the courage to face whatever has been, accept forgiveness, and move on to something better. Amen. (from the New Zealand Prayer Book)

Credit:  NASA, ESA, and E. Perlman (Florida Institute of Technology)

Episcopal Prayers at the Close of Day

Look down, Lord, from your heavenly throne. Illuminate the darkness of this night with your celestial brightness, and from us, the children of light, banish for ever the deeds of darkness. God our judge and our teacher, let us not waste time when the day is done in guilt or self-reproach. Give us rather the courage to face whatever has been, accept forgiveness, and move on to something better. Amen. (from the New Zealand Prayer Book)

El Gordo Galaxy, a NASA / ESA image

Episcopal Prayers at the Close of Day

Look down, Lord, from your heavenly throne. Illuminate the darkness of this night with your celestial brightness, and from us, the children of light, banish for ever the deeds of darkness. God our judge and our teacher, let us not waste time when the day is done in guilt or self-reproach. Give us rather the courage to face whatever has been, accept forgiveness, and move on to something better. Amen. (from the New Zealand Prayer Book)

NOAA's GOES satellite image

Episcopal Prayers at the Close of Day

Look down, Lord, from your heavenly throne. Illuminate the darkness of this night with your celestial brightness, and from us, the children of light, banish for ever the deeds of darkness. God our judge and our teacher, let us not waste time when the day is done in guilt or self-reproach. Give us rather the courage to face whatever has been, accept forgiveness, and move on to something better. Amen. (from the New Zealand Prayer Book)

NASA / Hubble image of Messier 5

Episcopal Prayers at the Close of Day

Look down, Lord, from your heavenly throne. Illuminate the darkness of this night with your celestial brightness, and from us, the children of light, banish for ever the deeds of darkness. God our judge and our teacher, let us not waste time when the day is done in guilt or self-reproach. Give us rather the courage to face whatever has been, accept forgiveness, and move on to something better. Amen. (from the New Zealand Prayer Book)

NASA astronaut image from Mercury capsule above Earth

Episcopal Prayers at the Close of Day

Look down, Lord, from your heavenly throne. Illuminate the darkness of this night with your celestial brightness, and from us, the children of light, banish for ever the deeds of darkness. God our judge and our teacher, let us not waste time when the day is done in guilt or self-reproach. Give us rather the courage to face whatever has been, accept forgiveness, and move on to something better. Amen. (from the New Zealand Prayer Book)

Mars dunes, NASA/JPL image

Episcopal Prayers at the Close of Day

Look down, Lord, from your heavenly throne. Illuminate the darkness of this night with your celestial brightness, and from us, the children of light, banish for ever the deeds of darkness. God our judge and our teacher, let us not waste time when the day is done in guilt or self-reproach. Give us rather the courage to face whatever has been, accept forgiveness, and move on to something better. Amen. (from the New Zealand Prayer Book)

NASA / ISS image of our Moon above our Earth. Taken by astronauts.

Exploring God's Wonder and Mystery

God, grant as we discover the fascinating wonders and mysteries of the universe, we may come to know you more truly! Amen. 

NASA / ESA/ Hubble image of NGC 1566 in the constellation of Dorado

Exploring God's Wonder and Mystery

God, grant as we discover the fascinating wonders and mysteries of the universe, we may come to know you more truly! Amen. 

Massive Nearby Spiral Galaxy NGC 2841
Image Credit: Hubble, Subaru; Composition & Copyright: Robert Gendler

Exploring God's Wonder and Mystery

God, grant as we discover the fascinating wonders and mysteries of the universe, we may come to know you more truly! Amen. 

Voyager's Neptune
Composite Image Credit & Copyright: Assembly/Processing - Rolf Olsen,
Data - Voyager 2, NASA Planetary Data System

Exploring God's Wonder and Mystery

God, grant as we discover the fascinating wonders and mysteries of the universe, we may come to know you more truly! Amen. 

Jupiter's Great Red Spot from Voyager 1
Image Credit: NASA, JPL; Digital processing: Björn Jónsson (IAAA)

Exploring God's Wonder and Mystery

God, grant as we discover the fascinating wonders and mysteries of the universe, we may come to know you more truly! Amen. 

In the Center of Spiral Galaxy M61
Image Credit: ESA/Hubble, NASA; Acknowledgements: G. Chapdelaine & L. Limatola

Exploring God's Wonder and Mystery

God, grant as we discover the fascinating wonders and mysteries of the universe, we may come to know you more truly! Amen. 

The Cone Nebula from Hubble
Image Credit: Hubble Legacy Archive, NASA, ESA - Processing & Licence: Judy Schmidt

Exploring God's Wonder and Mystery

God, grant as we discover the fascinating wonders and mysteries of the universe, we may come to know you more truly! Amen. 

Millions of Stars in Omega Centauri
Image Credit & Copyright: CEDIC Team, Processing - Christoph Kaltseis

Exploring God's Wonder and Mystery

God, grant as we discover the fascinating wonders and mysteries of the universe, we may come to know you more truly! Amen. 

Planetary Nebula Abell 36
Image Credit & Copyright: Adam Block, Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, Univ. Arizona

Exploring God's Wonder and Mystery

God, grant as we discover the fascinating wonders and mysteries of the universe, we may come to know you more truly! Amen. 

Satellite Station and Southern Skies
Image Credit & Copyright: James Garlick

Exploring God's Wonder and Mystery

God, grant as we discover the fascinating wonders and mysteries of the universe, we may come to know you more truly! Amen. 

Halo of the Cat's Eye
Image Credit & Copyright: R. Corradi (Isaac Newton Group), Nordic Optical Telescope

An Evening Prayer

Look down, Lord, from your heavenly throne. Illuminate the darkness of this night with your celestial brightness, and from us, the children of light, banish for ever the deeds of darkness. God our judge and our teacher, let us not waste time when the day is done in guilt or self-reproach. Give us rather the courage to face whatever has been, accept forgiveness, and move on to something better. Amen. (from the New Zealand Prayer Book)

M16 and the Eagle Nebula
Image Credit & Copyright: Adam Block, Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter, Univ. Arizona

Episcopal Prayers at the Close of Day

Look down, Lord, from your heavenly throne. Illuminate the darkness of this night with your celestial brightness, and from us, the children of light, banish for ever the deeds of darkness. God our judge and our teacher, let us not waste time when the day is done in guilt or self-reproach. Give us rather the courage to face whatever has been, accept forgiveness, and move on to something better. Amen. (from the New Zealand Prayer Book)

Open Cluster NGC 290: A Stellar Jewel Box
Image Credit: ESA & NASA; Acknowledgement: E. Olszewski (U. Arizona)

An Evening Prayer

God, grant as we probe the wonders and mysteries of our own solar system, we may come to know you more truly! Amen.

Exploring God's Wonder and Mystery

God, grant as we probe the wonders and mysteries of the universe, we may come to know you more truly! Amen.

Star Forming Region in the Small Magellanic Cloud, NASA Image
www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_448.html 

Episcopal Prayers at the Close of Day

From the Canadian Prayer Book:

To you before the close of day, Creator of all things, we pray that, in your saving constancy, our guard and keeper you would be. Save us from troubled, restless sleep; from all ill dreams your children keep. So calm our minds that fears may cease and rested bodies wake in peace. A healthy life we ask of you: the fire of love in us renew, and when the dawn new light will bring, your praise and glory we shall sing. Almighty Father, hear our cry through Jesus Christ, our Lord, most high, Whom with the Spirit we adore forever and for evermore. Amen.

Milky Way Over Spain's Bardenas Reales
Image Credit & Copyright: Maria Rosa Vila
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap130902.html

An Evening Prayer

From the Book of Common Prayer, 1979

O God, your unfailing providence sustains the world we live in and the life we live: Watch over those, both night and day, who work while others sleep, and grant that we may never forget that our common life depends upon each other’s toil; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Three Galaxies and a Comet
Image Credit & Copyright: Miloslav Druckmuller (Brno University of Technology)
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap131020.html

Episcopal Prayers at the Close of Day

From the New Zealand Prayer Book:

Lord it is night. The night is for stillness. Let us be still in the presence of God. It is night after a long day. What has been done has been done; what has not been done has not been done. Let it be. The night is dark. Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives rest in you. The night is quiet. Let the quietness of your peace enfold us, all dear to us, and all who have no peace. The night heralds the dawn. Let us look expectantly to a new day, new joys, new possibilities. In your name we pray. Amen.

A Starry Night of Iceland

Credit: Stephane Vetter (Nuits sacrees)

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110517.html