Celtic Prayer

I listened recently to a podcast of a physicist talking about the Old Testament book of Genesis. This scientist, a Christian, reminded listeners that God is revealed in two books: the book of Scripture and the book of nature. The thought is hardly original with this scientist. Augustine wrote about the twin books of Scripture and nature in the fifth century.
You may be familiar with today’s prayer. I’ve often heard it quoted in quasi-religious settings. The prayer has obscure origins. It has Celtic roots and may derive from the ancient Iona monastic community. The prayer contains a sequence of phrases to represent God’s handiwork in nature–running waves, flowing air, quiet earth, shining stars, gentle night and healing light. There’s much to commend in these evocative images. Take running waves. Give me a beach chair, an ocean panoramic and I’m a happy camper. The rhythmic ebb and flow of the waves has a calming effect on me. The other repetitive element in the prayer are the words, “deep peace.” Peace originates in the heart of God and is given to Jesus’ followers. Jesus speaks with his disciples in John 14 about the trouble awaiting them in Jerusalem. He announces that the religious establishment will arrest him, his closest followers will betray him, and he will die a criminal’s death. His words upset the disciples, yet he reassures them, “Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14.27). One traditional ending of the Celtic prayer contains the words, “Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you.” Composer John Rutter enlarged on this theme in his musical composition, “A Gaelic Blessing.” He accentuates Jesus’ offer of peace by adding several references to the deep peace of Christ at the conclusion of the anthem. May the deep peace of Christ fill us as we pray: