It’s not often that a prayer by a medieval bishop becomes the impetus for a pop song, but such is the case with a song from the musical Godspell. Who could have imagined that the catchy triplicate rhyme from the refrain of “Day by Day” sung by a motley crew of hippie-looking disciples originated with a thirteenth-century saint?
Richard of Chichester (1197-1253) walked away from a sizable family estate and spurned his family’s attempt to arrange for his marriage, instead pursing a contemplative life. After his studies and his consecration as priest, Richard was elected bishop of Chichester, England, even though King Henry VIII preferred a candidate who was clueless about theology. Despite repeated attempts by the meddling king to lessen Richard’s influence, Richard became an exemplary bishop. His deep spirituality and frugal lifestyle (he wore a hair shirt, practiced a vegetarian died, and refused to eat with silver) brought much-needed reform to the church in a time of considerable stagnation and corruption.
The prayer for which Richard is most remembered was prayed on his deathbed. Richard’s close friend and private confessor, Ralph Bocking, was a Dominican friar who had been called to Richard’s bedside in his final moments. His confessor was so enamored with Richard’s final prayer that he copied it down and included it in his biography of his departed friend.
With an economy of words, the prayer offers final confession, expresses gratitude for God’s mercy, and closes with poetic flourish. In a single sentence, Richard references the importance of Christian doctrine (“know you more clearly”), devotion (“love you more dearly”) and discipleship (“follow you more nearly”). You can tell a lot about people by the way they pray.