6:00 AM

RAKAT/AMIDAH/PROSTRATION

Oh God,

Let my prayers be embodied things

Not simply words that drip from ever moving lips

Let my alms, my actions, my smile, my embrace

Be my orison, lifted to you with each breath I take

If I light incense,

Let it be in the temple

Of a coffee ceremony

Each of us gathered

Holding now these consecrated vessels

To grateful lips

Let our fellowship make us worthy priests

Offering to you ourselves

Let the laughter of my daughter

And the delirious delight of my son

The sweet smell of my wife’s perfume

Be my psalter, my reminder of the goodness of you

Let me not give you only words

But a life lived worshipfully

Poured out like liquid

On the altar of all our human being

Oh Christ,

Allow me to become in my praying

Like yourself,

A Word alive

And wholly incarnate