Wake the Heavens

Wake the Heavens

Peoples of the Earth,
This hour beseeches you.
Rise from your slumber,
Shake off the demons of sloth.
Open your eyes,
Lift the veil that hides your sin.

Peoples of the Earth,
The dead beseech you.
The living call out.
The blind place their hands upon your arm.
Truth is at the door.
Open and receive.

Peoples of the Earth,
Hope for the good,
The holy, and the hallowed.
Take off your rags,
Don a wedding garment.
That you may feast and dance.

Peoples of the Earth,
Seek the Kingdom of the Great King.
He rains down blessing from above,
He calls saints,
And angels to your side,
For Victory in His Name.

Peoples of the Earth.
A New Day beckons you.
Gather the lame, and the hungry,
Those that hope for Victory beseech you.
Jesus awaits your plaintive cries
To wake the heavens.

© 2016 Joann Nelander

Covenant Prayer for the end of the Church Year and preparation for Advent

From St Gertrude the Great

O LORD God, my Creator, all my desire is before Thee, and my groaning is not hidden from Thee; but inasmuch as the necessities of this life prevent the constant application of my mind to Thy praise, I make with Thee this covenant, earnestly desiring that it may remain in force throughout this week.

Whenever I look up towards Heaven, I desire and intend to rejoice with Thee in Thine infinite perfections; that Thou art what Thou art, supremely strong and wise and loving and just.

As often as I open or close my eyes, I desire and intend to approve and concur in all the holy actions which Thine Only-begotten Son, and all the Saints in Heaven and just on earth, have ever done, or shall ever hereafter do, to Thy glory, and desire to be held a partaker in them all.

As often as I draw my breath, I offer to Thee the Life and Passion and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the merits and sufferings of all the Saints, to Thine eternal glory, for the welfare and peace of all the whole world, and in satisfaction for the sins of all men.

Whenever I sigh, I intend to detest and abhor every sin, as well my own sins as those which have ever been committed from the beginning of the world against the honour of Thy Name. Would that the slight and worthless offering of my blood might be accepted in satisfaction for them! Lastly, as often as I move my hand or my foot, so often do I cast myself with entire resignation upon Thy most holy will, desiring that Thou wouldst dispose of me in time and in eternity, according to Thine adorable good pleasure.

And, lest this fivefold covenant should be in any way made void, I seal it with the seals of Thy five most Sacred Wounds, earnestly desiring that it may have its full force with Thee, even though in any one of these actions it be not actually present to my mind.