Your reactions last week gave plenty of evidence that prayer and breathing can be combined well in the car, the office, on the way to court – wherever we are racing from one thing to another. Just catching a breath is an accomplishment the way our lives go!

Summer presents us with many opportunities for reflection and prayer – but it doesn’t have to be a big formal occasion before it happens.

A walk by a lake, watching the sun rise or set, hearing the laughter of kids playing, hearing the sound of the loon or just fewer cars on the summer commute can remind us to breathe out the negative stuff and breathe in God’s grace.

I am taking a break to catch my breath – and my assistant Keri who pushes the “send” button every Monday morning needs one too. We’ll return at the end of summer and wish you the blessings of rest, laughter and play during the summer season.

A Summer Prayer

Blessing of discovery be yours
and blessing of rest.
Blessing of scenery be yours
and blessing of sleep.
Blessing of friends and family be yours
and blessing of solitude.
Blessing of fun be yours
and blessing of thought.
Blessing of change be yours
and blessing of homecoming.
(From Celtic Prayers for Life Today Ray Simpson, K Mayhew)