This morning, as I kindle the fire on my hearth,
I pray that the flame of God’s love may burn in
my heart and in the hearts of all I meet today.
I pray that no envy or malice,
no hatred or fear, may smother the flame.
I pray that indifference and apathy, contempt and pride,
may not pour like cold water on the fire.
Instead, may the spark of God’s love
light the love in my heart,
that it may burn brightly through the day.
And may I warm those who are lonely,
whose hearts are cold and lifeless,
so that all may know the comfort of God’s love.
This prayer is from the tradition of Gaelic Christianity and the Ortha Nan Gaidheal. This passage is published in Easwaran’s spiritual anthologies, “God Makes the Rivers to Flow” and “Timeless Wisdom.” The audio recording is by Eknath Easwaran’s wife, Christine Easwaran.