An Exercise of Ceaseless Intercession

In conjunction with today's intentional focus on thankfulness, I would like to propose a prayerful exercise I have been batting around for the past few days. In the coming weeks, as you find yourself walking down a neighborhood street, a city block, or through a bustling, holiday market, imagine yourself as a shinning, simmering thurible from which praises continually rise.
(For those who, like myself, didn't grow up in churches that used these, thuribles are the often ornately designed incense holders priests wave around during liturgical services. From them, a pleasing smoke pours upwards, which is symbolic of our prayers as the ascend towards the heavens).

This exercise can be seen as a variation on Brother Lawrence's famous concept of practicing ceaseless prayer. It's purpose can be manifold, but for me it helps as I try and fix my constant attention on the recognition of God's presence and cultivate a general posture of thankfulness for the blessings of life. As you walk, picture plumes of prayer pouring skywards from your body, permeating the area in which you pace with intercessions of peace, pleas for restoration, and thankful praises.

Trailside Magnificat

You, chanting in my eardrums, forever driving me forward, upwards and always—round the next bend, are the one who called me to this place.

As this crumbly path of rock rises beneath my feet, world without end, and my nerves are lulled to rest by a continual, gritty churning that processes like the ageless tides, you are here.

You are the taste of water from my canister, the frosty air that fills my lungs; I pull You in and rejoice.

My breath, rising like incense in this alpine air, wafts praises skyward.

The swirl of pinyon pines surrounding me and the bravura of building monsoon clouds in the distance all stand testament to Your presence.


“Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.”
-St. Patrick: 372 – 466CE


photo taken near Ouray, Colorado