Oh God, you called your servant Abraham from Ur of the Chaldeans,
watching over him in all his wanderings,
and guided the Hebrew people as they crossed the desert.
Guard this child of yours who, for love of your Name,
makes a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
Be my companion on the way,
my guide at the crossroads,
my strength in weariness,
my protection in danger,
my stability in the rain and mud,*
my shelter on the path,
my shade in the heat,
my light in darkness,
my comfort in discouragement,
and the firmness of my intentions.
Through your guidance, may I arrive safely at the end of my journey and,
enriched with grace and virtue, return to my home filled with lasting joy.
Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you,
a heart to seek you,
love to be like you,
wisdom to find you,
conduct pleasing to you,
faithful perseverance in waiting for you,
and a hope of finally embracing you. Amen.
I raise my eyes toward the mountains. From whence shall come my help? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip nor your guardian to sleep. Behold, the guardian of Israel never slumbers nor sleeps. The Lord is your guardian; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. By day, the sun will not strike you, nor the moon by night. The Lord will guard you from all evil; he will guard your soul. The Lord will guard your coming and going both now and forever.
We are not in control.
We are not in a hurry.
We walk in faith and hope.
We greet everyone we meet with peace.
We take only what we’re given.
As I make my way, just today, may I put away fear and worry,
may I avoid aggravation and distress,
may I move quickly past irritation with others.
As I make my way, just today, may I choose openness to what lays ahead,
may I notice the small beautiful things around me,
may I be moved by hills and mountains, and green growing things.
As I make my way, just today, may I welcome the companionship of another,
may I listen with an open heart,
may I speak with gentleness and kindness.
As I make my way, just today, may I walk with you, Lord,
may I hear your voice in my conscience, and in your created world,
may I worship you throughout the quiet moments of the day.
From ingratitude towards hospitaleros, waiters and walkers,
from a demanding spirit,
from self-righteousness,
free me, Oh Lord!
From a competitive spirit,
from comparisons with another,
from impatience,
free me, Oh Lord!
From judgments of others,
from anger with late arrivers and early risers,
from aggravation with snorers,
free me, Oh Lord!
From self-absorption,
from presumption of superiority,
from fear of others’ differences,
free me, Oh Lord!
From fear of the unknown,
from clinging to the familiar and the homesickness it engenders,
from reluctance to engage with strangers,
free me, Oh Lord!
From a life lived unconscious of your precious presence,
from all that is joyless and lacking your Spirit,
from everything that keeps me from feeling your love for me,
free me, Oh Lord!
If I could live today’s precious seconds to the very full, oh Lord,
guide me into a wide embrace of all today has to offer!
If I could taste something new, hear something faint, spy a meaningful but small detail, oh Lord,
open me to full use of my senses!
If there might be an adventure today, oh Lord,
help me to find it!
If a new friendship could start between me and another today, oh Lord,
grant me the generosity to both engage and receive it!
If the chance to aid another should intrude on my journey, oh Lord,
grant me the Good Samaritan’s generous spirit!
Above all, if opportunities for encountering You come my way today, oh Lord,
help me not to miss them!
May I see the arrows and scallops that guide my steps today.
But if I miss the arrows, may the unintended steps lead to unplanned graces.
May my companions and I find the needful balance for respectful listening and graced silence today.
But if I find that I offend another, may I humbly and quickly seek pardon.
May there be no blisters or aches from my shoes and backpack today.
But if my body signals distress, grant me the wisdom of recognizing it, and the means to ease it.
May there be the nourishment, the cafés, and the springs I need to provide myself sustenance.
But if there are greater than desired distances between refreshments, grant me gratitude for the general plenty of my life.
May there be ample shade and abundant cool breezes to ease my passing.
But if the sun beats with intensity and the air turn either humid or bone-dry, unite my spirit willingly with the great multitude who labor daily in the sun and rain.
May my rest stops be restorative, my sleep tonight deep and restful.
But if flies beset me, and snorers and rustling packers disturb me, guide me away from dead-ends of resentment and aggravation.
May my night’s dwelling be ready for me when I arrive.
But if I need to walk farther than planned, or wait upon the pressing needs of others, grant me a patient, thankful spirit.
May no difficulty separate me from my neighbor, nor from You.
May there be a sufficiency for today’s needs.
May there be gratitude in my heart.
For my waking and rising,
for my cleansing and clothing,
for my fast breaking,
I praise you.
For the coming of light and sun,
for the day’s first steps and arrows,
for the morning’s strength,
I praise you.
For the refreshment of springs and cafes,
for the chatter of friends,
for the breaks in the shade,
I praise you.
For the level ground and smooth paths,
for the challenge of inclines and declines,
for the views from the heights,
I praise you.
For the picnics and pilgrim menus,
for the menu del dia and tapas,
for the free flowing water (and wine),
I praise you.
For the arrival, at last, and welcome,
for the cleansing of bodies and clothes,
for the afternoon’s adventures and naps,
I praise you.
For the gathering of pilgrims at the table,
for the shared life of the journey,
for your presence on the Way,
I praise you.
For the end of preparations for tomorrow,
for a comfortable bed,
for sleep, at last,
I praise you.
Oh Lord, I am weighed down;
I am distressed.
Hear my humble prayer,
and help me heal,
aid my anguish,
comfort these feet and knees and shins and tendons and shoulders,
and mend me on this journey
Hear my humble prayer,
and cleanse my memories,
free me from my past,
remove the millstones of regret encumbering my heart,
and unburden me on this journey.
Hear my humble prayer,
and reconcile me to those who have hurt me,
open my heart to understanding,
return my affection for family and friends,
and restore me on this journey.
Hear my humble prayer,
and set me free from deep resentments,
liberate me from sleepless, anguished nights,
quench my thirst for retribution,
and free me on this journey.
Hear my humble prayer,
and guide me carefully through letting go,
of the memories that haunt, of the relationships that poisoned, of my own grievous mistakes,
move me out of my broken past,
to live with You in the present moment.
Hear my humble prayer,
and give lightness to my steps,
grant speed to my strides,
fill my empty spaces with your presence,
and give me joy, at last, on this journey.
