Rotterdam at twilight (Photo: Irene Bom)
May this prayer, inspired by those ancient words, give us words and inspiration as we to turn to God, our Gladsome Light, especially “in times of stress, fear, and grief, in times of blindness, temptation, danger, and perdition”.
Twenty-first Century Phos Hilaron
O God, who is light in the darkness,
we pray for those among us who in the night hours work their shifts,
or those who labor in places where light is dim.
Be for them and for us protection in the dark.
O God, who is the bright morning star,
we pray for those among us who grieve the loss of loved ones,
the tarnishing of innocence,
the failing of health,
the flight of security.
Be for them and for us a sure defense and the promise of a new day.
O God, who is sight to the blind,
we pray for those among us whose eyes are clouded,
who are blind in soul, mind, or body.
Be for them and for us both courage and sight.
O God, who is strength to the besieged,
we pray for those among us who are beset by temptation,
those who are in danger,
those whose enemies are close and whose help seems far away.
Be for them and for us a present fortress against our foes.
O God, who is salvation to the lost,
we pray for those among us who have never found your way,
or who, having found it, have strayed from your path.
Be for them and for us the beacon that guides safely home.
O God who is comfort to the fearful,
we pray for those among us who live in fear of threats real or imagined,
whose lives are torn by war,
whose thoughts are confused by mental illness,
whose souls and bodies are ravaged by abuse.
Be for them and for us consolation and surety against anxiety.
Give us wisdom, O God, to turn to you in times of stress, fear, and grief,
in times of blindness, temptation, danger, and perdition.
Grant us patience to wait for you,
and courage to be strong in your might,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
~ posted on the Brummhart Publishing website
Phos Hilaron in word and song
- Two versions of Phos Hilaron as a canticle, from the Church of England website.
- More versions of Phos Hilaron and some background and reflection from Mitchell Lewis’s website
- A video of the Cambridge Chorale singing Owain Park’s composition of the ancient Phos Hilaron (Hail, gladdening light) at Ely Cathedral in March 2018.
- A video of the song Phos Hilaron, as sung in the orthodox church, with english subtitles.
