Vesper Light

From where the sun rises to where it sets, the name of the LORD is praised. —Psalm 113:3 NAB

(photo credit: Trevor Livezey)

What do we each think about as the light fades each day? The problems we face? Our to-do list for tomorrow? Do we take time to review the hours that have passed since sunrise? Do we make an effort to purposefully close out the day with our eyes on the Lord?

Vespers, also known as Evening Prayer, is practiced in some Christian traditions and is typically prayed around sunset to mark the closing of the day. Praying in this way helps to settle our minds and hearts in a faith-filled way.

The peaceful beauty of the sunset creates a fitting backdrop as we take some time to reflect upon the Lord and review our day.

Quote

“At the setting of the sun, when night comes on, we ought to pray that our rest may be without offense… giving thanks for the blessings of the day now past.”  

— St. Basil the Great, Longer Rules, Q. 37

Prayer

O Gracious Light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,

O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,

and our eyes behold the vesper light,

we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Want to go deeper? For the complete "Vesper Light" devotion, visit my Substack page where you will find:

• Interesting history about the above prayer

• A related thought

• A question for journaling

• PRISM™ Visio Divina

• Meditative music

Vesper Light (clip)

0:22

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