The things you run into in my line of work

Quick post from the work front: I'm writing a letter declining (for the second time) a particular play. I paged through the first few scenes to make sure I was remembering the play correctly, and found this prayer in a bit of dialogue between two central characters. The prayer is drawn from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church, and since I like it, I thought I'd post it.

O Lord, support us all day long until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last.

Part of what I like about this prayer is its reference to universals, with little interruption by religious doctrine. Who doesn't long for a peaceful end to a busy or trying day? Who doesn't long for security in sleep, and peace at the last when the longest sleep comes?

It also resonates nicely with my recent experience of drinking scotch on the companion bloggers' screened-in porch one evening earlier this summer. Since one of the companion bloggers is a staff singer at an Episcopal cathedral, the resonance is strengthened.