Some of you may recognize the first words to the theme song of the 1971 production, Godspell. It is taken from the Prayer of St. Richard written in the 13th Century when he was Bishop of Chichester, England.
The song version captures the awareness of the daily need to pray, our daily forgetfulness, and the daily reminder of the relationally into which God invites:
Day by Day
Dear Lord of Thee, three things I pray,
To see Thee more clearly,
Love Thee more dearly,
Follow Thee more nearly,
Day by Day.
Born in 1197 of a land-owning, farming family, he went on to study in Oxford. After the death of his father, “he returned home to help run the estate but prosperity meant that he could soon pursue his calling from God and returned to Oxford, where he became the earliest Doctor of Canon Law. He may also have travelled to study at Paris and Bologna, both leading centres of theology… (source: the Parish of Oystermouth).
Here is the Prayer of St Richard written in the 13th Century when Richard of Wyche was Bishop of Chichester:
Thanks be to Thee, my Lord Jesus Christ
For all the benefits Thou hast given me,
For all the pains and insults Thou hast borne for me.O most merciful Redeemer, friend and brother,
May I know Thee more clearly,
Love Thee more dearly,
Follow Thee more nearly.
