God Under My Roof: Celtic Songs & Blessings

by Esther de Waal

A beautiful collection of Irish prayers, blessings and poems from Esther De Waal
From birth to death, from dawn to dusk, from the dark of winter to the light of midsummer, for the Celtic peoples praying was part of the pattern of life. The prayers of household and farm and workplace were handed down from generation to generation in oral tradition.   Esther de Waal has brought together some of the most significant of these poems, blessings, prayers, and songs that enable us to touch the vivid sense of the presence of God that marks Celtic spirituality.   Praise for the Work of Esther de Waal&;Esther de Waal writes with perceptive insight about the beauty and richness of the Celtic Christian world, especially its poetic tradition, but without romanticizing it.&;Cintra Pemberton, O.S.H., author of Celtic Pilgrimages Then and Now    

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very pleasant little collection of prayers and songs from a small coastal community in Scotland. The prayers were originally collected by an anthropologist in the late nineteenth century; author de Waal relies heavily on that work and adds explanatory and exhortative comments. I enjoyed reading about how these folks found ways to pray their way through all the ordinary tasks of the day: rising, weaving, milking the cows, planting, going off on a journey, going to bed, etc. There was a beautiful sense of praise and intimacy with God in reading these poems. I hope to likewise sing and pray through the rhythm of my days. :)

[Jc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touched me deeply. It is a small volume but it is a priceless treasure in the history of art and spirituality expressed in Scottish Gaelic songs and prayers. These excellent English translations of ancient and traditional prayers in song strike the reader to the depths of the heart. It is an excellent and precious volume of Great cultural and spiritual significance. Highly recommended!

[Geoffrey Schmitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deborah Brunt spent twenty years meditating on the book of Esther. The result is prophetic in the sense of Forth telling, as in "Thus Saith the Lord it's time to get serious for such a time as this" and "watch out for Narcissist everywhere, especially in the church". AND most importantly she Blesses the reader with the Grace cycle, pouring down, spreading out, rising up in Glory to the Lord. Don't read this book of you aren't ready to be challenged. Do read it if you're ready for some serious self examination, after all repentance comes before a glimpse of The Kingdom.