Anglo-Saxon Journey Prayer

Before going on a journey, an Anglo-Saxon Christian may have prayed this prayer.

The Rod mentioned at the beginning of the prayer was actually the Cross. Rod and rood are interchangeable words in Old English, and it was commonly used to describe the Cross.

You can hear me read the prayer here:

Video: An Anglo-Saxon Journey Prayer

Or you can read the prayer below:

I begird myself with this rod —
and commend me to the watchkeep of God
against the sticking of soreness

against the blows of pain
against dread of harshness
against the terrifying immensity

of everything loathsome
and against all that is hateful
that ventures into this country.

I incant this speeding charm
and wield this wand triumphant,
glib in tongue and deed —

It shall avail me—
neither hinder or obstruct me
nor can they vex me at all

never cast my spirit into fear—
yet the Almighty and his son
and the spirit of comfort cures me
worthy Lord of All Glories
just as I heed the Shaper of Heaven.

Abraham and Isaac and men like them,
Moses and Jacob and David and Joseph,
and Eve and Anna and Elizabeth,

Sarah and also Mary, the mother of Christ,
and also their brethren, Peter and Paul,
and also thousands of your angels.

I invoke grace for myself
against every fiend.
They bear me and ward me,

and spare my soul—
all of them holding me,
ruling me over,
steering my deeds.

Let hope for glory be mine,
hand over head,
stout in blessedness,
company of the victory-bold,
of angels bound to truth.

Bid all you with spirit light
that Matthew’s helmet be mine
and Mark’s mail-shirt—
lightweight, life-bold—

Luke be my sword,
sharp, keenly cutting,
John be my shield

garnished in glory,
the killing-spear of Seraphim.

I venture forth,
finding my friends,
every angelic profit,
precepts of the pious.

I ask the God of Victory,
for divine mercy,
a cupful of pleasant travel,

tranquil, light-footed—
winds upon the shore

I have learnt of these winds,
the growling ocean
ever nestling
against every foe.

I have encountered my friend
who I am granted to abide
by grace of the Almighty

locked fast against the hateful,
who keep my life in doubt—
established
into the blossoming of angels,

within the virtuous palm
of the heavenly realm
so long as I may be granted
to abide in this existence.

Amen