A practice with the Night Pearl

We do not always need to pray the entire circuit of the Pearls of Life. Sometimes, taking only one Pearl and entering it deeply can be a moving and transformational practice. Here is a way for both children and adults to enter into the Night Pearl (www.svenskakyrkan.se).

THE NIGHT PEARL The Night Pearl is the black pearl, the fatigue, the pearl of sorrow and pain. It represents the heaviest and darkest moments of life.

To do FOR CHILDREN: Sometimes everything is pitch black. What will make you sad? Who comforts you? God is with you in what is difficult. God knows what it's like. Paint with dark colors. Look for broken things, bring out rubbish, milk cartons, toilet rolls. Put it in a box so that there will be room for something new.

FOR ADULTS: What do you want to say to God before the pearl of the Night? Paint with dark colors. Look for broken things, bring out rubbish, milk cartons, toilet rolls. Put it in a box so that there will be room for something new.

FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS: Sit in a dark room. Sit quietly in the dark for a while if you dare. Light a candle, God is with you in the difficult, God's presence is there. Add an angel if you have one, it symbolizes that we are never abandoned. Pray the prayer below.

Blessed be you, Christ, who before us walked the path of death and illuminated its darkness and sanctified our graves. Even there your right hand can grasp me, even there the light of eternity reaches. Amen. (Martin Lönnebo)