David Adam

David Adam (1936—2000) is a British writer and priest who worked for three years underground as a coal miner before training for the priesthood. During his twenty plus years as a vicar in North Yorkshire he began writing prayers in the poetic Celtic vein as a way of encouraging his parishioners through, simple practice, toward deeper spirituality.

His first book of Celtic prayers, Edge of Glory (SPCK Publishing, 1985), gained instant popularity, and led to his numerous other books of prayers, and of meditations on such Celtic saints as Patrick, Brendan, Aidan, and Cuthbert. In 1989 he became a canon of York Minster. After this, David Adam served for 13 years as vicar on the holy island of Lindisfarne.

I first encountered the prayers of David Adams through his little chapbook Celtic Prayers (Tim Tiley Ltd, 2006) which I purchased in the picturesque church in the Cotswold village of Castle Combe. The following poem opens that book.

Prayer for Creation

God bless the Earth
and all living creatures.
God bless the Earth
and its rugged features.
God bless the Earth,
every ocean and sea.
God bless the Earth
and water’s clarity.
God bless the Earth,
its atmosphere and air.
God bless the Earth,
keep it in your care.
God bless the Earth
and all those who toil.
God bless the Earth
and its daily light.
God bless the Earth
by your great might.

Entry written by D.S. Martin. He is the author of six poetry collections including Angelicus (2021, Poiema/Cascade), plus three anthologies — available through Wipf & Stock. His new book The Role of the Moon, inspired by the Metaphysical Poets, is now available from Paraclete Press.