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Facing a day without fully recognizing our need of God is foolish. So, I’m sharing some morning prayers with you from a favorite devotional of mine by Dr. John Baillie. He has long gone on to glory, and his words have an old-fashioned sound to them, but they touch my heart with deep truth and I believe they will touch yours, as well.
So, here’s one of his morning prayers:
“O Thou who Thyself art everlasting Mercy, give me a tender heart today towards all those to whom the morning light brings less joy than it brings to me:
- Those in whom the pulse of life grows weak
- Those who must lie abed through all the sunny hours
- The blind, who are shut off from the light of day
- The overworked, who have no joy of leisure
- The unemployed, who have no joy of labour
- The bereaved, whose hearts and homes are desolate
And grant Thy mercy on them all…Let the Spirit of Him whose life was the light of men rule within my heart till eventide. Amen.”
Starting your day by remembering those worse off than you, by praying for them by name or in general, will help you see your day, your challenges, your troubles in a much different light. It takes you mind off yourself, and that is always a good thing. The more you think of others and the less you focus on your own situation, the happier and more peaceful you will be.
This is a good prayer to begin any day. I hope you’ll use it; add to it; make it your own. Let it touch your heart in such a way that your whole day is blessed because of this morning prayer. Obviously, we can and should pray at any time in any day, but there is a wonderful blessing that comes when you truly start your day with a prayer for that day. Try it!
