A Diary of Private Prayer

this prayer is the first morning prayer in a series of 30 which Matt and I have been reading most days here in Guate. I consider this book, A Diary of Private Prayer, one of those miraculous findings: several years ago a friend of mine, Camille, read to our Bible study group from this book and then later that very week I went to a used bookstore looking for it. The book store turned out to be completely chaotic and unorganized, you know the kind which are fun to visit but hard to find anything except by accident. Well, it was one of those and I was overwhelmed and just about to leave, when I nearly tripped over this very book lying on the floor right by the exit:: miraculous. and these prayers have blessed me as they have challenged and inspired me, so now I will share one:::


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Eternal Father of my soul, let my first thought today be of Thee, let my first impulse be to worship Thee, let my first speech be Thy name, let my first action be to kneel before Thee in prayer.

For Thy perfect wisdom and perfect goodness:
For the love wherewith Thou lovest mankind:
For the love wherewith Thou lovest me:
For the great and mysterious opportunity of my life:
For the indwelling of Thy Spirit in my heart:
For the sevenfold gifts of Thy Spirit:
I praise and worship Thee, O Lord.

Yet let me not, when this morning prayer is said, think my worship ended and spend the day in forgetfulness of Thee. Rather from these moments of quietness let light go forth, and joy, and power, that will remain with me through all the hours of the day;

Keeping me chaste in thought:
Keeping me temperate and truthful in speech:
Keeping me faithful and diligent in my work:
Keeping me humble in my estimation of myself:
Keeping me honorable and generous in my dealings with others:
Keeping me loyal to every hallowed memory of the past:
Keeping me mindful of my eternal destiny as a child of Thine.

O God, who hast been the Refuge of my fathers through many generations, be my Refuge today in every time and circumstance of need. Be my Guide through all that is dark and doubtful. Be my Guard against all that threatens my spirit's welfare. Be my Strength in time of testing. Gladden my heart with Thy peace; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.