Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.
(Traditional children's nighttime prayer.)

As I waken from my sleep
This brand new day of Yours I greet.
Safe You've kept me through the night
I'll serve You now with all my might.
(Companion children's morning prayer by Karen Langford Brown)

Gracious God, my heart renew,
Make my spirit right and true;
Cast me not away from Thee,
Let Thy Spirit dwell in me;
Thy salvation's joy impart,
Steadfast make my willing heart.
(The Psalter, 1912)

 

Brother Lawrence

A little lifting up of the heart suffices; a little rememberance of God, one act of inward worship, through upon a march and sword in hand, are prayers which, however short, are nevertheless very acceptable to God; and far from lessening a soldier's courage, they best serve to fortify it.

Keep my thoughts on the new possibilities which You have opened for me.  (Food For Thought, 25 April)

Give me the grace to see You in all things.

Holy Spirit, grant me the bravery to face failure, risk and change.  Remind me that You are always here for me.  (Three Minutes a Day, Vol. 37, 17 April)

Lord Jesus, grant me good health and a positive outlook.  (Three Minutes a Day, Vol. 37, 21 May)

I ask for the help of my Higher Power in making my little victories into bigger ones by living each day as well as I can, for myself and everyone I encounter.  (One Day At a Time in Al-Anon, 1 April)

Please help me get back on track.  (Carol L. Fitzpatrick, Daily Wisdom for Women, 10 May)

By Thy grace, protect me from gluttony.  (Food For Thought, 14 April)

Help me let go of feeling excessively responsible for those around me.  (Melody Beattie, The Language of Letting Go, 17 April)

Help me shed bad habits.

I need the grace of self-control.  (Good News, Day by Day, 25 April)

 

Lord, take from my thought all ill will, grudges, hates, jealousies.  (Norman Vincent Peale, Positive Thinking for Every Day of the Year, 14 Apr)

Independence Day

Today Americans celebrate the birth of the United States, a nation that has traditionally allowed people to practice religion freely.  What does it mean to be openly Christian?  Does freedom of religious expression make any difference in the way you live?

Prayer:  God, thank you for the ideal of religious freedom.  May I use this right to openly spread the Good News through my words and my way of living. (Good News Day by Day, 4 July)