Dear God, direct my thoughts. Let me not have selfish, dishonest, nor self-seeking motives.

Grant me knowledge of your will for me. Let me have what I need to address all problems that arise.

Let me add into the stream of life today, O Lord. Let me not take but give.

Thy will, not mine, be done today, Lord.

(Letter #1317)

Dear God: O! I am too glum as I follow you. I prostrate myself before you. I view my trials as a crucible in which you refine me. Such a harsh view of my days.

Lord, can I rejoice in every small thing you send my way? Can I not gird myself for battle, but instead shed my armor and run unprotected before my enemies? Can I, indeed, see them as friends?

Lord, let me marvel at each difficulty you offer me. What will I be shown next, what miracle will you work?

Let me, Lord, greet you with enthusiasm. Let me run headlong into this day.

(Letter #1316)

Dear God, I am weary; send me strength. I worry and fret over how I will meet my obligations, how I will get it all done. So little time. So little energy.

Lord, let me have greater faith. Let me submit to you, as a trusting child. I will do what I can do. You will make all well.

I am so small. I fear even leaving my home. Lift me, Lord, raise my spirits. Set my feet on the correct path and stiffen my spine.

Power me, O Lord. I need you today.

(Letter #1315)

Dear God, the pathway is clear. Yet I hesitate. Why? Pride and sloth rivet me to the ground.

Lord, let me submit to your will for me, and act. Let me lean into this day.

(Letter #1314)

Dear God, I see so wrongly; take the veil from my eyes. I see problems where there are gifts, troubles where there are opportunities. Too many days, I imagine myself beset on all sides by enemies.

Lord, the truth is the opposite. You have showered me with gifts, you scatter new opportunities all around my path, you deliver me friend after friend.

If only I will see rightly, I can see and have joy here and now.

Let me see rightly.

(Letter #1313)

Dear God, what rules me? Where do I spend my time and attention? After what do I chase? For what do I long?

The answers are disappointing. I am ruled by so many selfish thoughts and feelings. I am ruled, in the end, by the acclaim of others – pursuing praise above all else.

Lord, grant me steadfastness.

The satisfactions of the outside world are false, and disappear like mist. I get the praise I seek and it is gone within moments. It leaves behind nothing.

Let me learn what is durable, Lord. Let me become closer to you, work harder for you, become more fearless for you. Let me discover the satisfaction of knowing I did my best to be your servant.

(Letter #1312)

Dear God, even as my behavior is correct, my motives are faulty. I inwardly wish more for myself than is my portion, I wish ill to befall those who hurt me, I wish for complete freedom without consequence.

Lord, seep into me and make my inner life clean. Let me become transparent so that all can see the beacon you have lit in my heart. It is obscured with dark intent – let these layers wear away and let me shine from inside to out. Let my intent to follow your will become equally as visible as my actions.

(Letter #1311)