Dear God, in this little knot of family and fellows surrounding me, let me see the outlines of your face. In the coincidence that works in favor of someone I love, let me see the shadow of your hand. In the words spoken to me that remind me of my purpose or correct my wrong thinking, let me hear the echo of your voice.

Lord, you are here with me everywhere. Let me allow myself to recognize this. Let me point it out to my fellows that they, too, may see your face — so close that your breath may be felt on the nape of our necks.

(Letter #1405)

Dear God, the terror I feel as I anticipate the day’s events is out of all proportion to reality.

I fear I will be assailed – in truth I rarely am ever even gently rebuked. I fear I will be frantically busy – in truth my duties are always manageable. I fear I will not know what to say or do – in truth, Lord, you have ever guided me.

God, let me see the reality of my day through this haze of worry. My fears are the workings of pride: by over dramatizing my fears I apear to myself more important than I am. These feared outcomes are the pretend catastrophes of a tragic figure.

Lord, let this drama slip away. Let my day be one of simple work, loving effort. Let the simplicity of the day drip like honey over these churning emotions, soothing my thinking and attitudes. Take away the pride makes me see my life as dramatic, let it be replaced by the simple desire to do your will.

(Letter #1404)

Dear God, I come to you, draw near to you, seek you. Some days with single purpose, some days grudgingly, some days distracted. There you always are, and if I but make the effort, you draw near to me in return.

Even in my least worshipful states, full of self and bile, yet you love me enough to be a balm. If only I seek.

Let me draw near to you today, dear Lord.

(Letter #1403)

Dear God, in the quiet and dark hours, before dawn, I sit. I ready myself to greet this day. My attitude has not yet formed. Am I eager, or filled with dread? Joyous or weary?

This uncertainty is potential. The path of the day will be set by my own internal attitude. Yet I cling to the illusion that my feelings arise out of conditions. In this way I hobble myself.

Lord, let me see the truth: I can stand erect whenever I please. Let me not crawl today.

(Letter #1402)

Dear God, I wait and I wait for conditions to improve, for joy to arrive, to become fulfilled, to succeed. I judge each dawn by these measures – Will today be the day? I wonder as I reflect.

Lord: let me live today knowing that all my dreams have already come true. I have but to recognize how.

I have already succeeded, I am already fulfilled, I already have joy. You have made me perfectly suited to these conditions, here and now.

I was made for this day, O Lord. Let me run towards it, laughing with abandon.

(Letter #1401)

Dear God, even in the midst of my own gloom, let me shine as a beacon for others today. Troubles press; let me see them for the trivial matters they are. Let me see how futile are my cares. Let me recognize all these opportunities to become useful that litter my day.

Whom, dear Lord, shall I lift up today?

Let me welcome all strangers, rub balm upon the wounds of my fellows, cheer the sullen. O let me spread laughter throughout the crowds of my frightened brothers and sisters.

Let me, Lord, become useful.

(Letter #1400)

Dear God, let me be the best version of myself today.

Steer me away from idleness, self-absorption, selfishness, resentment, fear. Let them not set their hooks into me. Let grow in me, instead, their opposites. Grant me industry, concern for others, humility, compassion, faith.

I cannot shut out the shadows; only growing light can dispel the dark. Lord, let light grow in my life, moment to moment, here and now.

(Letter #1399)