Dear God, I cannot see the future. Rather than fill me with dread, this should be cause for joy. What surprises are in store for me today? Let me please wonder this as a small child wonders with their parent has planned for them. Expectant and eager.

Lord, let me have enthusiasm for this day ahead. No matter what plans I have or how routine my agenda, let me view everything that transpires as a joyous surprise. Each interaction is an opportunity to provide benefit for others.

I am taught that, in order to maintain these spiritual gifts, I must give them away. When I give away the gifts you have showered upon me, I am helping all. I must turn none away.

This can be an uncomfortable attitude for me to take. Does everyone deserve my good will? Does everyone deserve your gifts? Of course the answer is yes – even those I may despise. Lord, let me cheerfully have a kind and giving attitude in every setting today.

Let me shine your light.

(msg811)

Dear God, I awaken with fears about the tasks I must perform today. What am I worried about? When I closely examine it, I find that I am worried about what people will think of me. I am worried that I may fail, and my status in the eyes of others may diminish. This implies that I see all of society as ranked, from lowest to high – and that I am desperate to maintain the rung I am on.

Dear Lord, what an impoverished view of humanity. Please release me from this false understanding. Let me see all of your children, those who are vexing as well as those whom I admire, as equal. Above all, let me not strive to get ahead nor to rise, for the pursuit of success blocks me from you.

God, let me see all tasks as equally worthy, for they come from you. Let me seek to perform my duties with quiet craftsmanship, satisfied in the knowledge of the effort and care that go into the work – work which is often not on display. The cabinetmaker’s finest achievements are hidden deep within the piece he builds.

Let my work for you, Lord, have outward simplicity, and inner quality.

(msg810)

Dear God, as I tend my relationship with you, I have a more frequent understanding of how to respond to events in the world. This opens the door to hasty and ill-considered action, as I pridefully believe I somehow have a direct line to your will.

The more certain I feel, the more I ought to pause to discern your voice and guidance. The action that was correct yesterday may not be so today.

Lord, let me be willing to seek humility. Let me not be filled with pride and ego. It is such a small step from having a conscious contact with you, to becoming a zealot or crusader.

God, grant me uncertainty. Let me see it, when it comes, as a gift. Uncertainty causes me to pause, and in that space let me be willing to hear your quiet leading.

Without your guidance, I so easily fall into error and selfish behavior. Let me remain small and powerless, taking your hand like a child.

(msg809)

Dear God, I sit here, in this room, feeling and noticing every physical sensation I am able. The ground under the soles of my feet. The cushion pressing against my lower back. The expanse of my ribs as I breathe. The gurgle of the coffee maker. The tick of the clock.

I am alive, present in this body in this space. Lord, this is your gift to me. This body is not mine but yours, an instrument with which you act in this world. My highest joy is to become ready for your use.

The day stretches before me with few obligations. You grant me the freedom to fill it with selfish trivia, or with industry. Let me have the willingness to choose the latter. Let me abandon myself to you fully today, with great joy and without reservation.

Let me be your trusted instrument today.

(Msg808)

Dear God, my mind swirls with thoughts about how I will or should handle problems that I face, how I will respond to events, how I will get things done. My self-centered mind sees me as the prime mover. But this is illusion. My role is not to overcome obstacles, but instead to simply play my part, the one ordained and designed by you.

God, fill me with willingness to do your will today. My experience has been that, if I expend effort in truly seeking and discerning your guidance, that I have unlimited stores of motive power. The more I help others in your name, the more energy I have.

What a glorious, ever-renewable resource is your love! Yours is the cup that never empties. When my energy and ability are depleted, it typically means I am pursuing my own selfish ends. My energy wanes. When I pursue your will, I find that I never tire.

Let me seek and do your will today.

(msg807)

Dear God, let me be present before you. I set aside this time to seek you; let me not undercut this intention by distracting myself.

What tasks would you have me do today, O Lord? I worry they may be beyond me. But, in truth, I have never been unequal to any of your burdens. Instead, if I am honest with myself, I find that you place no demands on me whatsoever.

You offer opportunity for me to draw near to you. I take this opportunity, or I do not. Even when I stray far from your presence, you are patient, lovingly waiting for my return and you never spurn me when I finally come to myself.

What a kind and loving friend you are! You are no taskmaster.

Let me reflect your love in some small way to those around me today. Let me reject no one’s humanity.

God, grant me the willingness to see you before me, not just in this secret place of prayer but in everyday times as well. Let me be awake to you, unbound by trance, and undistracted by self.

(msg806)

Dear God, even in the midst of distraction and worry, you are present. Even among what I perceive as troubles, your influence is there, underneath it all. It is my incorrect perceptions that separate me from you. I believe you to be distant, and I struggle to feel near to you. But you are right next to me.

I am distracted this morning, thinking about self. I cannot simply will myself to do otherwise – I need your presence to crowd out all these frantic, busy thoughts. God, let me please center my mind on you. Let me expend my energies properly: in seeking and doing your will.

I may not succeed in this, but in the seeking I will become more aware of your presence, and more willing to act as you would have me.

Let me do your will today.

(msg805)

Dear God, I awaken anxious for what the day will bring, facing a number of tasks. I am scared that I will do poorly – or more accurately, that others will judge that I have done poorly. Lord, let me see these fears, these constant companions, for what they are: manifestations of self and ego. Relieve me of this self-regard.

God, let me please view every task today as a special gift from you, designed to provide the means to be of service. Let me do my best as a child would. Let me place service to others before satisfaction of my own desires.

God, let me do your will today. Show me the next right thing. Let me be willing to do it.

(msg804)