Dear God, my worries are so trivial, yet they loom so large. I am faced with a number of tasks and I am fearful I will not complete them. If I examine this list it is minor, filled with trivia. Yet my sense of anxiety is large. It is all out of proportion.

Lord, let me learn. My reactions are almost always more intense than warranted. I overreact, both negatively and positively. Grant me improvement of my emotions. Let me not live in a state of excitement. Anger, fear, elation, mania. The intensity of these feelings is unsupportable. Let me have the gift of serenity – a measured emotional life. Let my faith in you provide an inner calm in the face of such intensity.

Let me have sufficient faith that my fear dissipates, and my giddiness tempers. These are outgrowths of my emphasis on self. Burn it away, and leave behind a quiet open space.

Let me walk slowly through my day, without worry and bother. Let me react proportionately. Let me quietly listen for your instructions.

Slow me down, O Lord. Let me do your will.

(Letter #847)

Dear God, let me be a source of relief and ease for those around me, both with friends, and those who vex me or even see me as an enemy. Where I am frustrated, let me not just inwardly mouth blessings for them but let me demonstrate your love by taking some concrete action in their favor. Let me not pridefully decide who does and does not deserve good will: but let me convey your love to all indiscriminately.

In circumstances of confusion, let me be a calm presence, an eyr of the storm. This is your power made real on this earth: love and ease flowing from one of your children to another.

Lord, grant me the willingness to demonstrate love even when bitter.

Thy will be done.

(Letter #846)

Dear God, I am worried and frightened this morning. I am scheduled to give a presentation. Have I prepared enough? I am so fearful of what people will think and how they will respond.

Lord, these fears are born of self-sufficiency. I incorrectly see the task as putting on a performance. But I have learned that the proper way to see my role is as a helper. How can I try to be a source of aid and comfort to those around me?

Lord, take away this focus on my self. Let me look outward, seeking how best I can be of service. My comfort doesn’t matter. My fearfulness doesn’t matter. All that matters is that I try to fulfill your will.

Let me trust that you are preparing the way. Let me have willingness to perform any task, under any conditions, that you may require.

Let me willingly go where you would guide me. Let me see your guidance.

(Letter #845)

Dear God, my prayers to you are in words. But it is so easy to speak as I believe I ought; words are of so little value. Let my words reflect my heart, O Lord. Let my actions prove my faith in you. What would you have me do? Let me pursue this doggedly.

Just as my most honest prayer will not be in words but in deeds, neither should I believe you will speak to me in language. You guide me, Lord, quietly and firmly, through events. Let me learn to see your hand in things. Let me watch for you.

Lord, let your power flow through me, your life, your energy. Let me bear fruit for others. Let me do your work without fanfare and without trying to be noticed. The tree does not seek praise for the fruit it delivers.

Lord, thy will be done. Give me my daily bread. Forgive me my trespasses. Deliver me from evil. These are the things you teach to be elements of a prayerful life.

Let me do your will today! Grant me guidance and energy to do it. Burn away my words and leave behind truth.

(Letter #844)