Dear God, what I perceive as suffering is illusion. I awaken to worries and pressures: illusion. I anticipate negative consequences: illusion. I recall past hurts: illusion. In almost every case, I confuse discomfort and disappointment for something far worse.

Lord, let me bask in this realization, for it opens the door to true peace. I am alive and whole, with faith in you and therefore with purpose. All else is ephemera.

Lord, let me see clearly what is real. Use me as an instrument of light today. Let me bring love to the world. Let me help those around me. Blot out my incessant thoughts of self.

Let the seeking and doing of your will for me be my sole pursuit today.

(Letter #958)

Dear God, you shower me with gifts; there is abundance all around. Like an obstinate child I ignore them and believe myself impoverished. Where is that toy on which I had pinned my hopes?

Lord, let me open my eyes and see rightly. I live in a palace and there are riches strewn all around. The very definition of abundance.

As I step through the day, let each footfall bring me awareness of your gifts. Health. Family. Community. Love.

You shine down on the world and this is the source of life and love. Let me soak it in.

Let me do your will today. Show me where my foot should next fall.

(Letter #957)

Dear God, how can I act rightly today? Every moment brings with it a decision. I can be driven by selfish motivations, or I can seek your will. Let me be willing to do the latter.

Grant me knowledge of the right action as I face these choices. Grant me willingness to be the person you have intended me to be.

Thy will be done today.

(Letter #956)

Dear God, you move the levers of this world, direct the doings of each soul. Your will presides over all. When I consider the scope of this, your work in my life seems minor. Yet this is the realm in which I meet you: that of my day to day thoughts and actions.

The greatest power I have seen you visit upon the world is not some global feat; but it is in the inexorable improvement of my attitude.

You have taken me from ignorance and obstinance to awareness and willingness. Awareness of my shortcomings, awareness of my non-centrality. Awareness of my assets. Awareness, after all, of my place.

And you have delivered to me willingness. Willingness to improve, willingness to place others' welfare before my own. Willingness to work. Willingness, after all, to seek and to do your will.

This is the miracle, O Lord. That I seek you, even as the world and my selfishness tell me no. After all, yet I seek you.

Let me seek you today. Let me grow in my willingness to do so. Let me act as you would direct. Let me be grateful for the miracle of your dominion over me.

(Letter #955)