Dear God, I stand in my own way. I am the one who blocks me from being useful to others, from being responsible, from loving all. My shortcomings and failings – my selfishness and judgment. My pride.

Lord, let me accept my own negative role. I create the very conditions I seek to cure, I am my own source of chaos and negativity.

Lord, let me recognize my shortcomings. Let me act in contrary ways. Let me have the presence of mind and self awareness to see you when I am being prideful, selfish, judgmental, arrogant, irresponsible, and envious.

Let me instead act as if I had the virtues I seek: humility, compassion, responsibility, love. Let me, indeed, love all those around me – not just in theory but in practice. Show me how to be better today. Let me be willing to do those things you show.

(Letter #1027)

Dear God, let me not have an idle mind today. Let me fill it with thoughts of faith, with positive ideas.

I feel beset with negative viewpoints all around, and I myself contribute to this through the thoughts I pursue, the conversations in which I take part, the inner dialogue I maintain.

Lord, I cannot wait passively to be struck faithful. You have granted me, your servant and creature, a mind. I can direct my thinking towards love, or towards those complaints and battles that lead, ultimately, to hate. I know well whither those roads go.

Lord, let me consciously choose to be a being of love today. Let me turn away from frustration, judgment, and complaint – mindful of how poisonous those things are to me. Let me acknowledge my own role in my inner life, and root out the things that make me misshapen in outlook.

Let me spread love.

(Letter #1026)

Dear God, when I ask, you visit me and deliver your gifts. But I must be driven by difficulty and woe before I will seek them. I attempt every means to overcome trying circumstances, and only after exhausting them do I turn to what experience and faith tell me is the way: I ask for your aid.

Lord, why is this my last resort? Deliver me from my stubborn self-sufficiency. I am like a cross child, shoving away the help anyone can see I need, in favor of maintaining my illusion of independence.

Let me awaken to my weakness, and come to know and accept the aid you provide without requiring anything other than that I ask.

Let me ask.

(Letter #1025)

Dear God, today, in all small things, let me see the working of your will and give thanks for it. When minor inconveniences appear, let me look past them to see your hand. If I face a large setback let me have gratitude for whatever way this will turn out to be your providential hand saving me.

Every step, every act, every word – your will enacted. Let me therefore rejoice no matter the circumstances, for they all spring from you.

Lord, let me have gratitude today. Let this be my work: to show it under all conditions. Let me be enthusiastic that your will come to pass, and that I have a hand in helping it along.

Thank you, my Lord.

(Letter #1024)