January 29, 2010

A morning prayer

John Baille was a theologian from Scotland who served as a minister of the Church of Scotland. He wrote a very moving book entitled "A Diary of Private Prayer", published in 1936. This prayer is a moving example taken from his book.

O God, ever blessed, who hast given me the night for rest and the day for labour and service, grant that the refreshing sleep of the night now past may be turned to Thy greater glory in the life of the day now before me. Let it breed no slothfulness within me, but rather send me to more diligent action and more willing obedience.


Teach me, O God, so to use all the circumstances of my life today that they may bring forth in me the fruits of holiness rather than the fruits of sin.


Let me use disappointment as material for patience:
Let me use success as material for thankfulness:
Let me use suspense as material for perseverance:
Let me use danger as material for courage:
Let me use reproach as material for longsuffering:
Let me use praise as material for humility:
Let me use pleasure as material for temperance:
Let me use pains as material for endurance.


O Lord Jesus Christ, who for the joy that was set before Thee didst endure the Cross, despising the shame, and art now set down at the right hand of the throne of God, let me consider Thee who didst endure such contradiction of sinners against Thyself, lest I be wearied and faint in my mind.


Holy God, I would remember before Thee all my friends and those of my own household, beseeching Thee that in Thy great love Thou wouldst keep them also free from sin, controlling all their deeds and this day in accordance with Thy most perfect will.


Amen

- John Baille, Scottish theologian
1886 – 1960          


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