Beginning Each New Day with Prayer

In Monday’s post, I shared a prayerful poem I wrote several years ago entitled Your Answer Starts with Prayer. Today, I would like to give you a prayer to help begin each new day. The Morning Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (13th Century mystic and founder of the Catholic order of Franciscans) is a favorite of mine.

The photo on which I’ve printed this prayer was taken by my husband when we visited Israel a few years ago. We rose early that morning to watch the sun rise over the Sea of Galilee. It’s a site I will always remember. 

Some words are timeless. This is especially true of those words found in Scripture. Also, expressions found in some of the ancient words penned by men and women who were deeply aligned with the heart of God, continue to speak truth to us today even though the world in which we live is always changing.

In light of that, here again are the words of St. Francis’ morning prayer with an extra line I have added:

Lord,

Help me to live this day, quietly, easily.

To lean upon Thy great strength, trustfully, restfully.

To wait for the unfolding of Thy will, patiently, serenely,

To meet others, peacefully, joyously.

To face tomorrow, confidently, courageously.

And, God of Shalom, please show the way for peace in Israel and the war-ravaged regions surrounding it.

Amen

Blessings on your journey through today and beyond,

---