Heavenly Father,

Create in me a new heart,
so that by walking as Jesus walked,
my character will become like His. 


Help me to be slow to speak, but quick to offer
understanding patience, and love. 
Keep my heart tender, always, I pray,
and grant me the ability to 
forgive those who have hurt me. 

Allow me not to rush through life blindly,
led by impulse, resentment or hurt feelings,
but slowly, never running ahead of you,
but walking beside you- 
matching my step with yours.

Touch my life, and the hearts of my loved ones,
so that we may be changed, may become kinder,
gentler to others; so that we may become the men
and women you created us to be.

I ask your blessing upon my life, my writings,
my relationships, and my spiritual life.
 
Fill in the hours, minutes and seconds
of this day with things that are best for me;
things that will make me a blessing to others. 
Direct my energies. Instruct my mind.

Grant me the honor of your presence
so that this day will not rob me of peace,
or discourage me because of its difficulties.

Grant me stillness within, so that I can rest
my eyes and  contemplate your goodness
 in the silence.
Be with me forever.
I love you Lord, with all my heart.

Gracious Father in heaven,

So often I get caught up in life, overwhelmed with the
darkness and evil and pain that exists in this world.
Sometimes it is hard to block it all out.

Remind me Lord, that not all is as it appears to be.
Behind all this darkness and evil, behind this pain and
sorrow in our world, a new day is coming-
 and soon.

Help me not waste the moments of my life,
 but to use them in uplifting and encouraging others. 
Help me remember the wisdom in
living just for today- the wisdom in remembering 
the meaning of my life on earth.
 Help me, I pray, to have clarity of vision,
 so that nothing in this world holds any attraction 
for me, so that my feet will not walk on crooked paths, 
nor my hands reach for unclean things.

Let me not walk through this world as though blind,
not seeing the homeless, hungry, friendless-
the hurting, sorrowful, desperate.
Touch my heart, O Lord. Make it more compassionate,
 more tender towards others. Let me not see their flaws 
of character yet remain blind to my own.

Just for today, grant me the necessary strength
and courage to do what must be done-
 without complaint or murmuring.
Help me do the necessary things with a grateful heart,
and not only because of today's blessings,
but for all that I have become,
and am still becoming,
through Jesus Christ.