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.