A Morning Prayer
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8
To assist his congregation in prayer, Calvin published five prayers for use throughout the day. It was his pastoral effort to encourage his congregation to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Taking a cue from Calvin, I worked on a similar project this summer that stitches together significant portions of psalms and other Scriptures for my personal use in prayer. It is designed to be read slowly as the supplications allow for expansion in private prayer between the main sections. Since this is something of an experiment, I’ll begin by posting the first prayer for use at the beginning of the day.
A Morning Prayer
In the early morning, my God, I offer thanks to you with my whole heart,
awakening the dawn with your praise,
for you, my Maker and my Redeemer, have brought me safely to this new day.
Truly, your steadfast love never ceases, your mercies never come to an end,
they are new every morning—great is your faithfulness, O Lord.
Gracious Father, nothing is hidden from your sight,
I cannot cover my sins or conceal my faults from you.
My transgressions are a heavy burden; a burden too heavy to bear.
But you, O God, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, who laid down his life on my behalf,
have mercy on me and pardon my sins.
In your great compassion, you have multiplied your mercies to me, O Lord,
their number is beyond my knowledge.
My hope is set upon you, let me hear this morning of your steadfast love.
Satisfy my wandering heart in you, O God, that I may rejoice and be glad all my days.
Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
Because I am weak and prone to wander, teach me your way, O God, that I may walk in your truth.
Instruct me in the way I should go; let your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight today.
In all my trouble, I run to you, O God.
Keep me from all evil; steady my heart that I may trust you in all things.
Deliver me from my adversaries; bless those who curse me.
Give me grace to live peaceably with all people.
Strengthen your church, O God; sanctify us in your truth.
Grant us to live together in love that we may be a city set upon a hill—
a light shining in the darkness.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, let your glory cover the earth this day.
Show your work to your servant, display your glorious power to my children.
Teach them to hope in you, O God, enlarge their hearts to run in the way of your commandments.
Make your way known on the earth, your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God, let every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Make your face shine on your servant; let your favor be upon me, O God.
Open your hand to satisfy all my needs; fulfill the desires of my heart as I delight in you.
Establish the works of my hands as I offer them to you this day.
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; O my God, in you I trust.
Receive my prayers as I offer them to you in and through Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever, Amen.