Several years ago, a church member gave me an old copy of a Lutheran prayer book. I wasn’t used to following written prayers, but I started using it and found that it greatly enriched my prayer life. Each morning and evening, there was a different written prayer that I could say. It gave me new vocabulary and helped me think about how and what to pray for. While I don’t regularly use that little book anymore, I do pull it out from time to time and use it for a month or so.
I’d like to offer you an example of a morning prayer. This is the reading for Wednesday morning, week two of October. (It uses an older style of language, but I think you’ll understand it.)
Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my heart in this morning hour, sincerely grateful for the opportunities of another day. Bless me in what I do today that all may be acceptable to Thee. Grant me such success in my work as Thou knowest to be best for me. Keep me always mindful that all depends on my possessing Thine abundant grace and blessings.
Help me, I pray, to reflect in my life the infinite love with which Thou didst love me in Jesus Christ, my Savior. In all my dealing with my fellow men help me to love them as I love myself, and to do for them what I would have them do for me.
Make me strong to resist any temptation to take what does not rightfully belong to me. Give me the courage to suffer losses rather than to inflict them on others. Help me to realize that life consists not in the abundance of things which I possess, but rather in what I do with what I possess, whether much or little. Teach me to know that godliness with contentment is great gain and live accordingly.
In Jesus’ name I pray, and in His name I begin the tasks of this day. Amen (My Prayer Book, Concordia Publishing House, 1957)
I think this is a great prayer for starting the day. May your day be filled with God’s grace and mercy. “O Lord, hear my prayer.” (Psalm 143:1)