I came across a snippet of this prayer while reading a book. I looked it up and found what I believe is the complete version. The words really struck me and reminded me a lot of the Psalms. I’m passing on the prayer to anyone who needs encouragement and prayer themselves. Pass it forward, if you’d like.
To read more about Dietrich Bonhoffer, click here. Mr. Bonhoffer coined the term “cheap grace.” One day I will read a biography on the man. And I may try to memorize the below and/or put it in my writing room.
Mr. Bonhoffer died in a concentration camp during the Holocaust. He was a man who knew and lived St. Paul’s famous words: “To live is Christ, to die is gain.” Meditate, chew and listen.
Morning Prayer For Fellow-Prisoners
O God, early in the morning I cry to you.
Help me to pray
And to concentrate my thoughts on you;
I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me.
O Heavenly Father,
I praise and thank you
For rest in the night;
I praise and thank you for this new day;
I praise and thank you for all your goodness
and faithfulness throughout my life.
You have granted me many blessings;
Now let me also accept what is hard from your hand.
You will lay on me no more than I can bear.
You make all things work together for good for your children.
Lord Jesus Christ,
You were poor and in distress, a captive and forsaken as I am.
You know all man’s troubles;
You abide with me when all men fail me;
You remember and seek me;
It is your will that I should know you and turn to you.
Lord, I hear your call and follow;
Help me.
O Holy Spirit,
Give me faith that will protect me
from despair, from passions, and from vice;
Give me such love for God and men
as will blot out all hatred and bitterness;
Give me the hope that will deliver me
from fear and faint-heartedness.
Amen.
Peregrine Arc 