Monday Morning Encouragement

Good morning friends! I've been trying to take some time lately to have more extended quiet time with the Lord (okay, I tried red once this weekend...). For a talker like me, the idea of being still and having enough to focus on for multiple hours is daunting - what do I think about? what happens if I run out of things to say? One thing that was extremely centering for me is using other people's prayers - be it psalms or this prayer of thanksgiving from the Book of Common Prayer below. Nothing like the words of some wiser Christians to help me see important aspects of God's character to meditate on. This prayer below really struck me this weekend and so I wanted to share. Enjoy, and happy Monday!

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,

we thine unworthy servants

do give thee most humble and hearty thanks

for all thy goodness and loving-kindness

to us and to all men.

We bless thee for our creation, preservation,

and all the blessings of this life;

but above all for thine inestimable love

in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;

for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.

And, we beseech thee,

give us that due sense of all thy mercies,

that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful;

and that we show forth thy praise,

not only with our lips, but in our lives,

by giving up ourselves to thy service,

and by walking before thee

in holiness and righteousness all our days;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

to whom, with thee and the Holy Spirit,

be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.