Morning Prayer - - Calvin

John Calvin: Morning Prayer

My GOD, my Father and Preserver, by Your goodness You have watched over me during the past night. You have granted me a new day of life. Please grant also that I may spend it in the worship and service of Your most holy deity.

Let me not think, or say, or do anything that does not serve Your purpose or show my submission to Your will. May all my actions aim at Your glory and the salvation of my friends, while they learn by my example to serve You.

As You are giving light to this world to support external life by the rays of the sun, so enlighten my mind by Your Spirit, that He may guide me in the way of Your righteousness. To whatever purpose I apply my mind, may my goal be Your honor and service.

May I expect all happiness from Your grace and goodness only. Let me not do anything that is not pleasing to You.

Grant also, that while I labor to preserve my life, and work for my food and clothing, I may raise my mind above them to the blessed and heavenly life which You have promised to Your children.

Please show Yourself to me as the protector of my soul as well as my body. Strengthen and fortify me against all the assaults of the devil. Deliver me from all the dangers that continually beset us in this life.

It is not enough to have begun with You, Lord, unless I also persevere. I therefore beg You, O Lord, not just to be my guide and director for this day, but to keep me under Your protection to the end of my life. May I live my whole life under Your superintendence.

As I ought to make progress, please add daily more and more to the gifts of Your grace. Do this until I am attached to Your Son Jesus Christ, whom we justly regard as the true Sun, shining constantly in our minds.

Lord, Your mercy is infinite. You promise to forgive and forget our sins when we call on You in sincerity. In this way I will gain Your great and varied blessings.

Grant that I may hear Your voice in the morning, since I have hoped in You. Show me the way in which I should walk, since I trust You with my soul and life. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, I have fled to You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. Let Your good Spirit conduct me to the land of uprightness.