MORNING GLORY 11
This is another day, O Lord.
I know not what it will bring forth,
but make me ready, Lord,
for whatever it may be.
If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely.
If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly.
If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently.
And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly.
Make these words more than words,
and give me the Spirit of Jesus.
Amen.
-The Book of Common Prayer (1549)
I read this prayer in my email inbox late last week. My church was announcing cancellation of in-person services until further notice due to COVID-19. But what caught my attention more than anything was a prayer from The Book of Common Prayer included in the email — a morning prayer; a morning glory to give to God. In the dawn of days we cannot trace, we wake with the comfort of Christ. He makes us ready for whatever comes our way.
These words breathe renewed life not only in response to the pandemic our world is facing, but in my own daily challenges too. From business growing pains to walking into the unknown, I know these words are for me. Read this prayer again. How could your day and your perspective change if you made these words your prayer every morning?
I wanted to know more about The Book of Common Prayer; maybe even order one online. So I googled, but didn’t get far before other tasks and work distracted my attention. As usual. But later that afternoon as I walked through my local favorite antique store, a small white book with a gold cross on the cover caught my eye. I picked it up and read the small gold letters on the spine…The Book of Common Prayer (!!) No joke, friends. It was right there in front of me.
Page 461 reads the prayer, In The Morning, from my church's email. The Lord never ceases to amaze me. His timing and provision are always right on time.
This book has three ribbon bookmarks. I opened to the first one and read Psalm 119:89-90 on the page.
“O Lord, Your word is everlasting; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness remains from one generation to another; You established the earth, and it abides.”
The phrases about standing firm and abiding have been anthems — sacred echoes, as a friend once told me — this year for me and my company. And here they are again on this bookmarked page. In a season of great unknown, God is our firm foundation, set in the heavens. His faithfulness remains steadfast. He weaves us together, hemming us closely to Him. My prayer is to abide in Him through every change. He is preparing a way through the wilderness! We can stand firmly in His strength.
In the coming weeks of Morning Glory posts here on the blog, I will be sharing more prayers from The Book of Common Prayer and my thoughts along the way. In the midst of unknown, we can trade up from fear and choose faith. Come along!
