A morning prayer

While working with my friend Marv on enlarging his spiritual experience, he showed me a prayer which he wanted to use as part of has morning routine. It seemed he wanted me to OK this for him to use - well outside my remit as a person, even when my spirit is awakened. Rather than offer any approval, I asked if I might keep a copy of the prayer and consider it for my own use.


And then the fun started, because when I sat down to say the prayer for the first time I found it impossible. In large part, this was down to a reluctance to say any prayer that I do not completely accept. For example, in the Lord's prayer, I cannot ask forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us for the simple reason that I find it hard to forgive so when I say those words I'm asking God to be tough on me as I am on others - something I don't actually want (although it might be good for me, come to think of it.


I kept studying the prayer but couldn't find a reason for the blockage. So I began to pray for the willingness to say the prayer and perhaps to be shown the problem. I was led to return to a Quaker meeting that I had stopped going to some time ago (for some imagined wrongs). I went, took the prayer and said it comfortably.


This is the prayer with my later addition shown:


God, [I offer myself to you to do with me as you will] Make me an instrument of your peace, fulfilling me with your love that I need harbour neither fear nor any of its manifestations. Relieve me of the bondage of self that I may better do your will. Take all of me, both good and bad, that I may be ever more present in the sunshine of your love. Amen