A Concord Pastor Comments: Monday Morning Offering

Image: George Mendoza

Good morning, good God!

I know so much of my prayer
is a kind of give and take:
I offer you something
and then I ask for something...

Today is no different, Lord,
so please be patient
with how little I seem to have to offer
and how much I know I need from you...

I offer you my challenges this day
and pray for strength to accept them...

I offer you my failures this day
and pray for humility to recognize them
and grace to rise above them -
and to try again to tomorrow...

I offer you my sorrows this day
and pray that I carry them with hope...

Lord, I offer you my joys this day:
help me put the happiness of others
ahead of my own...

I offer you my fears this day
and pray for courage
to make it through the night and to tomorrow...

I offer you this day's unexpected problems, Lord,
and pray for serenity to cope with them...

I offer you my laziness this day
and pray for you to shake and waken me
to this day's opportunities to live fully,
change gracefully
and become the person you made me to be ...

I offer you my eyes, Lord:
let me see the world around me
as you see it...

I offer you my ears:
help me hear the cry of those in need...

I offer you my voice:
use my words for healing
and for making peace...

I offer you my thoughts:
give me your Spirit's counsel...

I offer you my imagination:
keep it true and pure...

I offer you my hands:
work through me for good of others...

I offer you my feet:
lead my steps
on the path you have marked out for me...

I offer you my heart, Lord:
mold and shape it
according to your Word...

I offer you this day, Lord,
for this is the day you have made,
the day you have given me,
the only day I have...

Keep me in today, Lord,
and keep my day in your loving care...

Amen.

(Click here for an archive of Monday Morning Offerings)