Notes from the Hours: A Morning Prayer

In the Morning Prayer for Monday of Psalter Week 1, the Liturgy of the Hours presents a prayer that we should be praying every morning of our busy days:

Father,

may everything we do

begin with Your inspiration

and continue with Your saving help.

Let our work always find its origin in You

and through You reach completion.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Reflect on this prayer for a few moments.

Is everything you do in response to God's inspiration? Do you pay attention to the little movements in your mind and heart, the hints that God gives you to guide you along your daily path? If not, what is standing in the way? What is distracting you? How might you learn to focus more on God's inspirations?

Do you turn to God for help throughout the day, even while you are performing your regular duties? Do you include God in the little things of life? How is your recollection? Do you remember God frequently and say small prayers now and then just to keep in touch?

Does your work have its origin in God? Are you following His will in your life? Or is your work taking on a life of its own and perhaps hindering your walk with God?

Do you rely on God to bring your tasks to their proper completion? Do you allow Him to work out what's best for you? Do you put the results of each job, of each day, and of your entire life in His hands and trust Him with them?

How would your life be different if you took this prayer seriously and endeavored to live what you pray?