Morning prayer is a powerful tool to orient our hearts and mind to God as we begin our day. By praying when we awake, we follow Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Almighty Father, whose command is overall and whose love never fails,

make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will.

Keep me true to my best self,

guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my loved ones and Thee without shame or fear.

Protect my family.

If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again.
Guide me with the light of truth and grantme wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer.
Amen

My last post was just before March Madness was to start, an event that I had worked very hard to prepare for, in order that it might be successful.

There were many times during the year, when I wanted to post something new; there were many things that happened over the last 9 months. But I was kept afloat emotionally by the post, and as the weeks and months went by I actually got stronger, better, than I was. Praise God! Psalms 91 was a special blessing to me.

So to my future self, I list these to mediate on in 2021:

Psalms 18 Psalms 27 Psalms 33 Psalms 144

Ultimately, all battles are about your relationship with God not about winning your battles.

Before and after any Work

BEFORE ANY WORK:

O Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of the eternal Father, Thou hast said, “Without me you can do nothing.” In faith I embrace Thy words, O Lord, and bow before Thy goodness. Help me to complete the work I am about to begin for Thine own glory: in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

AFTER ANY WORK:

Thou, O Christ, art Thyself the fulfillment of all good things! Fill my soul with joy and gladness, and save me, for Thou art all merciful.

https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/prayers/before-and-after-any-work

⁸ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Gerald: [the men are discussing the prospect of going to war with the North] And what does the captain of our troops say?

Ashley: Well, gentlemen, if Georgia fights, I go with her.