Heavenly Father, send your Holy Spirit into our hearts, to direct and rule us according to your will, to comfort us in all our afflictions, to defend us from all error, and to lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCP, p. 107

Most mornings, I remember to pray when I wake up: Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace…in all things, help me to rely upon thy holy will…in every hour of the day, reveal thy will to me. There are more lines, asking for the strength and wisdom to act with kindness and steadfast strength. It’s been my way of putting my feet on a good path for the day.

There are some mornings that I skip the prayer – I forget to set an alarm, I’ve slept past my usual time, it’s a day packed with more than the usual activities. Oddly, it’s on the days when I most need to say my morning prayer that I don’t.

The morning has come and gone without me noticing the direction of my feet, heart, mind, and will. Now it’s noon, and there’s still time to take a deep breath and ask God for a reset. Here is my second chance to collect myself and set my feet on a good and loving path. May I be wise and loving enough to take it.