Morning prayer · 24 April

Breathe freely

A small window is thrown wide open on a stuffy room full of tangled thread-like scribbles, with one clear calm breeze drawn blowing in and loosening the knots nearest the sill, with the words “breathe freely” lettered by hand.

Lord, don’t let me look outside you for what I can only find in you: peace and rest and joy and happiness, which last only in your lasting joy. Lift my soul above the tiring circle of worried thoughts, into your presence that never ends. Lift my soul into the pure, bright, calm, shining air of your presence, so that there I can breathe freely, rest in your love, and be at rest from myself and from everything that wears me out. Then send me back, dressed in your peace, to do and to carry whatever pleases you. Amen.

Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.

Psalm 116:7 (BSB)

Adapted from E. B. Pusey, via Prayers Ancient and Modern (1897), in plain words. The verse is from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). Drawing: Mutter.