Morning prayer · 12 December

Through the shadows of night

A small window shutter swings open at dawn, and instead of ordinary daylight, a tiny sun with a simple quiet face pours in through the gap, settling right onto a sleeper's open eyes drawn just waking.

God of our fathers, we praise you, sing to you, bless you and thank you, because you’ve brought us safely through the shadows of the night and shown us the light of day again. In your goodness, forgive our sins and accept our prayer with tender kindness. We run to you, merciful and almighty God. Shine in our hearts as the true Sun of what is right. Light up our minds and guard all our senses, so that, walking straight as in daylight, in the way of your commands, we reach life that never ends, because with you is the spring of life. Bring us at last to the joy of the light no one can reach. Glory to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always. Amen.

“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and leap like calves from the stall.

Malachi 4:2 (BSB)

Adapted from the Orthodox Morning Prayers, tr. Isabel Hapgood (1906), in plain words. The verse is from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). Drawing: Mutter.