Morning prayer · 1 July

Pilgrims passing through

A small weary traveller's boot and walking stick left by a well-worn path, glimmering coins and a tiny crown scattered in the ditch beside it, ignored, while the path itself leads straight toward a bright distant gate.

Almighty God, help us remember that we’re pilgrims, just passing through this world. Don’t let the glitter of wealth, power or worldly wisdom blind our eyes. Help us keep our eyes and all our senses fixed on your Son’s kingdom. Don’t let anything stop us hurrying on in the life you’ve called us to, until we finish the course and reach the goal you’ve set before us, the goal you invite us to today through the good news. At last, gather us into the happy life forever that your Son won for us by his blood. May we never be separated from him. Hold us up by his power, and let him raise us at last to the highest heaven. Amen.

I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14 (BSB)

Adapted from John Calvin, Commentaries on Daniel (tr. Thomas Myers, 1852), in plain words. The verse is from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). Drawing: Mutter.