Morning prayer · 30 March

Kindness like a shield

A tortoise carries its own shell like armor out into the morning, a small sun rising behind it, suggesting protection worn gently rather than forced.

Lord, we put ourselves in your care and keeping today. Watch over us for good, and surround us with your kindness like a shield. Keep us from all evil. Keep our souls safe, and keep us as we go out and come in. Keep us healthy and safe from harm. Bless our work, and let every good thing we take on go well. We give our souls to the guidance of your Spirit. Let your grace be strong in us and enough for us, working in us to want and to do what is good. Help us do today’s work today, and do even ordinary things in a way that pleases you, always looking up to you. And please guide our steps. Amen.

For surely You, O LORD, bless the righteous; You surround them with the shield of Your favor.

Psalm 5:12 (BSB)

Adapted from Matthew Henry, A Method for Prayer (1710), in plain words. The verse is from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). Drawing: Mutter.