Morning prayer · 13 May

Not our own

A small key on a plain cord is placed into an open hand that offers it upward, the hand itself held steady by a larger unseen hand from above, showing a life surrendered and kept safe in turn.

Almighty God, you’ve brought us back to yourself by the precious blood of your Son. So help us not to belong to ourselves, but to give ourselves completely to you and obey you fully. May we offer you our bodies and souls, and be ready to die a hundred times rather than stop giving you true and honest worship. Above all, help us keep at prayer, run to you every moment, and trust ourselves to your Father’s care, so that your Spirit guides us to the end. Defend us and hold us up until we’re gathered into the kingdom of heaven that your only Son has prepared for us by his blood. Amen.

And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.

2 Corinthians 5:15 (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.