Morning prayer · 14 May

Warm our cold hearts

A block of ice sitting in a patch of sunlight, already softening into a small puddle, suggesting a cold heart beginning to melt and warm.

Lord, please warm our cold hearts. Take away everything that stops us giving ourselves to you. Shape us to be like you. Help us obey you in everything and always follow where you kindly lead. Today, help us be kind to everyone, gentle and unselfish, careful not to hurt anyone by what we say or do, eager to do good to all and to make others happy. Lord, forgive us for our bad tempers. Forgive our hasty words and unkind thoughts. Help us watch what we say. Give us a gentle, loving spirit, which is precious to you. We don’t want to live for ourselves, but for you. Keep us today from sin and from everything that would hurt you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Ephesians 4:2 (BSB)

Adapted from Ashton Oxenden, via A Chain of Prayer Across the Ages (1913), in plain words. The verse is from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). Drawing: Mutter.