Morning prayer · 23 October

Let the flame grow

A small banked fire in a hearth, its coals glowing quietly, with one breath drawn as a soft curling line stirring it into a fuller flame.

Lord, give us hearts that never forget your love, but live in it always: asleep or awake, in life, in death, and in the life to come. Your love is life and rest that never end, and real life is knowing you and your goodness. Don’t let its flame ever go out in our hearts. Let it grow and brighten until our whole souls glow with its light and warmth. Be our joy and hope, our strength and life, our shield and shepherd, our everything. We are happy when we stay in your love, and holy when we love you faithfully. You whose name and nature is love, set our hearts on fire, open our minds, make our wills holy, and fill all our thoughts. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.

John 17:3 (BSB)

Adapted from Johann Arndt, via Prayers Ancient and Modern (1897), in plain words. The verse is from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). Drawing: Mutter.