MORNING PRAYER
Christmas, 1943
God, to you I call early in the morning. Help me pray and gather my thoughts to yourself. I cannot do it alone. In me it is dark, but with you is the light; I am lonely, but you forsake me not; I am faint-hearted, but with you is help; I am restless, but with you is peace; In me is bitterness, but with you is patience; I do not understand my way, but You know the way for me.
Father in Heaven, praise and thanks be yours for the night’s rest. Praise and thanks be your for the new day. Praise and thanks be yours for all your kindness and faithfulness in my past life. You have shown me much good. Let me now receive from your hand what is hard. You will not lay upon me more than I can bear. For your children you let all things serve for the best.
Lord Jesus Christ, you were poor and miserable, captive and forsaken as I am. You know every need of humans. You remain with me when no man stands by me. You forget me not and seek me. You will that I recognize you and turn to you. Lord, I hear your call and follow. Help me!
Holy Spirit, give me the faith that rescues me from despair, addictions, and vice. Give me the love for God and humans, that destroys all hate and bitterness, give me the hope that frees me from fear and despondency.
Holy, merciful God, My Creator and my Savior, My Judge and my Deliverer, You know me and everything I do. You hate and punish evil in this world and in the next with no respect of persons; You forgive sins for the one who asks sincerely; You love good and reward it on this earth with a good conscience and in the world to come with the crown of righteousness.
Before you I think of all my loved ones, and of my fellow prisoners, and of all those who do their hard service in this house. Lord, have mercy! Grant me freedom again, and let me so live in the present that I can live responsibly before humans. Lord, whatever else this day brings—may your name be praised! Amen.
–Dietrich Bonhoeffer
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer was hung April 9, 1945, in Flossenberg concentration camp. He was 39.)