Early Morning Prayer of Thanks

O God, early in the morning I cry to you.
Help me to pray and gather my thoughts to you;
I cannot do it alone.
In me it is dark, but with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not desert me;
My courage fails me, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace;
in me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
but you know the way for me.
Father in Heaven, praise and thanks be to you
for the night’s rest,
Praise and thanks be to you for the new day.
Praise and thanks be to you for all your lovingkindness
and faithfulness in my past life.
You have shown me so much goodness;
let me also accept what is hard to bear from your hand.
You will not lay a heavier burden on me than I can carry.
You make all things serve for the best for your children.
Lord, whatever this day brings, your name be praised.

( A prayer by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, written in Tegel prison, Berlin)