God's Minute

May 23

Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.--Psalm 86:2

OUR Heavenly Father, as we close our eyes we would open our hearts to Thee. Thou knowest us altogether; the very thoughts of our hearts, our innermost ambitions and desires, our secret ways--"all things are naked and open unto the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do." Thee we cannot deceive. Keep us from trying to deceive others or to deceive ourselves. May we be sincere, without guile or hypocrisy, genuine--our lives of one piece, like the seamless garment of our Lord.

Keep us from the folly and wickedness of a divided life, that is one thing within and another without; that is humble and reverent on the day of worship, but hard and cold and selfish on the days of work and of pleasure.

May we be thoughtful for those who serve us, and faithful to those whom we serve. May our daily task be consecrated to Thee, that not only the fruit of our labor, but the toil itself of hands and heart and brain, may be used for Thy Kingdom.

Make all our lives of friendship and books and rest and love and laughter and service sacred to Thee, and Thine may be the glory, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Master.

Amen.

Herbert Welch, D.D., LL.D.,
Delaware, Ohio

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