From ancient times Christians, drawing on Jewish practices, have had set hours for prayer, including morning and evening prayer. Here is a morning prayer offered by John Calvin:
My God, my Father and my Savior, since it has pleased you to preserve me by your grace through the night just ended and until the present day, grant that I may use it entirely in your service and that I may think, say, and do nothing but to please you and to obey your holy will, so that all my actions may redound to the glory of your name and the edification of my neighbors. And just as in this earthly life you cause the sun to shine on the world to give physical light, let your Holy Spirit illumine my mind to guide me in the way of righteousness. Thus in everything I do, let my goal and intention always be to walk reverently and to honor and serve you, relying on your blessings for my well being, and undertaking only what is pleasing to you.
Grant also, O Lord, that as I labor for my physical needs and for this present life, I may lift up my soul to that heavenly and blessed life which you have promised to your children. And since to begin well means little unless one perseveres, I ask you to be my guide not only today but for all my life, daily continuing and increasing your grace in me until you have brought me into full union with your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who is the true Sun of our souls, shining day and night forever. Amen
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