Chapter 10. Morning Prayer. (Part 2. Uplifting the Soul to God in Prayer and the use of the Sacraments) (Introduction to the Devout Life) (Saint Francis of Sales)

BESIDES your systematic meditation and your other vocal prayers, there are five shorter kinds of prayer, which are as aids and assistants to the great devotion, and foremost among these is your morning prayer, as a general preparation for all the day's work. It should be made in this wise.

1. Thank God, and adore Him for His Grace which has kept you safely through the night, and if in anything you have offended against Him, ask forgiveness.

2. Call to mind that the day now beginning is given you in order that you may work for Eternity, and make a stedfast resolution to use this day for that end.

3. Consider beforehand what occupations, duities and occasions are likely this day to enable you to serve God; what temptations to offend Him, eitlher by vanity, anger, etc., may arise; and make a fervent resolution to use all means of serving Him and confirming your own piety; as also to avoid and resist whatever might hinder your salvation and God's Glory. Nor is it enough to make such a resolution,�you must also prepare to carry it into effect. Thus, if you foresee having to meet some one who is hottempered and irritable, you must not merely resolve to guard your own temper, but you must consider by what gentle words to conciliate him. If you know you will see some sick person, consider how best to minister comfort to him, and so on.

4. Next, humble yourself before God, confessing that of yourself you could carry out nothing that you have planned, either in avoiding evil or seeking good.

Then, so to say, take your heart in your hands, and offer it and all your good intentions to God's Gracious Majesty, en-treating Him to accept them, and strengthen you in His Service, which you may do in some such words as these: "Lord, I lay before You my weak heart, which You do fill with good desires. You know that I am unable to bring the same to good effect, unless You do bless and prosper them, and therefore, O Loving Father, I entreat of You to help me by the Merits and Passion of Your Dear Son, to Whose Honour I would devote this day and my whole life."

All these acts should be made briefly and heartily, before you leave your room if possible, so that all the coming work of the day may be prospered with God's blessing; but anyhow, my daughter, I entreat you never to omit them.