O GOD, ever blessed, who has given me the night for rest and the day for labor and service, grant that the refreshing sleep of the night now past might be employed in Your greater glory during the life of the day now before me. Let it breed no slothfulness within me, but rather send me to more diligent action and more willing obedience.

Teach me, O God, to use all the circumstances of my life today that they may bring forth in me the fruits of holiness rather than the fruits of sin.

Let me use disappointment as material for patience:

Let me use success as material for thankfulness:

Let me use suspense as material for perseverance:

Let me use danger as material for courage:

Let me use reproach as material for longsuffering:

Let me use praise as material for humility:

Let me use pleasures as material for temperance:

Let me use pains as material for endurance.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who for the joy set before You endured the Cross, despising the shame, and who sat down at the right hand of God, let me consider You who endured such contradiction for sinners against Yourself, lest I be wearied of mind or faint of heart.

Holy God, I remember and call to mind before You now all my friends and those of my own household, praying especially for [name friends and family]. I ask You that in Your great love You would keep them also free from sin, safe-guarding all their deeds this day in accordance with Your most perfect will. Amen.

Adapted from A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie