PRYR
Morning / Daily Prayer · 4th century

The Thanksgiving for the Morning

An ancient prayer from Apostolic Constitutions for mercy, morning, worship.

Original prayer

The Thanksgiving for the Morning

O God, the God of spirits and of all flesh, who art beyond compare, and standest in need of nothing, who hast given the sun to have rule over the day, and the moon and the stars to have rule over the night, do Thou now also look down upon us with gracious eyes, and receive our morning thanksgivings, and have mercy upon us; for we have not “spread out our hands unto a strange God;” for there is not among us any new God, but Thou, the eternal God, who art without end, who hast given us our being through Christ, and given us our well-being through Him. Do Thou vouchsafe us also, through Him, eternal life; with whom glory, and honour, and worship be to Thee and to the Holy Spirit forever.

Amen.

Direct answer

What this prayer is for

This prayer is for mercy, morning, worship. It gives the request old words: fewer tricks, more flame.

mercymorningworshipHoly Spirit
Use cases

Pray this when you’re asking for

  • mercy, morning, worship
  • mercy that is stronger than your mood
  • faithfulness when your own words are thin
  • God’s help for someone you are carrying in prayer
Short version

A shorter way to pray it

Lord, hear this ancient prayer for mercy, morning, worship. Give mercy, strength, and a heart made faithful before Thee. Amen.

Meaning

What this prayer means

This prayer comes from the ancient church’s habit of asking directly: for mercy, for holiness, for protection, for light. It does not perform spirituality. It reaches for God.

Use it as written, or let it become a frame for the person and need in front of you.

Personalize it

Pray it for yourself or someone else

For myself

Lord, hear this prayer in me: mercy, morning, worship.

For a friend

Lord, remember [Name]. Give them mercy, morning, worship.

For a group

Lord, grant us together mercy, morning, worship, and keep us faithful before Thee.

FAQ

Questions about this prayer

What is this prayer for?

It is for mercy, morning, worship.

Where does it come from?

It appears in Prayers of the Early Church, edited by J. Manning Potts, available through Project Gutenberg.

Can I pray this for someone else?

Yes. Change the pronouns or add a name, while keeping the heart of the prayer intact.