Rest, Renewal, and Kindness

O LORD, we would rest in Thee, for in Thee alone is true rest to be found. We would forget our disappointed hopes, our fruitless efforts, our trivial aims, and lean on Thee, our Comfort and our Strength. When the order of this world bears cruelly upon us; when Nature seems to us an awful machine, grinding out life and death, without a reason or a purpose; when our hopes perish in the grave where we lay to rest our loved dead: O what can we do but turn to Thee, whose law underlieth all, and whose love, we trust, is the end of all? Thou fillest all things with Thy presence, and dost press close to our souls. Still every passion, rebuke every doubt, strengthen every element of good within us, that nothing may hinder the outflow of Thy life and power. In Thee, let the weak be full of might, and let the strong renew their strength. In Thee, let the tempted find succour, the sorrowing consolation, and the lonely and the neglected their Supreme friend, their faithful Companion.

O Lord, we are weary of our old, barren selves. Separate us from our spiritual past, and quicken within us the seeds of a new future. Transform us by the breath of Thy regenerating power, that life may seem supremely beautiful and duty our highest privilege, and the only real evil a guilty conscience. Let us be no longer sad, or downcast, or miserable, or despairing, vexed by remorse, or depressed by our failures. Take from us the old self. Give us a new self, beautiful, vigorous and joyous. Let old things pass away and let all things become new. Kindle within us a flame of heavenly devotion, so that to us work for Thee shall become a happiness, and rest in Thee shall become an energy, unchecked by fears within and foes without. Give us love, and then we shall have more than all we need, for Thou art Love, Thyself the Giver and the Gift.

Bless us in all our relations with our fellows. Grant that we may never add to the sin and sadness of the world, never add to the burdens that lie heavy on other souls, never offend one of Thy little ones, whose angels always behold Thy face. Save us from all pride and envy and jealousy, from a bitter and uncharitable temper, from inconsiderate and selfish deeds. Enable us to give a smile instead of a frown; a cheerful, kindly word, instead of harshness and coldness. Let our dealings with all men, good and bad alike, be simple and according to the way of Christ. May we love the sinner, even while we condemn his sin. Forgive us that we have so often rejoiced at the misfortune of the transgressor, and grant that we may henceforth greatly pity him and gently turn his thoughts to goodness and to Thee. O God, these tasks seem hard to us, but with Thee all things are possible. Supply to us the strength that we need, according to the riches of Thy Grace in glory by Christ Jesus. Amen.