A prayer for Lent

[Note: The image above is of a painting by Charles Pate, Jr., a South Carolina based artist. Used with permission. For more of Mr. Pate’s art, visit: http://cpatejr.blogspot.com/2011/10/prison-project.html%5D

O God, early in the morning I cry to you.   Help me to pray And to concentrate my thoughts on you;

I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;

I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.

In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,

But you know the way for me….
Restore me to liberty,

And enable me to live now
That I may answer before you and before men.

Lord whatever this day may bring,
Your name be praised.

Amen

Dietrich Bonnhoeffer, Martyr & German Pastor-Theologian