Good morning, good God!
Been thinking, Lord,
’bout all I have, all I cling to,
all I hoard
and should let go…
It’s time for inventory:
time to name the stuff I hold
that has a hold on me…
I offer you my time, Lord,
the minutes, hours and days
I keep just for myself;
help me let go some control
of my schedule and my plans;
free me up for time for prayer,
for serving others’ needs
and for rev’ling in the simplest joys of life…
I offer you my theories and opinions,
speculations and positions
and all the ways I certify
that my ideas are best, the brightest,
the truth – and nothing but…
Help me let go my attachment, Lord,
to stale disappointments,
sad and bad memories,
resentments and grudges,
the chips on my shoulders,
and the anger and wrath I hug so tightly:
loosen my grip on all
that weighs so heavy on my soul…
Help me let go when fear befriends me
and tempts me, Lord, to fear
that fear is all I’ll ever know.
Heal my fears and help me find,
help me welcome deep within,
your power, peace and presence….
Help me to let go, Lord:
things I buy that I don’t need,
clothes that I don’t wear,
toys I never play with
and money that I waste while others want.
Change my vocabulary, Lord:
not so much mine,
much more yours,
and more truly – theirs and ours…
My mind and heart are cluttered, Lord,
with so much stuff better shared or given,
cast away, left behind,
disposed of and forgotten…
Set me free from what I cling to,
the things that hold me captive
and keep me from the peace I seek
in you and in my life…
I can’t clean house today, Lord,
but give me grace to give away
at least a thing or two
to free me for tomorrow
and for the week ahead
and for seasons yet to come…
What I need let go I offer, Lord,
and pray that in return
you’ll fill me with your grace and peace
and all I truly need
to live a simple life,
bereft of all but you…
Amen.
