The whole day need not be carried at once. On the quiet cloister path, the rabbit pauses among the garden beds as the morning light reaches the old stone arches. That small beginning offers a setting for asking simply for the strength this day requires.
“O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.”
Isaiah 33:2 (KJV)
Isaiah gives voice to a communal plea for grace and deliverance in a time of threat. The image of an arm speaks of strength and support. The prayer reaches toward God each morning while also acknowledging the larger trouble surrounding the people.
We may begin with both ordinary duties and concerns that will not be settled today. Prayer allows us to bring them together without pretending we can control every outcome. We can ask for guidance, receive help, and approach the next responsibility with the attention it deserves.
The words also remind us to pray beyond ourselves. Someone beside us may need strength we have not noticed them lacking. Lord, be gracious to us this morning. Sustain those we love, guide our decisions, and help us meet the day’s small tasks with patience, trusting you with the hours we have not yet reached. Amen.