Dear Lord, Forgive

There is a hymn, An Evening Prayer, written many years ago by C.M. Battersby. As a child I remember singing it in our church in Woodstock, Georgia. Every time I have heard this song, it has reminded me how what I say or what I do can affect others.

If I have wounded any soul today,
If I have caused one foot to go astray,
If I have walked in my own willful way,
Dear Lord, forgive!

If I have uttered idle words or vain,
If I have turned aside from want or pain,
Lest I myself should suffer through the strain,
Dear Lord, forgive!

If I have been perverse, or hard, or cold,
If I have longed for shelter in the fold,
When thou hast given me some fort to hold,
Dear Lord, forgive!

Forgive the sins I have confessed to thee;
Forgive the secret sins I do not see;
O guide me, love me, and my keeper be.
Dear Lord, forgive!


Lord God, this should be my prayer at the end of each day. And each morning I should pray that my words and actions during the day would not hurt anyone else. I pray never to be hard or cold to anyone you bring into my life. I pray to always be the shelter you have called me to be. Lord God, I pray for this day to be yours only. I pray to be guided only by your voice and never my own will. I pray to see others you bring into my life as a gift to be cherished. May I always love with your love. May I always seek to understand who they really are, and recognize the need beyond their words. Help me to always see their potential in you, and yet not burden them before they can understand the wonder of it. Help me to always realize that your way is the best. If I follow you, and if I surrender myself to you everyday, I will understand the hope of your calling and the power of your resurrection. If I let go of my preconceived ideas about anyone, you can guide me, direct me, and teach me how you can use me in their life. So, Lord, I pray not to wound any soul today. Instead I pray to inspire with your hope, and share your Word with your power, and love completely with your love. In Your precious and Holy Name, Amen.