A Prayer - Just For Today
I was raised thinking - and being taught - that the best prayers had to be extemporaneous and free form. It wasn't until adulthood that I discovered the riches of liturgy and the words of faithful women and men who came before me. Not all, but many of my prayers, are worded by others whose words, life, and reflections give texture and thought to my own experience.
Last week, my friend and thoughtful Bible teacher, John Ortberg, introduced me to new-to-me prayer that he’s adapted. It’s called, as far as I can tell, Just For Today. It has become my daily prayer in this season.
“Just for today, I will try to live through this day only and not tackle my whole life's problems at once. I can do things for twelve hours that would appall me if I had to keep them up for a lifetime.
Just for today, I will remember, “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in this day,” even if I have to do it somehow.
Just for today, I will try to adjust myself to what is and not try to adjust everyone and everything to my own desires. I will take my relationships, my work, my problems as they come and fit myself to them.
Just for today, I will be grateful for my body. This body, I will breathe deeply, stand tall, eat slow, exercise, and offer my body—all of its parts—a living sacrifice to God.
Just for today, I will try to strengthen my mind. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought, and concentration.
Just for today, I will exercise my soul in three ways. I will do somebody else a good turn. And I will do at least two things that I do not want to do today just for the exercise.
Just for today, I will secretly bless each person I see.
Just for today, I will have a program. I will write down what I expect to do. I may not follow it all exactly, but I will have it. I will eliminate the pest of indecision.
Just for today, I will have a quiet time all by myself and relax. In this time, sometimes, I will thank God so as to get a better perspective on my life.
Just for a day, I will ruthlessly eliminate hurry from my life.
Just for today, tonight, when I hit the pillow, my last thought will not be regret over all I did not do today or fear over all that might happen tomorrow, but gratitude for what was and hope in God for what will be.
Just for today, when anxious, agitated, or confused, I will pray your will be done.
One day at a time. Just for today.”