November The Twentieth

O GOD, we, who are bound together in the tender ties of love, pray Thee for a day of unclouded love. May no passing irritation rob us of our joy in one another. Forgive us if we have often been keen to see the human failings, and slow to feel the preciousness of those who are still the dearest comfort of our life. May there be no sharp words that wound and scar, and no rift that may grow into estrangement. Suffer us not to grieve those whom Thou hast sent to us as the sweet ministers of love. May our eyes not be so holden by selfishness that we know Thine angels only when they spread their wings to return to Thee - Amen.

-- WALTER RAUSCHENBUSCH

October The Twenty-Fifth

O THOU who art the all pervading glory of the world, we bless Thee for the power of beauty to gladden our hearts. We praise Thee for our brothers, the masters of form and color and sound, who have power to unlock for us the vaster spaces of emotion, and to lead us by their hand into the reaches of nobler passions. We rejoice in their gifts, and pray Thee to save them from the temptations which beset their powers. Kindle in their hearts a passionate pity for the joyless lives of the people, and make them rejoice if they are found worthy to hold the cup of beauty to lips that are athirst. Make them the reverent interpreters of God to man, - who see Thy face and hear Thy voice in all things, that so they may unveil for us the beauties of nature which we have passed unseeing, and the sadness and sweetness of humanity to which our selfishness has made us blind - Amen.

-- WALTER RAUSCHENBUSCH

June The Tenth

O GOD, in whom is neither near nor far, through Thee we yearn for those who belong to us, and who are not here with us. We would fain be near them to shield them from harm and to touch them with the tenderness of love. We cast our cares for them on Thee in this evening hour, and pray Thee to do better for them than we could do. May no distance have power to wean their hearts from us, and no sloth of ours cause us to lag behind the even pace of growth. In due time restore them to us, and gladden our souls with their sweet sight.
We remember too the loved ones into whose dear eyes we cannot look again. O God, in whom are both the living and the dead, Thou art still their life and light as Thou art ours. Wherever they be, lay Thy hand tenderly upon them, and grant that some day we may meet again, and hear once more their broken words of love - Amen.

- WALTER RAUSCHENBUSCH

April The Twenty-Third

ACCEPT the work of this day, O Lord, as we lay it at Thy feet. Thou knowest its imperfections, and we know. Of the brave purposes of the morning only a few have found their fulfillment. We bless Thee that Thou art no hard taskmaster, watching grimly the stint of work we bring, but the father and teacher of men, who rejoices with us as we learn to work.
We have naught to boast before Thee, but we do not feat Thy face. Thou knowest all things and Thou art love. Accept every right intention however brokenly fulfilled, but grant that ere our life is done we may under Thy tuition become true master workmen, who know the art of a just and valiant life. - Amen.

- WALTER RAUSCHENBUSCH

April The Seventh

O LORD, we praise Thee for our sister, the Night, who folds all the tired folk of the earth in her comfortable robe of darkness and gives them sleep. Release now the strained limbs of toil and smooth the brow of care. Grant us the refreshing draught of forgetfulness, that we may rise in the morning with a smile on our face. Comfort and ease those who toss wakeful on a bed of pain, or whose aching nerves crave sleep and find it not. Save them from evil or despondent thoughts in the long darkness, and teach them so to lean on Thy all-pervading life and love, that their souls may grow tranquil and their bodies, too, may rest. And now, through Thee we send Good Night to all our brothers and sisters near and far, and pray for peace upon all the earth - Amen.

WALTER RAUSCHENBUSCH