Mark 1:35 Jesus departed into a solitary place and there prayed

November 3

Jesus departed into a solitary place and there prayed. — Mark 1:35

Photo: Caleb Turner

O GOD, our Father, in the opening of the new day we look up into Thy face to thank Thee for the care of the night and for the joy of another morning.

The new day will bring its blessings; may we be able to see and seize them. In the new day we shall have opportunity--opportunity to be kind--may we remember that kind words can never die.

We shall have opportunity to bear or share another's burden; may we, like the Great Burden Bearer, tenderly, tactfully enter into and share the needs of others.

Joys may come, sorrows may fall upon our hears, surprises may wait us at some turn in the way, but do Thou, ever-present, loving Father, show us that no joy or sorrow or surprise can come to us, Thy children, without Thy knowledge.

Teach us to thank Thee for the joys; to remember, when we must weep, that "Jesus wept"; and to trust all the unexpected--the surprises--to Him Who doeth all things well, and to radiantly hope for the day when "we shall know, even as we are known." Amen.

A.E. Piper, D.D.,

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania