A Prayer For Before Dawn

Introduction

If you are anything like me, you probably have never read a book of poetry by the light of your phone at 5am before an early morning flight out of Bali. Normally, I would be spending these precious minutes of sleep fortifying myself for my long day ahead with a hearty dose of the REM variety: dreaming about ducks and riding in pink cars and swimming under waterfalls. Instead, I am wide awake and fully conscious, my eyes fixed on the words that flash from my screen as I scroll through breakfast recipes on Pinterest. And then it happens; a poem pops up that stops me dead in my tracks. It is so beautiful it makes me want to weep. The author (a woman named Mary Oliver) describes how she had recently witnessed a fox sitting thoughtfully at the edge of a woods watching silently as birds poured down from the trees and flew away in great flocks. This scene seems to have reminded her of something else: something profound and spiritual and deeply human that she has experienced before “as if it were an accident”, but which was really “the only thing/ we could ever do/ to redeem ourselves”.

Heavenly Father, thank you for a new day.

Thank you, heavenly Father, for a new day. Thank you that we were given another opportunity to live and love with you and your children. Thank you for giving us the chance to start over again and anew with each passing day. To wake up every morning is a gift from God—a chance for redemption, a chance for healing, a chance to get it right this time. Your grace is shown through each sunrise as light shines into our lives once more after being held at bay by darkness all night long. As we sit here awake before dawn, let us remember what we have been given: newness of life in Christ; freedom from our past sins; beauty around us in nature; chances at forgiveness if we fall short again today; hope that tomorrow will bring us closer still toward perfection; guidance toward eternal happiness with You!

Thank you for the sun, the rain and the misty morning dew.

Thank you for the sun, the rain and the misty morning dew. Thank you for all the wonderful things you have created and given to me. Thank you for giving me a body that allows me to experience life on this earth and feel your love through nature at every turn. Thank you for giving us knowledge of how everything works together in harmony so beautifully.

Thank you for giving us such an amazing planet to live on, with breathtaking landscapes all around us and beautiful animals roaming free or flying above our heads in their natural habitat. The changing seasons are a gift from You! As each season passes it brings with it new growth, new beauty and new opportunities for learning about ourselves through those around us as well as ourselves through our own experiences during those times throughout the year which may have been difficult otherwise due to their intensity — both emotionally as well as physically (e.g., heat waves).

Thank you for the colors, the fragrances and the sounds of awakening nature.

• Thank you for the colors, the fragrances and the sounds of awakening nature.
• Thank you for ____________________ (a specific thing in nature that you are thankful for).
• Thank you for ____________________ (another specific thing in nature that you are thankful for).

Thank you for another chance to get it right today.

Thank you for another chance to get it right today.

We are all given a specific mission, and we’re not always able to see what that mission is. But I know that when I’m at my best, I am helping people find their way in the world and showing them the light of hope that comes with each new day.

That’s why I wake up every morning and ask for guidance on how I can best help others; it’s what gets me through the day. And so this prayer was written just for you—to let you know you’re appreciated, even if it doesn’t always seem like others believe in your abilities or talents. This prayer reminds us all that we do have something special inside of us; something worth appreciating!

Forgive me for those times I have failed or disappointed you.

Forgive me for those times I have failed or disappointed you.

I am a flawed human being, and this is not news to anyone who knows me well. I have disappointed my friends and family. I have been selfish, unkind, and even cruel at times.

I am not perfect; no one is. You are not perfect either—and neither are they! We all fail in some way or another; it’s part of being human and living life on earth together as imperfect beings in an imperfect world. Yet we can do better by each other every day, even if only by remembering to be kind when we speak with our friends or family members over the phone; even if only by smiling at that stranger who looks like they could use a friendly face as they walk into their local grocery store every weeknight after work from 5-8pm (you know who you are).

Our past does not define us: You can improve yourself every day if you want to, because no matter how many mistakes you make along the way towards improving yourself as a person who strives towards goodness in everything he does -– your past does NOT equal your future!

Give me strength to resist my temptations and faith to overcome my fears.

Lord, please give me the strength to resist my temptations and faith to overcome my fears.

I know that you are there with me, even when I’m not sure what is right or wrong. Help me trust in your guidance as I face temptation, and help me have faith that you will provide strength when I need it most.

I know that there is no weakness in asking for help from others—letting others know about my struggles is a sign of strength rather than weakness. Help me find people who can support me through this difficult time so that I don’t have to face it alone!

Guide me along a path of spiritual growth and increase my desire to become all you want me to be.

I have found that it is helpful to pray specifically about what you want to achieve in your life, rather than simply asking God for help.

It is important for us to not be afraid to ask for God’s help and guidance. We should also remember that we are not the only ones who need spiritual growth and guidance, but other people as well.

We should pray for those who are suffering from disease or illness, so that they may feel comforted through their pain, as well as forgiveness from their sins committed against others in this world (Ephesians 4:32). When we reach out with love through prayerful action towards others’ needs, our hearts become more open towards receiving His love back at home when we return after our day’s work (1 John 4:16-21). This will increase our desire within ourselves; making us want even more than before!

I commit today into your hands, trusting that as I seek your will in all I do, you will guide my footsteps and lead me by your Spirit.

Today, I commit myself more fully into your hands. I know that as I seek your will in all that I do, you will guide my footsteps and lead me by Your Spirit.

Let go of control; let go of worry; let go of doubt and fear. Instead, give yourself freely to God’s plan for you today. Trust Him to guide you through the day with His love and protection as always!

May no worldly obstacles distract me and may no ungodly influences ensnare me as I follow along your chosen path today.

• May no worldly obstacles distract me and may no ungodly influences ensnare me as I follow along your chosen path today.
• Thank you for the gift of this new day, that I may use it to glorify your name.
• Help me to see what is important, and help me to recognize when my priorities are out of focus so that I might adjust them accordingly.
• May I find peace in knowing that whatever happens today, you will provide for my needs. If something should be taken away from me by an unforeseeable accident or unexpected circumstance, please give us strength to deal with it in a godly manner.

And Lord, please bless the remainder of this day with your presence, peace and love – in Jesus name I pray, Amen

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Conclusion

I hope that through this analysis of “A Prayer for Before Dawn”, you have seen the beauty and honesty that this poem contains. The fact that Dangarembga was able to write a piece like this so early in her career is a testament to her natural talent as an author. I look forward to seeing more from her in the future!