O everlasting God, let the light of Thine eternity now fall upon my passing days. O holy God, let the light of Thy perfect righteousness fall upon my sinful ways. O most merciful God, let the light of Thy love pierce to the most secret corners of my heart and overcome the darkness of sin within me.
Am I living as my conscience approves?
Am I demanding of others a higher standard of conduct than I demand of myself?
Am I taking a less charitable view of the failings of my neighbors than I am of my own?
Am I standing in public for principles which I do not practice in private?
Let my answer before Thee be truthful, O God.
Do I ever allow bodily appetites to take precedence over spiritual interests?
To which do I give the benefit of the doubt, when my course is not clear?
Do I ever allow the thought of my own gain to take precedence over the interest of the community?
Let my answer before Thee be truthful, O God.
Am I, in my daily life, facing the stress of circumstance with manliness and courage?
Am I grateful for my many blessings?
Am I allowing my happiness to be too much dependent on money? On business success? Or on good opinion of others?
Is the sympathy I show to others who are in trouble commensurate with the pity I would expend on myself, if the same things happened to me?
Let my answer before Thee be truthful, O God.
Create in me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.
“A Diary of Private Prayer” by John Baillie
