It's Been A Long Day, Lord*

It's been a long day, Lord. I'm going to bed now. To rest my tired body and weary spirit. But first I need to talk to You and be my last thought as I close my eyes in sleep and forget all the cares and events that transpired this day. And, most importantly, to commend myself to Your loving Hands. Tomorrow, if it be Your will, I shall wake up refreshed to begin another day, or to find myself beginning it in eternity, if You will it is time.

I thank you with all my heart for giving me this day, for all the blessings that you showered on me, for manifesting Yourself to me in the various events and interactions with people and things around me. Through them, I have felt Your love and joy. From some a dose of disappointments that I also unknowingly dish out sometimes to others. You use them to let me know You are leading me closer to You, to respond to Your call of having a more intimate relationship with You. In all these You are with me, Lord, drawing me to the knowledge of what is most important in my life.

For my shortcomings and failures, the times that I failed to respond and conform to Your most holy will, I ask for Your forgiveness and mercy. Pardon my thoughtlessness, my sloth, my ingratitude, my selfishness, my lack of charity, my failure to smoothen my rough edges, and more. I am sorry for all these, not because of fear of punishment, but because all these offended You Who deserves all my love.

As I lie and pull up my blanket over my fatigued body, cover me with the mantle of Your love and protection, Lord. Send your angels to guard and watch over me and my family throughout the night.

And if it is Your will that You grant me the blessing of another day, I intend, with the help of Your grace, to go through it with You always in my mind and in my heart, hoping that it will be another day, a better one, spent in love and service to You and those You love.

It's been a long day, Lord. I'm going to bed now. See you in the morning, wherever that morning will be.

I love you, Lord. I know You love me more. Much, much more! #

* Prayer based on the Examen of Consciousness by St. Ignatius Loyola

https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen/