End Your Day With Gratitude

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Over the last three encouragements, I have invited you to begin your day by saying a morning salutation to God, then to open every room of your heart to Jesus, and to recognize His loving presence throughout your day.

Today, I would like to encourage you to end your day with God. Some people may follow the Liturgy of the Hours by praying Night Prayer; others may follow St. Ignatius by praying the Examen. There are several end-of-day prayers.

Before you close your eyes to sleep tonight, take just one quiet minute with Jesus. Just open your heart to Him in simple conversation, as with a dear friend. I like to say, “having a heart-to-heart with Jesus.” He never gets tired of listening to you, especially in a heart-to-heart conversation.

Simply look back over your day.

Thank God for the blessings you received, whether they were great or small. Thank Him for the people He placed in your life today. Thank Him for the moments of joy, the opportunities to love, and even the challenges that helped you grow. If you didn’t understand something, ask Jesus to help you.

Unite all your hardships and worries, sorrows and fears, to the Passion of Jesus Christ.

Then, if there is something you regret, don't be afraid to place it into His loving hands. Our Lord is rich in mercy. He knows our weaknesses, our struggles, and even the things we wish we had done differently. He is waiting to embrace us with His love and forgiveness more than we can possibly know.

Finally, place tomorrow into God’s hands, always seeking His holy will and praying in the words of Christ: “Not my will, but Yours be done.”

We often spend so much time worrying about what tomorrow may bring that we forget tomorrow already belongs to Him. Our loving Father is already there, preparing the way before us.

Perhaps tonight, before you fall asleep, simply pray:

“Good night, Daddy. Thank You for today. I place tomorrow into Your hands.”

It is a simple, humble prayer from the heart, but it is these kinds of simple, humble prayers, prayed with love, that God cherishes the most.

May we always remember that every day is a gift from God. As we begin each day with Him, may we also end each day resting in His peace, trusting that His love never leaves us.

God bless you.