Prayer for Monday Morning.

Latin, 7 Century.
Erasmus Alber, 1555.
Tr. H. Brueckner, 1918.
O Christ, who art the sun-lit day,
Before Thee night must flee away,
Thou dost reflect the Father's light
And teachest us His will aright.
Dear Lord, as night is drawing near,
Fill Thou our hearts with light and cheer,
Let us securely rest in Thee
And from the foe's attacks stay free.
And while our eyes in slumber close,
Grant that our hearts may find repose;
But let them be to Thee awake
And of Thy saving grace partake.
Protect us from the wily foe
Who seeks to harm our souls, we know.
Be Thou our shield, our staff, and stay,
Lord Jesus Christ, for this we pray.
For Thou hast made us, Lord, Thine own,
We as Thy heritage are known.
Thy blood was shed, that we might be
The Father's precious gift to Thee.
So let Thy holy angel stay
Around us both by night and day.
Place Thou a watch beside our bed,
And guardian angels overhead.
Thus in Thy name we fall asleep,
While angels o'er us watch must keep.
To Thee, O Holy One in Three,
Be praise to all eternity.

O Thou Eternal and Merciful God! Thou hast commanded Thy people in Thy law each morning to offer Thee a burnt offering, thereby to praise and thank Thee for Thy merciful protection: thus I too would bring unto Thee my offering of praise, that is the fruit of my lips, and magnify Thy holy name. For by Thy grace and mercy Thou hast kept me this night from all evil and harm in body and soul, and hast graciously protected me. If Thou hadst not been my shield and my help, manifold calamities would have engulfed me, and I could not have risen in health and safety. Therefore, I thank Thee for Thy protection. But I continue to call to Thee from the depths of my heart, and my supplication ascends to Thee in the early hour. Early do I seek Thy countenance and pray Thee to safeguard me and mine from the wiles and power of the devil, from sin and disgrace and all wickedness. Visit Thou me in this early hour with Thy grace, as without Thee I can do nothing, and grant that I may this day begin all my work in Thy name and end it joyously, to the glory of Thy divine majesty and the betterment of my neighbor. Preserve my soul, mind, reason, senses, and thoughts, all that I do and leave undone, that the prince of darkness do me no injury. Safeguard me against the destruction that wasteth at noonday. Defend me against mine enemies that neither secretly nor openly they harm or injure me with their craft and cunning, violence or malice. O God, Father and Lord of my life, shield me from all impurity and disorderly conduct. Keep me from all intemperance and unchastity, and turn from me shameless thoughts. Help me by Thy grace to pluck out the eye that offends me and cast it away, and renounce all wicked and impure desires of the heart. Grant whatever is pleasing to Thee and useful to me, that I may serve Thee in the true faith. Look upon me with the eyes of Thy mercy, Thou Savior of the world, and enlighten my heart and eyes, that I may walk in the light of Thy grace, which rises above me, and never lose Thee, the Eternal Light. Amen.