I Cannot Do This Alone – A Prayer by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I love this beautiful prayer by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, which I like to post each year as a Lenten prayer. It challenges me with what it means to follow Jesus as we walk towards the cross. It formed the centre of my meditation this morning – so challenging knowing where his journey led. This prayer was used as one of the Lenten meditations in The Mosaic Bible. This year I have included a short youtube video with an overview of Bonhoeffer’s life. It ends with a challenge for us to engage in the injustices of our world. We may not believe that what Bonhoeffer did was right, but his willingness to confront the issues of his day is something that we all need to take seriously.

I Cannot Do This Alone

O God, early in the morning I cry to you.

Help me to pray

And to concentrate my thoughts on you;

I cannot do this alone.

In me there is darkness,

But with you there is light;

I am lonely, but you do not leave me;

I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;

I am restless, but with you there is peace.

In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;

I do not understand your ways,

But you know the way for me….

Restore me to liberty,

And enable me to live now

That I may answer before you and before men.

Lord whatever this day may bring,

Your name be praised.

Amen

And hopefully your will have time to watch this compelling documentary about his life too.

Photo above: Dietrich Bonhoeffer – Charles Pate http://cpatejr.blogspot.com/2011/10/prison-project.html