It is a little more difficult to give the morning prayer a fixed place in our life than the evening prayer, because in the morning we feel strengthened by sleep and are in a hurry to get to our work. But if we thus seem to think that we cannot find time to say a morning prayer, let us remember the old proverb: "In prayer is no delay," and if there are other reasons--petty things that have hindered us--then let us summon our will and say to ourselves: _I want to!_ The morning prayer is henceforth to have a fixed place in my everyday life and in my home, and I think everything will go well: In prayer is no delay. Just as the evening prayer because of the significance of time is particularly adapted as a _protection_ against temptation, so the morning prayer for a corresponding reason is especially fit to prove a _gain_ to us. When we arise in the morning, the day is facing us, and it is of importance that we approach our work with willingness and high hopes--whether the work be that of the intellectual or the manual laborer. But, how often is it not the case that we approach our work slovenly and sourly--with the consequence that we feel it a burden and a difficulty. We do not discover that rest and that joy in the work which God bestowed upon it. The work becomes nothing but unwillingly done toil, and the day seems long and weary. By way of suggesting a preventive I know of nothing better than to start the day with a morning prayer. It stimulates the willingness to work, to begin the day by thanking God for the night that has vanished, and to pray for blessing upon the work of the coming day. It imparts joy of living. It makes it easier to discover the rest and the delight in work, no matter how exerting that may be. How often is it not the case that the man who is ready to go to his work, gets up silently and grouchingly, washes himself and sits down at the table: Breakfast is not yet ready, and his wife gets for this reason some nagging reproaches. At last the meal is served. Silently the man partakes of his breakfast, takes his hat and his dinnerpail, remarks sulkily that now he is going--and goes. Such a start promises a cheerless day for both man and wife. He goes to his shop or field with head bent low and his mind heavy while his wife takes up her duties at home--without cheer. How different would not the _day_ and the _work_ be for the man and wife if they could unite in a little morning prayer and part with the words of the poet upon their lips: Then gladly we go Each to his work Relying upon God's grace. Thus gaining strength To be of use, as God wills In the very best way we know. And that applies to all of us. We all need to be told that we should go to our work with more gladness, rely more upon the grace of God, get more and more strength and joy wherewith to do our work so as to please God. To this end, the morning prayer is an incentive, and that is why I consider it a _gain_.