An Evening Prayer of Reflection at Day's End

Father, before this day slips away, let me look at it with You.

Walk back through it with me, hour by hour. Where were You in it? Show me the moments I missed — the gift disguised as an interruption, the answer disguised as a delay.

What did I do today that I'm glad of? Let me thank You for it instead of congratulating myself. What do I wish I could take back? Let me confess it instead of excusing it. You already know; help me be as honest as You are merciful.

Teach me whatever today was trying to teach me, so I don't have to repeat the lesson too many times.

And then, Lord, help me close the book on it. Today is finished. It belongs to You now — the good, the bad, and the unfinished. I entrust it all to Your keeping, and myself along with it.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

When to Pray This

Pray this slowly, with the day still fresh — perhaps with a journal open. Christians have reviewed the day with God like this for centuries. Don't rush the middle stanza; the honesty is where the rest comes from.

A Verse to Hold On To

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." — Psalm 139:23–24 (KJV)