There is a harmony that happens when we allow God to guide our thoughts and feelings.  

When I neglect to ask God’s guidance, my thoughts and feelings can be quite unruly, if not absolutely chaotic. For example, in church I can be thinking about what I need to pull from the freezer for dinner, how I need to clean that smudge from a door frame, what I’m going to say when I pick up my child from Scouts, or how nice somebody’s shoes look.  Sadly, I can be thinking of all simultaneously while standing at Sunday Liturgy.  My brain can be in a complete flux unless I allow Him to direct my thoughts back to the worshipful tasks at hand.  Once my thoughts fall into line with the track of prayer or worship, the harmony returns and I begin to sink meaningfully into the prayers that are being said. 

When my boys fish at sunset, I enjoy watching the unspoken amicability between them, their poles quietly tugging lure and line across the surface of the water.  The act of baiting and casting has become second nature, like the flow of the river they are fishing.  Aware of each other’s space within the confines of the boat, they avoid hooking the other as they cast their lures out into the river.  

Like these boys, I cast my deeds and words out into the world all day. Its only when the Lord Christ is guiding me that I don’t abuse others with my own carelessness or descend into the dark depths with my self-focused actions. 

Harmony happens when the deeds, words, thoughts and feelings are offered to Him as a living sacrifice in my life.  

When I control my own thoughts and deeds, sometimes I cast them right, but often not.  Words of my own choosing can end up in the weeds, or worse, rip the flesh of an unsuspecting bystander. Untamed thoughts wander aimlessly like a lure without a weight.  When I ask God to guide me, I’m asking Him to be beside me, and help me. I’m asking Him to be with me in the boat.  When He guides this boat the words and feelings get into the right position and there peace resides. 

O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace, help me in all things to rely upon your holy will.

In every hour of the day reveal your will to me.

Bless my dealings with all who surround me.

Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that Your will governs all.

In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings.

In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by you.

Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others.
Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring.
Direct my will, teach me to pray.
And you, yourself, pray in me.
Amen.