I found a marvelous resource on Google Books: Sunlit Days, a collection of daily prayers and readings by a wonderfully diverse group of writers, published in 1915.

This gem of a prayer, dated to be read on July 23, but beautiful any day of the year, comes from the Rev. Clarence R. Skinner (March 23, 1881-August 26, 1949). Rev. Skinner was a Universalist minister, serving churches in New York and Massachusetts before becoming a Professor of Applied Christianity at the Crane Theological School of Tufts College. He later founded the Community Church of Boston, free from any creedal test for membership and not affiliated with any religious denomination, which he served for 15 years in addition to his teaching duties.

One of his most influential books, The Social Implications of Universalism, is also available in full on Google Books. (I would have chosen a section of this for today’s post, but I’d have to post the entire book!!)

Prayer from Sunlit Days, 1915

by Rev. Clarence R. Skinner (March 23, 1881-August 26, 1949)

We thank Thee, Lord, for this new day which shines across the sparkling hills with all the freshness and purity of the first day. Wilt Thou give us sensitive hearts and childlike eyes that we may thrill with the beauty and joy of it. Help us to be happy as the multitudinous birds, scattering their golden songs in air, and as trustful as the first shy flowers of spring, adventuring through dark and wild. May we keep this day as Thou hast given it to us — fresh, sweet, and pure. May we fill it with earnest work, great-hearted love, happy play, contagious laughter. Help us so to live that when we lay down to sleep, the memory of this day shall bless us with exceeding peace. Amen.

Source: Prayer from Sunlit Days, archived on Google Books, by Rev. Clarence R. Skinner, 1915.

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