A Morning Prayer
By Esaias Heidenreich
O mighty God, Lord of heaven and earth, through Your grace I see and behold the light of this day and the dawn of morning. Grant that I may also on the last day, with all believers, joyfully behold the Sun of eternal righteousness, Jesus Christ, my Redeemer and come unto the day of blessed company with all Your saints and elect. I thank You that You have this night so graciously protected my dear soul, wife, child, and whatsoever that You have given me from sudden death, from fire, from murder, and from other dangers through the watch of Your holy angels. I heartily ask that You would also preserve, rule, and govern me today under Your gracious protection, along with all that You have lent me. Graciously keep me from sin and shame, and grant that I may live as a Christian to Your praise and honor and to the benefit of my neighbor, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Esaias Heidenreich, Kirchen und Hausgebetlein (1582)
Virgin and Child in a Landscape (c. 1600) (Author unknown, though inspired from earlier work of Albrecht Dürer)