An excerpt form George Washington's Christian Journal

Making a journal for me is time-consuming and tasking. I never kept one literally. Somehow the excerpt below changed my mind completely.

"Almighty God, and most merciful father, who didst command the children of Israel to offer a daily sacrifice to thee, that thereby they might glorify and praise thee for thy protection both night and day, receive, O Lord, my morning sacrifice which I now offer up to thee; I yield thee humble and hearty thanks that thou has preserved me from the danger of the night past, and brought me to the light of the day, and the comforts thereof, a day which is consecrated not thine own service and for thine own honor. Let my heart, therefore, Gracious God, be so affected with the glory and majesty of it, that I may not do mine own works, but wait on thee, and discharge those weighty duties thou requirest of me, and since thou art a God of pure eyes, and wilt be sanctified in all who draw near unto thee, who doest not regard the sacrifice of fools, nor hear sinners who tread in thy courts, pardon, I beseech thee, my sins, remove them from thy presence, as far as the east is from the west, and accept of me for the merits of thy son Jesus Christ, that when I come into thy temple, and compass thine altar, my prayers may come before thee as incense; and as thou wouldst hear me calling upon thee in my prayers, so give me grace to hear thee calling on me in thy word, that it may be wisdom, righteousness, reconciliation and peace to the saving of the soul in the day of the Lord Jesus. Grant that I may hear it with reverence, receive it with meekness, mingle it with faith, and that it may accomplish in me, Gracious God, the good work for which thou has sent it. Bless my family, kindred, friends and country, be our God  guide this day and for ever for his sake, who lay down in the Grave and arose again for us, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen."

This was taken from a book called George Washington, the Christian (New York: The Abingdon Press, New York & Cincinnati, 1919), pp. 24-35 by William J. Johnson.

I stumbled into it while writing an article about Christian journals. This made me wonder how many  great men have one and how they use it during the time of despair. It is a wise idea in my opinion. Evidently we all need a guide especially in the time of desperation. Maybe I should start one soon but how?

This guide is very helpful.

How to Write Notes in a Journal for Personal Bible Quiet Times