# Morning explained — Verses on Various Occasions

> Chapter companion for Verses on Various Occasions by John Henry Newman.

## What happens

The speaker rises at dawn, dedicating the day to God as a sacrifice, renouncing darkness and passion, and seeking the Lord's guidance on their path.

## Themes in this chapter

### Faith and Doubt

The speaker's prayer expresses a firm faith in God's guidance, while acknowledging the potential to stray.

### Sin and Redemption

The speaker offers the day as a sacrifice, renouncing darkness and passion, seeking to avoid shame and remain in God's grace.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker who rises and prays, offering the day as a sacrifice.

### Lord

Addressed as the one to whom the speaker prays for guidance.

### Gregory Nazianzen

The source of the morning prayer, from whom the chapter is adapted.

## Key lines

> I rise and raise my clasped hands to Thee! Henceforth, the darkness hath no part in me, Thy sacrifice this day;

I get up and pray to You; from now on, I reject evil and dedicate this day to You as an offering.

_The speaker begins the day with a prayer of dedication and renunciation of darkness._

> Abiding firm, and with a freeman’s might Stemming the waves of passion in the fight;⁠— Ah, should I from Thee stray, My hoary head, Thy table where I bow, Will be my shame, which are mine honour now.

Remaining steadfast and with the strength of a free person, I resist the surges of desire in the struggle; but if I wander from You, my gray hair and the altar where I kneel will become my disgrace, though they are now my pride.

_The speaker resolves to resist temptation, fearing that failure would turn his honors into shame._

> Thus I set out;⁠—Lord! lead me on my way!

So I begin my journey—Lord, guide me along my path!

_The speaker asks for divine guidance as he starts the day._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/cxvii-morning
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters