I was reminded of a morning prayer a friend taught me that has helped me and changed my perspective: “Lord, I come to you with empty hands. If all I have today is You and the next breath, that will be enough.”

I remembered something else about this little prayer. It helps if you say it with open extended hands, palms up. Basically, you’re letting go of control, because it’s impossible to grasp and clutch with fingers open and extended.

It’s not a prayer asking God to take away everything you hold dear. It’s saying that God is enough. Not God plus my spouse. Not God plus my children. Not God plus my career. God and God alone is enough, and even if all those things went away God would still be enough.

It’s also a reminder that life isn’t automatically guaranteed. No one is promised the next breath, much less the next day or week or month or year. Each moment is a gift from God, whether we choose to acknowledge it or not.

Here’s the prayer again if you need it:

“Lord, I come to you with empty hands. If all I have today is You and the next breath, that will be enough.”