When I go to bed at night, I ask God to give me another day; I

Hear the humble and fervent words of Richard Simmons, who declared: “When I go to bed at night, I ask God to give me another day; I ask Him to keep me strong and make me a good teacher and to keep spreading this right word.” At first, the words may sound simple, the prayer of a man known for his bright spirit and boundless energy. But beneath them lies a wisdom as ancient as the psalms: the recognition that each day is not owed but gifted, that strength is not self-made but sustained by grace, and that one’s mission in life is not for self-glory, but for service.

The first truth in his saying is the plea for another day. Here is gratitude, clothed in humility. For how many rise in the morning as if the sun itself were their servant? Yet Simmons reminds us that every new dawn is a gift from the Divine, not a guarantee. To ask for another day is to remember mortality, to live with awareness that life is brief, and to greet each morning with reverence. This simple practice transforms the ordinary into the sacred, turning the passage of time into an offering of meaning.

He also asks to be kept strong. This is not the strength of muscle alone, though Simmons himself was a teacher of health and fitness, but the deeper strength of spirit: the strength to endure criticism, to rise when weary, to continue giving when others might retreat into comfort. True strength is not brute force—it is perseverance in the service of others. His words echo the prayers of saints and sages who sought not wealth or ease, but resilience to continue their work when the burden grew heavy.

Most striking is his desire to be a good teacher. For Simmons did not see himself only as an entertainer, but as one entrusted with a sacred role: to guide others into healthier, happier lives. In calling himself a teacher, he places himself among those whose duty is not to command, but to nurture; not to dominate, but to inspire. This humility—seeking to teach rightly rather than to be celebrated—shows the spirit of one who knows that true greatness lies in service.

History echoes with such figures. Think of Socrates, who prayed not for riches or acclaim, but for wisdom to guide others toward truth. Or of Florence Nightingale, who in the quiet hours of exhaustion prayed for strength to continue tending to the wounded. In every age, the noblest souls have not asked for fortune or fame, but for the grace to fulfill their calling. Simmons joins their chorus, proving that the spirit of service can be found in any field, even in the realm of fitness and health, where laughter and movement become instruments of healing.

The lesson is clear: live each day as a gift, and use it in the service of others. Ask not for ease, but for strength; not for glory, but for the heart of a teacher. If you are given influence, use it to spread truth, encouragement, and healing. Let your words and actions be your right word, carried not for yourself but for those who look to you for hope.

Practical steps follow: each evening, reflect with gratitude on the day given to you. Each morning, set an intention not only for your own success but for the good you might bring to others. Cultivate strength of spirit through discipline, kindness, and resilience. And whatever your role in life—parent, worker, artist, leader—embrace it as the role of a teacher, one whose presence makes others stronger, wiser, and more alive.

Remember always: the greatest prayer is not for wealth or long life, but for another chance to serve. Richard Simmons’ words remind us that the true measure of a life is not how much we take, but how faithfully we give, day after day, until the final sunset.