Soren Kierkegaard - Prayer - You have loved us first, O God

I quoted this prayer from 19th century Danish philosopher/theologian in my homily last weekend. I like it so much, I see it as being worthy of being posted separately.  It is a wonderful prayer about God's love for us and God always being there for us. One of the speakers quoted it at the national RCIA gathering I attended last week in Chicago. "You have loved us first, O God, alas! We speak of it in terms of history as if you loved us first but a single time, rather than that, without ceasing, you have loved us first many times and everyday and our whole life through. When we wake up in the morning and turn our soul toward you – you were there first – you have loved us first. If I rise at dawn and at that same second turn my soul toward you in prayer, you are there ahead of me, you have loved me first. When I withdraw from the distractions of the day and turn my soul toward you, you are there first and thus forever. And we speak ungratefully as if You have loved us first only once."