I have a deep love for ancient prayers, particularly ones written by monastics. I love prayers that have been prayed for centuries, joining a chorus of other voices floating to God. This one isn't particularly old – Thomas Merton was a 20th century Trappist monk of the Abbey of Gethsemani just outside Lousiville, Kentucky.
This one really spoke to me today. I used it for my personal prayer time this morning.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
––Thomas Merton
1 comment:
Thomas Merton, my spiritual mentor. I love that even he didn't know where he was going. Makes me feel better these days.
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