Thomas Merton
This past Sunday I used a prayer written by Thomas Merton (1915-1968), an American Trappist monk, writer, theologian, and mystic. The words of this prayer always resound with me at various times in my life. It was a prayer our Conference Minister, John Deckenback, would occasionally offer before we began a particularly complicated committee meeting. It has been a prayer offered when mentoring candidates for ordination. It has been a prayer offered when life seems complicated and involved. It has been a prayer offered when decisions needed to be made, often all of them reasonable choices. It has been a prayer for faithful discipleship. Given the complexities of our world, I pass this prayer on to you for you to use when needed.
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. 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. Amen.
Rev. Clara
I have just recently moved back to Old Greenbelt with my husband after having been away for many years. It’s a joy to be back. I hope to visit your church soon. I was especially touched when I came across this prayer by Thomas Merton. It touches me deeply. Thank you for sharing it.