A Prayer

Here is a prayer I have truly come to appreciate in recent days. Um...maybe it helps some to sustain me in the times my character and intentions are called into question. When I am confused because I know my heart's desire...but others (and even myself sometimes) question if not my intentions, my vulnerability to be led astray. I appreciate and value the concern, and I leave the rest to the Spirit. Prayers like this are easier to pray and speak than to live.

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
that 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 will I 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

--Thoughts in Solitude