This prayer helps me to get through another night.
Merton's Prayer
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
Dear Jesus, Emmanuel, It is for you that we have this day. For you are the reason that we gather together to feast upon our bounty that you have given us. We give to our loved ones our gifts, just as gifts were brought to you at your birth, so that we might remember that your love and life are present in each and every one of us. Just as Mother Mary was given the gift of Motherhood in that stable long ago, I too have known the joy of holding a precious life in my arms, when you gave me the gift of Jennifer, Heather and Casey and then again with the birth of Adrianna. Please Dear Lord, you delivered Mary and Joseph into Bethlehem safely through terror and trials, let it be your will to bring Jennifer and Adrianna home again also. If it be your will, make my family whole again. Thank you Jesus, for the gift of my children, thank you for allowing me to have Jennifer and Adrianna in my life. Amen.
