PRAYERS

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going

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 lost and in the shadow of death, I will not fear, for you are ever with me and will never leave me to face my perils alone.

Thomas Merton, available in Seize the Day: Vocation, Calling, Work, 2012

I have always tried to pray this since I first saw it in the 1970’s. It gives me hope, it gives me peace, but it also challenges me to find that trust and hope in the Risen Christ.

Perhaps we could share a prayer that helps us walk in hope with our God? If you would like to share your prayer, email it to us or drop it into the parish office, so we can all join in prayer with each other, each day and discover new prayers and new companions on our journey.

Fr Paul.

The following is a prayer that means a lot to me. The hymn, found in the Divine Office (Prayer of the Church), is one of four attributed to St. Columba (521-597). As an ageing hermit nearing the end, I find it most reassuring.

Fr. Eugene.

ALONE WITH NONE BUT THEE

Alone with none but thee, my God,

I journey on my way.

What need I fear when thou art near,

O King of night and day?

More safe am I within thy hand

than if a host should round me stand.

My destined time is known to thee,

and death will keep his hour;

did warriors strong around me throng,

they could not stay his power:

no walls of stone can man defend

when thou thy messenger dost send.

My life I yield to thy decree,

and bow to thy control

in peaceful calm, for from thine arm

no power can wrest my soul.

Could earthly omens e’er appal

a man that heeds the heavenly call?

The child of God can fear no ill,

his chosen dread no foe;

we leave our fate with thee, and wait

thy bidding when to go.

‘Tis not from chance our comfort springs.

thou art our trust, O King of kings.

St Columba

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