Let me use all things for one sole reason: to find my joy in giving you glory. Therefore, keep me, above all things, from sin. [...] Give me the strength that waits upon you in silence and peace. Give me humility in which alone is rest, and deliver me from pride which is the heaviest of burdens. And possess my whole heart and soul with the simplicity of love. Occupy my whole life with the one thought and the one desire of love, that I may love not for the sake of merit, not for the sake of perfection, not for the sake of virtue, not for the sake of sanctity, but for you alone. Amen.
The online scriptorium of author and pastor Matthew Burden
Reflections on the Christian Life
Friday, August 25, 2023
A Prayer from Thomas Merton (abridged)
Let me use all things for one sole reason: to find my joy in giving you glory. Therefore, keep me, above all things, from sin. [...] Give me the strength that waits upon you in silence and peace. Give me humility in which alone is rest, and deliver me from pride which is the heaviest of burdens. And possess my whole heart and soul with the simplicity of love. Occupy my whole life with the one thought and the one desire of love, that I may love not for the sake of merit, not for the sake of perfection, not for the sake of virtue, not for the sake of sanctity, but for you alone. Amen.