Providence Prayer

by Thomas Merton, OCSO

My Lord God, I have no idea where I'm going.

I do not see the road ahead of me,
and I cannot know for certain where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself, and the fact
that I think I am doing your will
does not man I am actually doing so.

But I believe the desire to please you
does in fact please you,
and I hope I have that desire in everything I'm doing.

I hope I will never do anything apart from that desire,
and I know 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.