The following prayer by Thomas Merton is one that I like to give to graduates when they get anxious about moving on. It’s also a prayer I use myself when I am unsure if I’ve made the right decision. Currently I’m beginning the discernment process about whether or not I’m being called to the diaconate, so I expect to visit this prayer many times over the next few months:
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.
One of my favorite prayers, and it always seems to turn up someplace when I most need to pray it. Discovered your blog just the other day. I’m not a Catholic school teacher, but I strongly support Catholic education. Thank you for the work you do for our children’s future.
Thank you for the kind words, Denise. If it weren’t for people like you who support Catholic education, there would be no Catholic schools. I’m glad Merton’s prayer came along at the right time for you.
Hello, I have been searching google for a Catholic School Teacher’s Blog. This was an assignment I was just given in my Masters Program. I have never blogged before, so I thought I might try a Catholic Site since I teach 4th grade in a Catholic School and I am also a lifetime Catholic. Your prayer from Thomas Merton caught my eye. I have heard this wonderful prayer before. Thanks for grabbing my attention. I think I have finally found the blog I’ve been looking for.
Thanks for the feedback, Kathleen, and welcome. I hope your Master’s program goes well for you.