From Thoughts in Solitude (1958). A trust-prayer for those who feel their way through uncertainty — written by the Trappist monk who became one of the most-read spiritual writers of his century.
Catholic · Modern (18th c.–today)
Prayer of Thomas Merton
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 thy will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please thee
does in fact please thee.
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 thou wilt lead me by the right road,
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust thee always though I may seem to be lost
and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for thou art ever with me,
and thou wilt never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen.