Pray the Merton Prayer

Thomas Merton was a 20th century Trappist monk, poet, social activist, and author of more than 50 books. This prayer was published in his book Thoughts In Solitude, and it expresses a beautiful trust in God despite confusion and uncertainty. If you've ever felt lost or unsure of who you are or where you are going, this prayer is for you.

The Merton Prayer:
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 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.