As we begin this New Year, I was conscious that I wanted to begin with a prayer.  I wondered whether or not I should try to compose something myself or turn to a favorite.  I was leaning heavily towards the Prayer of St. Francis when my friend, Tom McGrath, proposed one of Thomas Merton’s prayers.  Especially given our parlous economic climate, it was the perfect suggestion:

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.

From Thoughts in Solitude      

Happy New Year!