We've been praying the Novena for Order faithfully, but one of the reasons I haven't posted much is that I'm feeling less inclined to get on the computer and write for the sake of yapping. This hasn't yet translated into the virtue of not clicking around to kill time, but one step at a time.
For Ordering a Life Wisely
St. Thomas Aquinas
O merciful God, grant that I may
desire ardently,
search prudently,
recognize truly,
and bring to perfect completion
whatever is pleasing to You
for the praise and glory of Your name.
Put my life in good order, O my God
Grant that I may know
what You require me to do.
Bestow upon me
the power to accomplish your will,
as is necessary and fitting
for the salvation of my soul.
Grant to me, O Lord my God,
that I may not falter in times
of prosperity or adversity,
so that I may not be exalted in the former,
nor dejected in the latter.
May I not rejoice in anything
unless it leads me to You;
may I not be saddened by anything
unless it turns me from You.
May I desire to please no one,
nor fear to displease anyone,
but You.
May all transitory things, O Lord,
be worthless to me
and may all things eternal
be ever cherished by me.
May any joy without You
be burdensome for me
and may I not desire anything else
besides You.
May all work, O Lord
delight me when done for Your sake.
and may all repose not centered in You
be ever wearisome for me.
Grant unto me, my God,
that I may direct my heart to You
and that in my failures
I may ever feel remorse for my sins
and never lose the resolve to change.
O Lord my God, make me
submissive without protest,
poor without discouragement,
chaste without regret,
patient without complaint,
humble without posturing,
cheerful without frivolity,
mature without gloom,
and quick-witted without flippancy.
O Lord my God, let me
fear You without losing hope,
be truthful without guile,
do good works without presumption,
rebuke my neighbor without haughtiness,
and -- without hypocrisy --
strengthen him by word and example.
Give to me, O Lord God,
a watchful heart,
which no capricious thought
can lure away from You.
Give to me,
a noble heart,
which no unworthy desire can debase.
Give to me
a resolute heart,
which no evil intention can divert.
Give to me
a stalwart heart,
which no tribulation can overcome.
Give to me
a temperate heart,
which no violent passion can enslave.
Give to me, O Lord my God,
understanding of You,
diligence in seeking You,
wisdom in finding You,
discourse ever pleasing to You,
perseverance in waiting for You,
and confidence in finally embracing You.
Grant
that with Your hardships
I may be burdened in reparation here,
that Your benefits
I may use in gratitude upon the way,
that in Your joys
I may delight by glorifying You
in the Kingdom of Heaven.
You Who live and reign,
God, world without end.
Amen.
3 comments:
So, the novena is bearing fruit for you (ordering your time more wisely)! The prayer is wonderful - I have been praying it every day and have passed it along to a good friend who is also seeking order in her life. After reading your initial novena post last week, I realized that "order" is meant to be my word for the year, both as a noun and a verb. I've been contemplating ("unpacking") the word and the call for the past several days, so thank you.
Thanks, nancyo. We're already finding it bearing fruit, but not in the ways we expected. Also, I'm finding that remembering the words of the prayer during the day are helping me to overcome certain temptations. It's such a beautiful prayer that I feel it's beneficial just to ask for such noble intentions, as opposed to my habit of fragmentary, half-formed prayers during the day: "Why, God?" or "Bless them..." or "Okay..." or "If it's your will..."
Thank you for this.
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