The Prayer of Surrender by Thomas Merton

THE PRAYER OF SURRENDER, by 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 that I am following your will 

does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that 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 if I do this, you will lead me through the right road 

though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore, I will 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 peril alone.