An Ignatian Prayer Print E-mail
By Tom Donnelly
Sep. 24, 06 21:43
Tags: Catholic, Politics,

I recently ran across one of my favorite prayers -- attributed to Saint Ignasius. With the campaign season kicking into high gear, I thought it a particularly appropriate passage for continued reflection:

 

Lord,

teach me to be generous.

Teach to me to serve you as you deserve;

to give and not to count the costs;

to fight and not to heed the wounds;

to toil and not to seek for rest;

to labor and not to ask for reward,

except to know

that I am doing your will.


LIST OF COMMENTS

1/4. Amen
Written by miggsathon  | Sep. 25, 06 13:55
No matter how much I try to think things through on my own, prayer is the best way to align ourselves with God's purposes.

2/4. Knowing God's Will
Written by Joe Pettit  | Sep. 25, 06 15:08
For the most part, this is a fine prayer. However, the last line is, for me, very problematic. I get very worried when I meet people who “know” that they are doing God’s will. I find such a belief to be unwarranted, prideful, and dangerous. Such individuals often take great satisfaction in upsetting others and ignoring anything useful that others might have to say. After all, why worry about others when one knows that one is doing God’s will? I may hope and pray that I am living as God would have me live. I may seek the justice that God reveals for our world. However, I am too aware of my own limitations and failings to ever “know” that I am doing God’s will. Here’s hoping that faithful democrats avoid confusing and conflating their will with God’s.

3/4. Agreed
Written by tdonnelly  | Sep. 25, 06 15:38
Well put, Joe. I share your general concern. Thanks.

4/4. Amen
Written by georgew  | Sep. 25, 06 23:43
Amen, I say again, Amen. If this sounds quixotic, so be it, windmills to perdition. This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Last Updated ( Sep. 24, 06 23:33 )
 
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