Prayer for Ordering of Life
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.
Grant, O merciful God, that I may ardently desire, prudently examine, truthfully acknowledge, and perfectly fulfill what is pleasing to You, for the praise and glory of Your holy name.
Direct my life, O my God, and grant that I may know what You would have me to do, and that I may fulfill it as is necessary and profitable to my soul.
Grant to me, O Lord my God, that I may not fail in prosperity or in adversity, that I may not be lifted up by the one nor cast down by the other. May I find joy in nothing but what leads to You, and sorrow in nothing but what leads away from You. May I seek to please none nor fear to displease any, save only You.
May all transient things grow worthless to me for Your sake, and may all that is Yours be dear to me, and You, my God, above them all. May every joy without You weary me, and may I desire nothing apart from You. May every labor for You delight me, and may every rest that is not in You be wearisome.
Grant me often to lift up my heart to You, and to mourn my failings with a firm purpose of amendment.
Make me, O my God, humble without pretense, cheerful without dissipation, sober without depression, mature without severity, lively without levity, truthful without duplicity, fearing You without despair, hoping in You without presumption, correcting my neighbor without arrogance, edifying him by word and example without pretense, obedient without contradiction, patient without murmuring.
Grant me, O most sweet God, a vigilant heart that no subtle speculation may lead from You; a noble heart that no unworthy affection may draw down; an upright heart that no perverse intention may turn aside; an unconquered heart that no tribulation may wear away; and a free heart that no violent passion may claim as its own.
Bestow upon me, O Lord my God, understanding to know You, diligence to seek You, wisdom to find You, a way of life pleasing to You, perseverance in faithfully awaiting You, and confidence in finally embracing You. Grant that by penance I may share in Your sufferings, that by grace I may use Your gifts along the way, and that by glory I may rejoice in Your joys in our homeland. Who live and reign, God, world without end. Amen.
Concede mihi, misericors Deus, quae tibi placita sunt ardenter concupiscere, prudenter investigare, veraciter agnoscere, et perfecte adimplere ad laudem et gloriam nominis tui.
Ordina, Deus meus, statum meum, et quod a me requiris tribue ut sciam, et da exequi sicut oportet et expedit animae meae.
Via mea, Domine, ad te tuta sit, recta et consummata, non deficiens inter prospera et adversa, ut in prosperis tibi gratias referam et in adversis servem patientiam, ut in illis non extollar et in istis non deprimar; de nullo gaudeam nisi quod promoveat me apud te, nec de aliquo doleam nisi quod abducat me a te; nulli placere appetam vel displicere timeam nisi tibi.
Vilescant mihi omnia transitoria propter te, et cara sint mihi omnia tua, et tu, Deus meus, super omnia. Taedeat me omnis gaudii quod est sine te, nec cupiam aliquid quod est extra te. Delectet me labor qui est pro te, et taediosa sit mihi omnis quies quae non est in te.
Frequenter da mihi cor meum ad te dirigere, et defectionem meam cum emendationis proposito dolendo pensare.
Fac me, Deus meus, humilem sine fictione, hilarem sine dissolutione, tristem sine deiectione, maturum sine gravitate, agilem sine levitate, veracem sine duplicitate, te timentem sine desperatione, sperantem sine praesumptione, proximum corrigere sine simulatione, ipsum aedificare verbo et exemplo sine elatione, obedientem sine contradictione, patientem sine murmuratione.
Da mihi, dulcissime Deus, cor pervigil quod nulla abducat a te curiosa cogitatio; da nobile quod nulla deorsum trahat indigna affectio; da invictum quod nulla fatiget tribulatio; da liberum quod nulla sibi vindicet violenta tentatio; et da rectum quod nulla obliquet sinistra intentio.
Largire mihi, Domine Deus meus, intellectum te cognoscentem, diligentiam te quaerentem, sapientiam te invenientem, conversationem tibi placentem, perseverantiam te fideliter expectantem, et fiduciam te finaliter amplectentem; tuis poenis configi per paenitentiam, tuis beneficiis uti in via per gratiam, et tuis gaudiis in patria frui per gloriam. Qui vivis et regnas Deus in saecula saeculorum. Amen.