This Thomas Merton Dude

At church one evening, one of my friends at the jail shared this prayer with the group. It was a prayer he had been meditating on over the week. The prayer is powerful, but his introduction to the prayer was priceless.

"Man,

I don't know who this Thomas Merton dude is,

but this prayer is awesome!

Check this out."

Then he shared this prayer. A prayer that was made all the more powerful because I know this man has walked a tough road. A road filled with the people, places, and things that made the walk challenging. A road filled with a lifetime of questioning, wandering, and searching. A road filled with more obstacles and resistance than I can imagine. His road is still filled with mystery and uncertainty, but he now this road is now opening because of a change of heart and a change of mind. I've spent enough time with him to know that he truly desires to live right and serve God and others. He has new hope, and to hear him speak the words of this prayer was a precious gift. This prayer touched him. It touches me. I hope it touches you. And I'm pretty sure "this Thomas Merton dude" would be touched by this man's new story and new path. Enjoy the day!

Thomas Merton Prayer

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

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,