In the midst of Lent it is important to focus yourself on Jesus.
Jesus is the reason we celebrate Easter, the truth that changes our lives and the light that rescues us from darkness. Easter isn’t just a springtime celebration, it’s a time to remember and re-dedicate ourselves to a life surrendered to living for Him.
A time to seek Him and confirm our beliefs.
I’m usually not one to follow a scripted religious prayer, other than what we read in scripture. However, in this case the following prayer, introduced to me by my coworker and friend Colleen, has grabbed my attention and boarders on a study of dedicated belief.
I intend to read and study this petition as I look forward to re-dedicating my life to Jesus this Easter.
Please join me.
The Universal Prayer (Pope Clement Xi, circa 1700)
Lord Jesus, I believe in you: increase my faith.
I trust in you: strengthen my trust. I love you: let me love you more and more. I am sorry for my sins: deepen my sorrow.
I worship you as my first beginning, I worship you as my first beginning, I long for you as my last end, I praise you as my constant helper, And call on you as my loving protector.
Guide me by your wisdom, Correct me with your justice, Comfort me with your mercy, Protect me with your power.
I offer you, Lord, my thoughts: to be fixed on you; My words: to have you for their theme; My actions: to reflect my love for you; My sufferings: to be endured for your greater glory.
I want to do what you ask of me: In the way you ask, For as long as you ask, Because you ask it.
Lord, enlighten my understanding, Strengthen my will, Purify my heart, and make me holy.
Help me to repent of my past sins And to resist temptation in the future. Help me to rise above my human weaknesses And to grow stronger as a Christian.
Let me love you, my Lord and my God, And see myself as I really am: A pilgrim in this world, A Christian called to respect and love All whose lives I touch, Those under my authority, My friends and my enemies.
Help me to conquer anger with gentleness, Greed by generosity, Apathy by fervor. Help me to forget myself And reach out toward others.
Make me prudent in planning, Courageous in taking risks. Make me patient in suffering, unassuming in prosperity.
Keep me, Lord, attentive at prayer, Temperate in food and drink, Diligent in my work, Firm in my good intentions.
Let my conscience be clear, My conduct without fault, My speech blameless, My life well-ordered. Put me on guard against my human weaknesses. Let me cherish your love for me, Keep your law, And come at last to your salvation.
Teach me to realize that this world is passing, That my true future is the happiness of heaven, That life on earth is short, And the life to come eternal.
Help me to prepare for death With a proper fear of judgment, And a greater trust in your goodness. Lead me safely through death To the endless joy of heaven.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
