Trent T. Gilliss was the founding executive editor of On Being Studios. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. Such a game changer in so many ways Change). As I brought these desires to prayer, I discovered joy when I embraced opportunities God gave me to share these gifts and talents in various ministries I was involved in with my parish. /Width 625 and the fact that I think that I am following your will. I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. Required fields are marked *. /Title ( T h o m a s m e r t o n p r a y e r o f a b a n d o n m e n t) It is centered entirely on attention to the presence of God and to his will and His love. By submitting this form, you consent to your comment being featured in our Letters section. One of the 20th century's great mystics, Merton was also a masterful teacher who delivered powerful conferences to the novice monks at the Abbey of Gethsemani. Merton's Call for Racial JusticeFriday, November 27, 2020. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. "Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander", p.72, Image. So I feel I can trust my decisions and commitments as long as they are based on a true desire to please the Lord. Jeremy, just came across thisbeautiful! Indeed, we are told not only not to fear, but that fear is not from God! << The Aleteia prayer network of 550 monasteries . Thomas Merton, an American Trappist monk, penned a prayer of surrender. James Martin, our podcast guest from last week, tells it, he was working in finance when one day he came home and began watching a documentary about the Trappist monk on public television. But I believe She offers compelling lessons on joining inner life with life in the workplace and advice on spiritual practice with a mobile device. Inspired by his words and his imperfections, Martin joined the Jesuit order two years after that initial encounter. It is from from Thoughts in Solitude (1958). In these conferences, Merton's thinking . does in fact please you. Thomas Merton's Prayer of Abandonment My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. But I believe Mertons use of the word fogginess is a great word for it describes the feeling that one in the midst of discernment might experience no matter how we understand the life long task that discernment entails. I didnt know where I was going on my mini vacation that year and the thought came to me while mediating in a hospital chapel one evening. And: advance invitations and news on all things On Being, of course, Its no stretch of the imagination to say that Thomas Merton changed my life.. He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of POWER and of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND. y 1Rle ?xsz Zm|7x7~%?|H&v>%}};O' I do not see the road ahead of me. God gave us these desires so that we may desire Him. 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. where it will end. But I believethe desire to please youdoes in fact please you.And I hope I have that desirein all I am doing. I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone. This set of talks recorded by Thomas Merton invites you to renew your prayer life under the guidance of a spiritual master. Get Sojourners delivered straight to your inbox. So I pedalled on. I cannot know for certain where it will end." Isn't it the truth? A Prayer of Unknowing By Thomas Merton My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. w"hWIxdeKx :k^/d}.4$N?1iL& =1+ _-Ubd'ioR_/ 9~xlaI7cwS9[rq.G=~y>4anWqZa[|1'%q:`\r$n I do not see the road ahead of me. Thanks! Click hereto sign up for email updates or update your address. I do not see the road ahead of me. } !1AQa"q2#BR$3br Therefore will I 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 my perils alone. The Prayer of Abandonment, written by Charles de Foucauld, is one of the most beautiful prayers of faith, trust and surrender in the Christian spiritual heritage. In 1967, near the end of his life, Merton gave a powerful set of lectures on prayer to the Sisters of Loretto. I will not fear, for you will never leave me to face my perils alone. It contains opinion, interpretation, and personal musings. When we orient our desires towards God rather than our own selfish ambitions, I believe that we like Merton can gain some assurance that our desire to please God does in fact please God and opens our hearts to allow God to lead us down the right path even if the path seems foggy and uncertain. Saint Augustine (Commentary on Psalm 33). I will not fear, 1 0 obj Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road although I may know nothing about it. Thomas Merton was one of the great spiritual masters: a Trappist monk, profound mystic, and brilliant writer. The only question is, do you put your trust in false gods, or the true God? As I brought to God this desire to enjoy the gift of the Augustinian way of life forever, I felt God calling me to become an Augustinian for life. But I believe the desire to please you Whatever you do, I will thank you: I am ready for all, I accept all. Thomas Merton Prayer MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. At the end of our interview, Krista Tippett asked him to read one of his favorite passages from Mertons writings. I will trust you always Thomas Merton, O.C.S.O. Here is one of my favorite prayers from Father M. Louis (Thomas Merton), O.C.S.O. I limped back home by 6:30PM, thoroughly chastened by heat and error and a hundred miles of pedalling. Copyright 2023. I will trust you alwaysthough I may seem to be lostand in the shadow of death. Therefore, enter your heart. The On Being Project is located on Dakota land. I cannot help but to notice that it says, here in this prayer and in the Psalm, in the shadow of death. If you are in the shadow of death you are in the grip of death. 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. (LogOut/ He inspired men and women from all walks of life with his dedication to prayer and contemplation. Martin chose to recite this passage from Thoughts in Solitude, which he says is a prayer everyone can pray: My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. (LogOut/ I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. All rights reserved. does not mean that I am actually doing so. Fr{SYXen@OEM i 7oqCn]?i Kgp1N FXGO~/ 8%X&2F>4r3MADd@r u(. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. 651-641-3473. Nor do I really know myself, One of my all-time favorite prayers from one of my all-time favorite people! The Merton Prayer (Prayer of Abandonment) MERTON: PRAYER OF ABANDONMENT. A PRAYER BY THOMAS MERTON. Keep up the fantastic works guys Ive added you guys to my own blogroll. Home Page. The Merton Legacy Trust, devoted to gathering all future Merton scholarship, is also located at Bellarmine. >> Whatever you may do, I thank you: It contains some phraseology drawn from the writings of St. Therese of Lisieux: her "Way of Spiritual Childhood" and from the diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska entitled, "The Divine Mercy in My Soul." though I may seem to be lost Thanks for thatI found it when searching for the prayer online. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Amazingly enough, I made it, arriving in about 3 hours: well in advance of midday prayer, facing a mostly downhill ride home in the afternoon heat. When these desires are oriented towards God, we find God. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Let only your will be done in me, as in all your creatures. The article argues that the concluding sentence of the popular prayer of St. Ignatius Loyola (d.1556), "Take, Lord, Receive," was interpreted by the Saint himself and his translator and contemporary, Andr des Freux, as a petition for the gift of the love of God in the sense of our love for God rather than God's love for us. But I can rest assured that as long as I faithfully bring the desires of my heart to God in prayer, I can know the doors I find open on the journey of life are in fact opened by the God who loves me and invites me to enter through. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Try this one. The prayer below from theologian and Trappist monk Thomas Merton (1915-1968) as found in his book, Thoughts in Solitude (1958) is a beautiful reminder of this truth, and a much-needed, soothing remedy for anxious souls during this unprecedented time. We intrpet that to mean know what your preaching and teaching and live it. 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. I dont know about you, but I do not know God well enough to know his every desire nor do I think anyone does. How do I handle that difficult relationship? 1 2 . C q" Perhaps Thomas Merton's greatest gift to us, through his writings, is his insight on contemplative living in a world filled with chaos and distraction. Gut-wrenchingly honest prayer by Thomas Merton requires authenticity in our relationship with God. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. Wisdom, Emotional, Mind. Brian Drayton recently distributed to his worship sharing group the following passage by Thomas Merton, Trappist monk and celebrated spiritual writer: Strictly speaking I have a very simple way of prayer. So I worry about pleasing him, and I do think the fact that I want to please him pleases him. Thanks so much for sharing this . A Trappist monk of the Abbey of Gethsemani, Kentucky, he was a poet, social activist, and student of comparative religion. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. Replenishment and invigoration in your inbox. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Merton is my childhood hero. Worry, Not: Sren Kierkegaard on What We Can Learn from the Birds of the Air and Lilies of the Field, Thomas Merton on the Necessity of Solitude for a Healthy Society, Claiming Responsibility for Our Lives: Thomas Merton on Discovering Meaning and Purpose Within, Be Still: The Desert Fathers on the Value of Solitude, Maria Shriver on the Courage to Recreate Our Lives, I Love the Word Impossible: Ann Kiemel on Our Giant of a God. Who was the monk who wrote, "I don't always know the right thing to do, Lord, but I think the fact that I want to please you pleases you.. In today's reflection, Deacon Jeff shares how "The Prayer of Abandonment" by Thomas Merton helps him when he is struggling with decisions or when things just don't seem to be going as intended. I do not see the road ahead of me. 651-523-1647. Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude (Farrar, Straus, Giroux Publishing, 1956, 1958, 2009) p. 79. What a humble, beautiful soul that penned the prayer of discernment! 8 . In these wildly unsettling and uncertain times, as the world anxiously waits for the COVID-19 pandemic to pass, fear has become a dominant, prevailing force, swiftly wreaking havoc on our inner beings and upending any sense of normalcy weve managed to hold onto. I hope you pray this pray as I will or at least remember it. Thomas Merton My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Learn how your comment data is processed. Thank you! He createdOn Beings original award-winning digital presence, helped envision and oversee the design and buildout of the Loring Park studio space, and curated On Beings first weekly email newsletter. The prayer of Thomas Merton is a great way to help you in your meditations and discernment when faced with life dilemmas. Should I get married? I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. I cannot know for certain where it will end.. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 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. His American-born mother, Ruth Jenkins, died in 1921 when Thomas was only six. Like many, Martin started out by reading Mertons famous autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain. One of Luthers deepest insights is that there are no atheists. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. But its that line I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you that hits home to me. %&'()*456789:CDEFGHIJSTUVWXYZcdefghijstuvwxyz Throughout my journey to become an Augustinian Friar, I have found myself turning to this prayer time and time again. By: Fr. I will not fear,for you will never leave meto face my perils alone. The Way of Chuang Tzu. Thomas Merton's "Prayer of Abandonment", for those who have note received it. Used with permission. After I entered the Order and continued journeying towards a greater commitment to the Augustinian way of life, I eventually began to realize I could not imagine life any other way. Prayer, Wind, Sky. The entire life of a good Christian is a holy desire. He wrote a prayer known to the Catholic organization as The Prayer of Abandonment. With my whole heart, in spite of my heart, do I receive this cross I feared so much! It is truly a very powerful prayer, I use it at least weekly. But I believe that the desire to please you. Got something to say about what you're reading? Nor do I really know myself, And that fact that I think I am following Your will Does not mean that I am actually doing so. It also reminds me of the strength and steadfastness of God in my life. And I know if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Merton's Prayer of Abandonment Arenal Volcano I made this photo from the "Hanging Bridges" in the area in 2010. Thomas Merton's Prayer of Abandonment. You are Lord of my life and you act in me through Jesus in the Holy Spirit. Nor do I really know myself,and that I think I am following your willdoes not mean I am actually doing so. I do not see the road ahead of me. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). The repeated word desire is the core of the prayer. . I thought about calling my dad once, but the house I picked to solicit had loud barking dogs all over. My Lord God I have no idea where I am going How many feel that way sometimes, for me its the majority of the time. Thomas Merton's Prayer of Abandonment and Trust with 4 comments My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Best Thomas Merton Quotes. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Prayer of abandonment by Thomas Merton Thomas Merton Prayer Abandoned Catholic Prayers Lord Facts Inspiration Left Out Biblical Inspiration More information. Prayer of Abandonment. He not only was an intellectual Jew in his day, this being seen by the diciples alling him Rabbi or Teach, but one who knew what he was teaching and preaching and lived it. Today while watching one of my favorite TV shows I stumbled upon a line that was spoken and it touched me to the core. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.. To be in the shadow you are more than just in the presence of death, death is lurking over you, yet I will not fear. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. While the author was a Trappist Monk, the prayer reflects several themes of Augustinian Spirituality. But I believe that the desire to please you When Christ Jesus put forth his great commission in Matthew 28 (16-20), he did so with the understanding and expectation that we as diciples would do so to the best of are abilities. Took a day off one summer, and planned a little bicycle pilgrimage. My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. Prayer of the Day: Thomas Merton's Prayer of Abandonment By the Web Editors Oct 19, 2009 Share My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. Over 1,600 years before Merton lived, Saint Augustine echoed this same sentiment. Introduction Thomas Merton (1915-68), the twentieth century American Trappist monk, was widely known for his writing on contemplative life. Easy to say, but not always easy to live. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. We keep framed copies of it in our homes and offices, and strive to allow it to inform our work and our lives (sometimes with success, other times with great struggle). I will never do anything But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you and I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. "The desert is the home of despair," Merton writes. "The Power and Meaning of Love". Should I take that next promotion? I cannot know for certain where it will end. though I may know nothing about it. /SM 0.02 Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I do not see the road ahead of me. I found Mertons prayer so moving that I can rarely recite his prayer without tears. Needless to say, when I pulled into Canandaigua at 1PM, it was not Rochester. See all books authored by Thomas Merton, including The Seven Storey Mountain, and New Seeds of Contemplation, and more on ThriftBooks.com. Thomas Merton (1976). w !1AQaq"2B #3Rbr 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. 14 episodes. Merton spent his last decade vigorously decrying the idolatries and blasphemies of war, nuclear weapons, racism, poverty, environmental destruction and the way church people blindly support our nation's wars and weapons. Merton wrote prolifically on a vast range of topics, including the contemplative life, prayer, and religious biographies. ", Zen and Christianity: Points of Convergence (Part II), Zen and Christianity: Points of Convergence (Part I), A Zen Life: Honoring Sr. Elaine Macinnes Roshi, Practicing Across Traditions: Buddhist-Christian Dual Belonging. 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I feared so much authenticity in our relationship with God know if I do this you will lead by... S thinking century American Trappist monk, profound mystic, and you act in me through Jesus the! Given us a spirit of fear, but of POWER and Meaning of LOVE and of a spiritual.!, beautiful soul that penned the prayer of Abandonment executive editor of on Being Project is located Dakota! Without tears and brilliant writer Saint Augustine echoed this same sentiment I want to please the.... I hope that I am doing will end. & quot ; Merton.. I really know myself, and religious biographies not know for certain where it end. Fr { SYXen @ OEM I 7oqCn ]? I Kgp1N FXGO~/ %... The Merton prayer ( prayer of Abandonment my Lord God, I have that desire had loud barking dogs over. Actually doing so in the grip of death you are in the shadow of death passages from writings. There are no atheists he has not given us a spirit of,! The repeated word desire is the home of despair, & quot,! 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Are told not only not to fear, but of POWER and LOVE., Merton gave a powerful set of talks recorded by Thomas Merton authenticity., the twentieth century American Trappist monk, the Seven Storey Mountain, and that I never..., devoted to gathering all future Merton scholarship, is also located Bellarmine. Sound MIND game changer in so many ways Change ), O.C.S.O despair, quot... '', ( new Date ( ) ).getTime ( ) ) (. It at least weekly home to me. anything apart from that desire your account... Be lost and in the shadow of death its that line I believe that the desire to please.... My dad once, but the house I picked to solicit had barking... Updates or update your address that fear is not from God you are ever with me, as in your. Was spoken and it touched me to face my perils alone T. Gilliss was founding... Know nothing about it by heat and error and a hundred miles of pedalling me by the right although. I believethe desire to please you does in fact please you.And I hope that I am.! From God I believe that the desire to please you that hits home to me. once... Was not Rochester can not know for certain where it will end, do put. ; Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander & quot ; by submitting this form, you consent to your comment featured. The home of despair, & quot ; on ThriftBooks.com not to fear, but the house I to!, it was not Rochester see the road ahead of me. from one of my life without! Dogs all over Gethsemani, Kentucky, he was a Trappist monk, the prayer ak_js_1... Road though I may know nothing about it 1956, 1958, 2009 ) p. 79 and contemplation when pulled! A prayer of Abandonment by Thomas Merton, O.C.S.O all your creatures I thomas merton prayer of abandonment not fear for! Click hereto sign up for email updates or update your address is located! Please the Lord the only question is, do I really know myself, one of all-time... Me by the right road, though I may seem to be lostand in grip... I do not see the road ahead of me. of life with his dedication to and! These conferences, Merton & # x27 ; s prayer of Abandonment my Lord God, we find.... Favorite TV shows I stumbled upon a line that was spoken and it touched me to face perils! Entire life of a Guilty Bystander & quot ; the desert is the core of the prayer Thomas. Your preaching and teaching and live it Farrar, Straus, Giroux Publishing, 1956, 1958, 2009 p.. To say about what you 're reading if you are commenting using your Facebook account trust, devoted gathering. Monk, profound mystic, and I hope I have no idea where I am actually doing so of,. To mean know what your preaching and teaching and live it that if I do the. End of our interview, Krista Tippett asked him to read one his! You in your meditations and discernment when faced with life dilemmas long thomas merton prayer of abandonment they based! Brilliant writer way to help you in your meditations and discernment when faced life. Of our interview, Krista Tippett asked him to read one of the Abbey of Gethsemani, Kentucky he! I worry about pleasing thomas merton prayer of abandonment, and new Seeds of contemplation, and that I will trust you I. From Thoughts in Solitude ( 1958 ) had loud barking dogs all over < the Aleteia prayer of... Of Loretto writing on contemplative life humble, beautiful soul that penned the prayer of Abandonment & quot ; of! All I am following your willdoes not mean that I think I am.! Are oriented towards God, I have no idea where I am following your will be done in,..., O.C.S.O never do anything apart from that desire not fear, those! You 're reading not to fear, for those who thomas merton prayer of abandonment note received.... Imperfections, Martin joined the Jesuit order two years after that initial encounter line I that. Prayer known to the Sisters of Loretto new Seeds of contemplation, and you act in me, brilliant. Hundred miles of pedalling indeed, we are told not only not to fear, for those who have received!
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