Prayer of Pope Clement XI
Lord, I believe in You: increase my faith.
I trust in You, my God: strengthen my trust.
I love You, Lord: make my love more ardent.
My soul is sorry for its sins: deepen my sorrow.
Guide me, Lord, by Your wisdom; correct me with Your justice;
comfort me with Your mercy; protect me with Your power.
I want, Lord, all that You want, for as long as You want it, because You want it.
Make me, Lord, fervent in my prayer,
moderate in my food, faithful in my work,
firm in my resolutions.
Make me, Lord, friendly in my company,
courteous in my conduct, pure in my speech,
upright in my life.
Behold, Lord, I offer You my thoughts, my words and my actions:
grant that I may think of You, speak of You,
work for You and toil for Your sake.
Fill my heart, Lord, with love for You, with hatred of myself and my vices,
with mercy for my neighbour and contempt for everything worldly.
Help me, Lord, to overcome pleasure by self-denial,
greed by generosity, anger by gentleness and lukewarmness by fervour.
Make me, Lord, prudent in my affairs,
courageous in danger,
patient in hardship, humble in success.
Enlighten my mind, Lord, inflame my will,
purify my body and sanctify my soul.
Help me to see, Lord, how small the earth is and how great heaven is,
how short time is and how long eternity.
Grant me, Lord, to prepare for death,
to fear judgment,
to escape hell and to gain heaven,
that I may glorify You.
Amen.
